WesternCard Express Program enabled by Macalla

Macalla and WesternCard Association & Partners will launch the ‘WesternCard Express Program'. This programme is a worldwide m-payment service using the Macalla mobile transactions platform.

The WesternCard Express Program takes advantage of the near universal penetration of mobile communications devices and continued growth in broadband networks to enable a full range of mobile financial transactions and services. This includes m-wallet, peer to peer payment, top-up, airtime exchange and banking services.

"Working in conjunction with our consultants, WesternCard researched the entire market. Macalla was the only company to meet all of our mobile transaction requirements," comments Carolyn Jones, president, WesternCard Association & Partners.

"We had a comprehensive set of real-time financial transaction requirements and Macalla's executive team had the relevant experience with our target market,” Jones continues. “An added bonus is that the project will be easy to manage as Macalla provides the core mobile financial services within one platform."

A large percentage of consumers in low and middle income economies do not have access to banks, financial services, ATMs or credit of any kind. The WesternCard Express Program has targeted this group with a range of easily accessible, affordable financial services including electronic wallet linked payment card. The companion card works as a credit or debit card and caters to this underserved population. The WesternCard Express Program allows prepaid service subscribers to top-up and make purchases all over the world via the mobile phone or over the internet.

Additionally, the WesternCard Express Program will serve the increasingly mobile youth and student community providing them access to financial services directly to their most personal and important device, the mobile telephone.

"The project is due to commence in Q2, 2008," says Niall O'Cleirigh, CEO, Macalla. “The initial launch will be in West Africa, Western Europe and North American countries with a focus on serving immigrant and remittance corridors."