PayCenter GmbH Introduces the First JCB-girocard Co-badged Card in Germany

TOKYO, Mar 31, 2016 - (ACN Newswire) - JCB International Co, Ltd. ("JCBI"), the international operations subsidiary of JCB, PayCenter GmbH, a leading prepaid card issuer, and petaFuel, a card processor of PayCenter introduce the first JCB-girocard co-badged card in Germany. The product named "CardDuo" is a prepaid card which combines the functionalities of JCB alongside girocard (payment scheme operated by the German Banking Industry Committee). By operating with both JCB and girocard applications, cardmembers can access JCB's Merchant and ATM network in Europe as well as nationwide girocard acceptance points in Germany, consisting of approximately 770,000 POS terminals and 60,000 ATMs. The brand-new product is not only the first prepaid card co-badged with girocard, but becomes the first JCB prepaid card issued in Europe.Kimihisa Imada, Deputy President of JCBI stated, "I am delighted with this new card by PayCenter, who have long experience in issuing prepaid cards and providing comprehensive services utilizing the latest IT technology. A JCB-girocard co-badged card will be a brand new option that satisfies the diversified needs of a variety of customers throughout Germany. I want to stress that the launch of JCB cards in Germany, one of Europe's economic powerhouses, is an important milestone for our business expansion throughout Europe. From this position, we will continue our efforts to strengthen the presence of the JCB brand and to provide greater benefit to our customers".

"We are very pleased and excited about the launch of the prepaid JCB-girocard co-badged card. It's a great honor for us to have such a global payment brand as a partner. This new partnership will allow us to provide services for everyone in Germany with a newly created product called "CardDuo". CardDuo combines the well-established girocard network with the highly rewarding and successful JCB brand. We will additionally be introducing other attractive benefits and services to JCB cardmembers," said Dr. Peter Schonweitz, Business Development Manager of PayCenter GmbH.

"CardDuo issued by PayCenter has comprehensive features and functions which include access to both JCB and girocard merchant networks, cash access at ATMs, online account functions, and more. Users will spend less time on managing their money and more time on enjoying life. petaFuel, as the card processing partner of PayCenter, is very excited to assist PayCenter in further developing, implementing and delivering a highly secure JCB girocard co-badged card," said Ludwig Adam, Chief Technology Officer of petaFuel GmbH.

About PayCenter

PayCenter GmbH is the first German E-Money institution approved and licensed by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) with its own German Bank Identifier Code. PayCenter GmbH is headquartered in Freising and also has a branch in Stuttgart. It is regulated by BaFin and focuses primarily on the prepaid card market. In conjunction with petaFuel GmbH, the qualified IT service provider, PayCenter further develops, implements and delivers highly secure payment products such as online bank accounts. For more information about PayCenter, visit www.paycenter.de

About petaFuel

petaFuel GmbH is an IT service provider dealing with software developments for business solutions in the financial sector. petaFuel also provides support for internal IT projects, other payment systems (SSL Banking, HBCI server, online brokering) to medium-sized and private European banks. As a certified processor, petaFuel manages the prepaid card (for worldwide use) processing for cards issued by several German financial institutions. All petaFuel processing infrastructure is developed in-house. For more information about petaFuel, visit www.petafuel.de

About JCB

JCB is a global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes around 30 million merchants and over 1 million cash advance locations in 190 countries and territories. JCB cards are now issued in 21 countries and territories, with more than 93 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with more than 350 leading banks and financial institutions globally, increasing its merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. More information about JCB is also available on the website: www.jcbcorporate.com/english

Note: JCB statistics are as of the end of December 2015.

Contact:

JCB International Co., Ltd.Ayako TanakaCorporate PlanningTel: +81-3-5778-8390Email: jcbinternational-pr@info.jcb.co.jp

PayCenter GmbHDr. Peter SchonweitzTel: +49-(0)8161-40-60-215Fax: +49-(0)8161-40-60-401Email: info@PayCenter.de

petaFuel GmbHLudwig AdamTel: +49-(0)8161-40-60-202Fax: +49-(0)8160-40-60-401Email: info@petafuel.de