The ANZ Visa debit card will be introduced progressively to ANZ customers in Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Timor-Leste, Fiji, Kiribati, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Tonga during 2010.
The five-year Visa-exclusive deal continues to build on the current collaboration between ANZ and Visa which began in Australia and New Zealand in 2005.
ANZ Visa debit can be used to purchase goods at more than 29 million Visa merchants, including at point of sale, the internet or telephone as well as the card can be used to withdraw cash at 1.5 million ATMs displaying the Visa or PLUS logo.
Funds for purchases and ATM withdrawals are drawn directly from the cardholder’s ANZ bank account. Additionally, ANZ Visa debit cardholders also benefit from a rewards program, ANZ Spot, which provides special privileges and facilities from selected merchants throughout Asia Pacific.
Alex Thursby, CEO of Asia Pacific, Europe and America at ANZ, said: “We’re pleased to expand this strategic partnership with Visa across Asia Pacific to meet the needs of customers. The ANZ Visa debit card gives customers across Asia Pacific access to a simple and reliable transaction account, with the convenience of shopping online, over the counter, in other countries, or over the phone using their own money.”
Rahul Khosla, head of products at Asia Pacific, Central Europe, Middle East and Africa at Visa, said: “Consumers the world over are looking for modern, secure and convenient ways to pay with their own money and Visa debit meets this need. As ANZ continues its expansion strategy in Asia we expect that Visa debit will play an important role in helping to build ANZ’s brand and presence in the region.”
