JCB, a major global payment brand, and JCB International, JCB’s
international subsidiary, have announced the signing of an agreement
with China Merchants Bank (CMB), one of the major commercial banks in
the region, for issuing JCB brand cards in China. CMB began offering
international branded JCB CMB Hello Kitty Fan’s Credit Card on March 1,
with designs featuring ‘Hello Kitty’ and ‘Dear Daniel’ licensed by
Sanrio (Shanghai) Int’l Trade Co., Ltd.
The agreement with CMB, the largest credit card issuer with more than 10
million cards in China, is JCB’s fourth card issuing alliance in the
region. Based on years of successful experience with Hello Kitty design
JCB cards in other Asian regions, JCB brought the proposal to CMB for
issuing value added cards with the character, which is popular across a
wide segment of Chinese consumers. CMB Hello Kitty Fan’s Credit Card
offered by CMB will accelerate further expansion of JCB as a global
credit card brand in the Chinese payment market.
Kunio Yoshizawa, President and COO at JCB International, said, “We have
been actively focusing on forming alliances to expand JCB card issuing
in China, and are pleased and honored to be launching business with
China Merchants Bank, holder of the largest share of the credit card
numbers issued in China in this vast potential market. We anticipate the
launch of JCB CMB Hello Kitty Fan’s Credit Card will significantly
increase the awareness of JCB brand in Chinese consumers.”
JCB and JCB International have been expanding the acceptance network in
China in co-operation with major local banks and financial institutions
since 1982, right after the launch of JCB’s overseas operation as a
global payment brand. While in the past the purpose of expanding the JCB
brand network in China was mainly to enhance acceptance for JCB
cardmembers traveling from Japan and other Asian countries, the rapid
growth in the Chinese economy has driven demand for international credit
card issuing, making the country one of the most important markets for
JCB issuing. In recent years JCB has been forming a number of new
issuing partnerships to meet the diverse needs of Chinese consumers. In
December 2006 Bank of China launched a co-branded JCB card with a major
household appliance retail chain in China, and in February 2007 China
Everbright Bank began offering co-branded JCB cards tied to a major
fashion magazine publisher in the region.
The CMB Hello Kitty Fan’s Credit Card is available in two designs: one
appealing to more traditional Chinese tastes, and one featuring a more
European look. In addition to the attractive design targeting Hello
Kitty fans, there is a great selection of services for a diverse range
of cardmembers.
About JCB CMB Hello Kitty Fan’s Credit Card
Major Functions:
– International acceptance with JCB, the global payment brand
– Dual Currency settlement (USD and RMB)
– No Annual Fee for the first year – no annual fee for subsequent years
when the card is used 6 times within the year, otherwise an annual fee
of RMB 100 applies
– Applicable to residents in China
Major Benefits for Cardmembers:
– Earn reward points that allow cardmembers to exchange for selected
Hello Kitty items
– Receive a 50% discount for monthly selection of Hello Kitty items
– Enjoy a special website exclusive for cardmembers on the CMB website
– (Limited period offer at card launch campaign)
Cardmembers who spend a certain amount with the card during the launch
campaign are entitled to join a draw to win a discounted tour to
Sanrio’s Harmonyland in Kyushu, Japan.
