Debenhams Prepaid MasterCard launched by PrePay Technologies

02 June 2008

Debenhams® Prepaid MasterCard® launched by PrePay Technologies

Debenhams, Britain’s favourite department store, announces the launch of the Debenhams Prepaid MasterCard card created, managed and operated by PrePay Technologies, the market leader in stored value card solutions.

The Debenhams Prepaid MasterCard works in the same way as a pay as you go phone and can be topped up with cash at any Debenhams store across the UK, completely free. The card can also be topped up at tens of thousands of locations across the UK that are part of the 360money network, including all PayPoint outlets, The Post Office® (fees apply), or by direct transfer from a bank account. Users can also have their wages paid directly on to the card.

MasterCard branded, the card can be used to shop at over 25 million retail locations around the globe including millions of high street and online retailers that accept the MasterCard^{brand without the fear of fraud or spending more than the value loaded on to the card. Redemption of funds loaded onto the card is free in all Debenhams stores. The Debenhams Prepaid MasterCard can be used to withdraw cash from ATMs, and it is Chip and PIN enabled to give users safety and control. Behind the scenes, the scheme is powered by PrePay Technologies on their 360money platform, the UK’s biggest prepaid network, providing consumers 24/7 secure online access to their account.}

The Debenhams Prepaid MasterCard^{is not linked to a bank account and no credit check is required to apply for one. The card is being marketed and sold through bespoke 360money starter packs in Debenhams stores, and is also available at http://www.debenhams.com/prepaid}

Anthony Graham, Marketing Director at PrePay Technologies, commented; “The US has led the way in prepaid cards and retail distribution has been the cornerstone of that success. The expertise we have developed in managing gift card programmes makes it a natural fit for us to extend this competence to prepaid debit cards in the retail arena. We are delighted to welcome Debenhams into the ever growing 360money portfolio. We have a clear strategy of leveraging our world class prepaid platform to develop and manage prepaid programmes for some of the World’s leading companies. This strategy has been endorsed with Debenhams joining Virgin Money, Mirror Group Newspapers, Western Union and many others in the 360money family. We very much look forward to working with Debenhams and delivering an excellent product to their customers.”

Matt Howe, Director of Retail Giftcards at Debenhams, added: "We have worked with Prepay Technologies since 2001 on our highly successful gift card programme. Their expertise in the prepaid market made for a natural extension to this valued relationship and has enabled us to develop an innovative product for our customers. The card will be free to top up and use in Debenhams and will provide a safe and secure way for them to enjoy online and holiday spending.”

Debenhams joins a growing number of blue chip clients including Western Union, Virgin Money, Mirror Group Newspapers, Habib Bank AG Zurich, COMET, Ticketmaster, Clydesdale & Yorkshire Bank, ACCOR and the Arcadia Group who are benefiting from the portfolio of prepaid solutions designed and delivered by PrePay Technologies Ltd.

- Ends -

Notes to Editors

► About PrePay Technologies

PrePay Technologies Ltd is Europe’s leading prepaid services company and a fully owned subsidiary of Accor Services, the world’s largest issuer of prepaid services to the Corporate and Government sectors. Recognised as the market leader in designing and delivering host-based stored value card solutions including prepaid debit, retail gift, corporate incentive & benefits and payroll & expense cards; PrePay Technologies operates from its data centres in the UK.

The company creates stored-value programmes and manages several million card accounts for blue chip companies such as Virgin Money, Mirror Group Newspapers, Debenhams, Ticketmaster, Comet, BHS, Buyagift.com, New Look, Clydesdale Bank, Yorkshire Bank, Debenhams, Habib Bank AG Zurich, Rugby Football Union (RFU), the Arcadia Group, Topshop, Topman, Burton, Miss Selfridge, Outfit, Evans, Dorothy Perkins, Wallis, Capital Incentives (ACCOR), Laura Ashley, Capital Incentive, P&MM, Family Fund, LOVEFiLM and Gift Days Out amongst others.

PrePay Technologies focuses solely on the overall prepaid sector, giving it unrivalled understanding of the market and its potential for development including an in-depth understanding of the regulatory and operational frontiers, which vary greatly from the US model. For this reason, PrePay Technologies also manages all regulatory aspects including liaison with regulatory bodies and money laundering compliance.

MasterCard^® certified, EMV Chip & PIN Compliant and FSA regulated; PrePay Technologies Limited is licensed to issue e-money across Europe.

PrePay Technologies is also the company behind Splash Plastic, a reloadable prepaid Maestro card targeted at the youth and unbanked markets and the 360money Affinity programme, Britain’s largest prepaid network, providing prepaid card accounts with access to a nationwide network of over 34,000 high street top up units.

One of Accor’s two core businesses, Accor Services designs and deploys innovative solutions to improve the productivity of companies and public institutions and the well-being of employees and citizens.

For further information please contact:

Richard Kirk Tel: +44 (0) 207 0344 344

Marketing Executive E-mail: richard.kirk@prepaytec.com

Website: www.prepaytec.com

► About Debenhams

Debenhams is a leading department stores group with a strong presence in key product categories, such as womenswear, menswear, homeware and health and beauty.

Debenhams has a total of 136 department stores in the UK and Republic Ireland and 10 Desire by Debenhams stores, which are a new small store concept featuring a mix of womenswear, accessories, lingerie, cosmetics and childrenswear. Debenhams has a further 40 international franchise stores in 16 countries and an online store, www.debenhams.com, through which much of the Debenhams’ range is available.

Debenhams is the second largest department store chain in the UK.