Keycorp Limited , a global supplier of secure electronic
transaction solutions, has announced that Banamex, one of the leading
banks in Mexico, is ready to issue both Visa and MasterCard EMV chip
cards using Keycorp’s MULTOS smartcard technology.
The move to MULTOS technology has been made in the Banamex
personalization bureau to allow greater flexibility in issuing both card
brands, simplifying card issuance and personalization and providing
greater choice for future applications.
MULTOS is a flexible, secure, and cost effective smartcard operating
system used for banking and payments. Key features are its high security
architecture, ability to co-house multiple, independent applications
securely and its ability to remotely load and delete applications
throughout the lifecycle of the card.
Luis Cirerol, new technologies manager, Banamex, said, “We have
implemented MULTOS in our personalization center to issue both Visa and
MasterCard using the same smart card platform. The flexibility of the
MULTOS system also means an open card supply chain, improved issuance
times, cost reduction and opportunities to increase our value-add with
additional applications. Already, we have launched a pilot project for
contactless payments using a MULTOS dual interface card bringing
increased value to our cardholders.
Richard Cusson, general manager, Smartcard Technologies, Keycorp, said
“Dual issuers worldwide are taking note of the advantages of the MULTOS
system in simplifying their EMV processes. We are pleased to be working
with Banamex on this exciting project in Mexico. This is a further
example of a large card issuer taking control over the supply chain by
switching to an open smart card platform and no longer being locked into
a single supplier at any stage in the supply chain.”**
Bob Beer, director of software, Datacard, said, “One of the biggest
challenges and most frustrating issues that Datacard and its customers
face in the EMV Issuing market is supporting a multiple native card
issuing environment with its ever changing chip personalities. When
Datacard was given the opportunity to work with a progressive customer
like Banamex and consolidate its native card environment to a single
platform we welcomed and embraced the opportunity to combine our
standards based GlobalPlatform Profiles and Scripting technology with
Keycorp’s MULTOS step/one platform to provide an operationally elegant,
fast, extensible and cost effective issuing solution. We would hope that
others in the financial market will take note of what Banamex has
achieved in operational efficiency and follow suit.”
About Keycorp
Keycorp Limited is a global provider of secure electronic
transactions with solutions from smartcards and point-of-service
transaction systems to managed services.**
Keycorp’s electronic payment terminals include smartcard-capable online
and offline terminals capable of processing credit, charge, debit and
stored value transactions.
The terminals are designed for use at a retail point of sale, over the
phone, in mobile environments or via the Internet, and can communicate
with host systems via fixed or mobile communications.
Keycorp is a founding member of the MULTOS consortium, which has
responsibility for developing the MULTOS multi-application smartcard
operating system. Keycorp develops and distributes smartcard operating
systems such as MULTOS, as well as smartcard applications.
About Banamex
Grupo Financiero Banamex Financial Group is a member of Citigroup, Inc.,
and it is the leading financial group of Mexico, with Banco Nacional de
Mexico (Banamex), established in 1884. Through its affiliates, the Group
maintains a preeminent position in the financial markets of the country,
including deposits, consumer financing, management of mutual funds and
retirement funds, banking, services, pensions, and stock brokerage. The
Group has an extensive distribution network of more than 1,400 branches
and 5,800 ATMs located in the entire country.
About Datacard
Datacard Group offers the world’s best-selling secure ID and card
personalization solutions. The company’s portfolio includes systems for
high-volume card issuance, card delivery, secure ID issuance and
passport production, plus extensive service and supply offerings.
Datacard Group serves customers in more than 120 countries
(www.datacard.com).
