Ameriprise Financial, MasterCard Launch Credit, Debit Product Suite

“As America’s leader in financial planning1, we at Ameriprise Financial are focused on helping our clients achieve their financial goals,” said Joe Sweeney, president of financial planning products and services for Ameriprise Financial. “We’re confident this new suite of payment cards will be a powerful tool for clients and will help them manage both sides of their balance sheet – assets and liabilities.”

The World and World Elite MasterCard cards offer the ability to earn points towards numerous rewards, conveniences and special access to fine dining, plush spas, high-end shopping, live performing arts events, golf, and other MasterCard® Unique Experiences™. The World Elite card is a premium program with exclusive perks including complimentary airport club access with free visits at over 500 clubs worldwide, 24/7 concierge service, as well as a personal travel consultant and other extraordinary travel privileges through MasterCard’s relationship with Virtuoso, the leader in luxury travel.

“MasterCard’s global acceptance, superior service model and customized benefits targeted at the affluent market made this alliance a good fit for Ameriprise Financial,” said Jeff Williams, president of Ameriprise Bank, FSB. “Our best clients will receive a tiered menu of benefits and rewards to complement their unique lifestyles, dreams and goals. This includes the distinctive ability to convert rewards points into a deposit for qualifying Ameriprise Financial investment accounts. They can use points toward a customized dream vacation today or save for tomorrow.”

Clients earn points through card spending with bonus points for Ameriprise Financial products purchased on the card. Points can be redeemed for travel, entertainment, retail, and charitable giving options; unique experiences such as high-end vacation or shopping experiences; or special Ameriprise Financial options, including 1 percent to 1.5 percent cash back into Ameriprise Financial accounts, financial planning fees or product discounts.

“Today’s announcement is a win-win for MasterCard and Ameriprise Financial,” said Bill Mathis, group executive, U.S. relationship management, MasterCard Worldwide. “Our superior worldwide acceptance will give Ameriprise Financial the opportunity to provide its customers with a new level of access and convenience. At the same time, Ameriprise Financial is creating an expanded avenue through which we at MasterCard can reach affluent consumers with our luxury offers and extraordinary experiences.”

The Ameriprise World Elite MasterCard and Ameriprise World MasterCard are an important component of the Ameriprise Financial client loyalty program, Achiever Circle. This program rivals others in the industry with a wide array of rewards and unique experiences. As a member of the Achiever Circle clients have access to an annual fee-waived Ameriprise World MasterCard and Achiever Circle Elite clients have access to an annual fee-waived Ameriprise World Elite MasterCard.

The premium credit cards are part of a suite of products that include the Ameriprise Bank Debit MasterCard launched in December 2007 and available to clients with an Ameriprise ONE Financial Account. With the debit card, clients now have access to more than 25 million acceptance locations and 1.8 million ATMs and other locations where cash may be obtained.

Barclaycard US was selected as the service provider for account acquisition, marketing, fulfillment, billing, customer support, rewards program and other program management services for the product suite.

“The Barclaycard US platform is ideally suited for Ameriprise Financial in delivering unique value to its clients” said Lloyd M. Wirshba, Chief Executive Officer, Barclaycard US. “We are delighted that Ameriprise Financial chose Barclaycard US and we look forward to launching this one-of-a-kind program.”