STRATEGIC PARTNERS
February 21, 2002
TOKYO -- Japanese city banks are beginning to provide new avenues for their ATM cards, according to the Nikkei Financial Daily.
Competition to increase the usefulness of the cards has been growing as banks come to view them as a strategic product to help develop retail business.
On Jan. 11, seven city banks along with the Tokyo metropolitan government will begin testing a system allowing users to purchase subway passes with their cards. Two thousand cardholders will be selected to participate in the study.
In addition, Sanwa Bank's card can now be used to pay for domestic and foreign travel packages, via machines installed in convenience stores.
