MasterCard (NYSE: MA) today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Pinpoint Pty. Ltd. (“Pinpoint”) , a leading provider of loyalty and rewards services to financial institutions across the Asia Pacific region. This acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2014.

Pinpoint, which was founded in 1984 and headquartered in Sydney, is Australia’s leading rewards program manager, with a growing footprint across the region into key markets such as China, Hong Kong, India, Taiwan and Japan. Its customer base includes financial institutions and merchants.

This acquisition, in combination with MasterCard’s capabilities, will benefit issuers, providing them more effective and efficient rewards programs to offer their customers. It will also help merchants target new customers while retaining their existing client base, allowing them to grow their businesses and raise profitability. Consumers will enjoy the wider choice of relevant, quality and timely offers; their shopping experiences will be enhanced by the integration of payments and rewards.

Commenting on the acquisition, Vicky Bindra, president, Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa, MasterCard said, “Bringing innovative and personalized rewards solutions to cardholders and customers is a priority for MasterCard. This is why it’s exciting when we come across companies such as Pinpoint that excel in this area. Not only does Pinpoint offer a competitive edge in Australia, its growing presence across Asia Pacific also holds much promise and will allow us to offer more effective programs to our customers and cardholders.”

Kim Harding, Founder of Pinpoint said, “Becoming a part of the MasterCard family is an exciting step for our entire team as we look to build on our core business and grow our customer relationships across the region. Our 30 years of expertise in loyalty and rewards services, combined with MasterCard’s existing programs and vast network will position us strongly to deliver a whole new level of innovative services to our customers.”

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

About MasterCard:

MasterCard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard’s products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNews, join the discussion on the Cashless Pioneers Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.

Forward Looking Statements:

Statements in this press release which are not historical facts, including statements about MasterCard’s plans, strategies, beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking and subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Accordingly, except for the company’s ongoing obligations under the U.S. federal securities laws, the company does not intend to update or otherwise revise the forward-looking information to reflect actual results of operations, changes in financial condition, changes in estimates, expectations or assumptions, changes in general economic or industry conditions or other circumstances arising and/or existing since the preparation of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of any unanticipated events. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements related to the Company’s ability to:

  • get the regulatory approvals to allow closing of the transaction in the second quarter of 2014; and
  • MasterCard’s strategy and the impact of the acquisition on its offerings.

Actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements for a number of reasons, including those set forth in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and Current Reports on Form 8-K that have been filed with the SEC during 2014, as well as reasons including difficulties, delays or the inability of the company to achieve its strategic initiatives set forth above. Factors other than those listed above could also cause the company’s results to differ materially from expected results.