TSYS announced today that it would begin processing Visa-branded prepaid cards for the Japanese market in July 2009. The prepaid cards will be issued by Travel Bank Inc., a financial services company that is part of the JTB Group. Consumers can use the cards to make payments at Visa merchants when traveling overseas or to withdraw cash from Visa ATMs.
“Prepaid cards are a trusted alternative to travelers’ checks in many countries, and the number of issuers that are interested in prepaid is increasing worldwide,” says Gaylon Jowers, President of TSYS International. “We are delighted to be expanding service to the Japanese tourism industry, and we applaud Travel Bank’s decision to offer prepaid cards that are safe, flexible and can satisfy consumers’ unique needs.”
“We are confident that Japanese consumers who travel overseas will find Visa-branded prepaid cards to be a convenient way to pay when traveling abroad,” says Hitoshi Kondo, managing director of TSYS Japan. “We have been working with Travel Bank on its retail gift products for more than a year and are proud to expand our partnership to provide service to Japan’s largest travel agency group.”
D.C.