January 10, 2012 08:00 AM Eastern Time
Three Arizona Credit Unions Pilot First-of-its-Kind Gift Card Program
MESA, Ariz.--()--Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) and Better ATM Services® (www.betteratmservices.com), a technology innovator in the ATM industry, today announced the ability to dispense Visa Gift cards in addition to cash at existing ATMs, expanding the value and services delivered by ATMs. An in-market pilot program is currently underway offering Visa Gift cards at walk-up and drive-through ATMs in select locations throughout Arizona. Credit Union West, MariSol Federal Credit Union, and Pinal County Federal Credit Union are participating in the first pilot programs, and have already begun offering their members this quick and easy way to purchase Visa Gift cards.“Our focus is on delivering value and convenience to our members who regularly purchase gift cards for special occasions”
“Our focus is on delivering value and convenience to our members who regularly purchase gift cards for special occasions,” said Robert W. MacGregor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Credit Union West. “We’re seeing gift cards become more popular as a way to give family and friends the opportunity to choose a gift they really want or need. Our relationship with Better ATM Services® and Visa is a terrific way to meet our customer’s needs, while increasing our line of value driven products and services.”
With this introduction, ATM menu screens now include a “Purchase Visa Gift Card” option and prompt to designate the value to load on each card. Cards are available with no activation fee in $25 denominations during the pilot. The new ATM-dispensed Visa Gift card is made of a durable yet thinner material, which allows cards to easily pass through the cash mechanisms of ATMs.
Mesa, Arizona-based Better ATM Services® is the technology innovator that conceived the groundbreaking, patented technology thatenables the secure and convenient sale of prepaid cards through ATMs. Better ATM Services® CEO Todd L. Nuttall said this is just the first step. “When ATMs were first introduced in the 1970s, consumers began a love affair with the very best in time and place convenient banking services and today we continue to expand those benefits through new innovations. We are working with ATM manufacturers, independent sales organizations, and financial institutions to make ATM-dispensed gift cards a common offering at ATMs throughout the country,” said Nuttall.
“Our participation in this pilot with Better ATM Services® and three Arizona credit unions is part of our ongoing commitment to supporting prepaid innovation and expanding access to Visa prepaid products; delivering value to our financial institution clients, consumers and merchants,” said Hyung Choi, Head of US Prepaid, Visa Inc.
According to Visa’s recent gift giving survey, 85 percent of U.S. consumers would appreciate receiving a branded gift card, like a Visa Gift card. More than eight in 10 consumers planned to give friends and family gift cards over the holiday shopping season, according to a survey by BIGresearch and the National Retail Federation (NRF). The study shows to date, gift cards are the most requested holiday gift – the fifth year in a row they have topped the list.
About Better ATM Services®:
Better ATM Services® (www.betteratmservices.com), a Mesa, Arizona-based company, supplies patented technology that enables an ATM to dispense gift cards and other prepaid media like currency. To find out more about this technology innovator, visitwww.betteratmservices.com or email pr@betteratmservices.com.