Illustration of a pre-paid MasterCard issued by SafeCharge - Global Banking & Finance Review
Image depicting a pre-paid MasterCard representing SafeCharge's new card issuing division approved by MasterCard Europe, enhancing their financial services.
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MASTERCARD EUROPE GRANTS SAFECHARGE APPROVAL FOR ISSUING ACTIVITY

Published by Gbaf News

Posted on December 12, 2014

2 min read
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MasterCard Europe Grants SafeCharge Approval

New Card Issuing Division and Executive Vice President appointed

SafeCharge International Group Limited, (AIM: SCH) the international provider of payments services, risk management and IT solutions for online businessesannounced that the Group has been granted approval for Issuing Activity from MasterCard Europe.

Ali Khwaja

Ali Khwaja

Details of MasterCard Europe Principal Membership

The approval by MasterCard Europe, which is an extension of the Company’s Principal Membership, will allow SafeCharge to issue pre-paid MasterCard products.

SafeCharge Launches Card Issuing Division

Additionally, the Company has appointed Ali Farid Khwaja CFA as Executive Vice President of its new Card Issuing Division. Mr Khwaja, who will join the Company in February 2015, is formerly a Financial Technology Analyst at Berenberg, where he specialised in the payments space. Prior to Berenberg, Ali was responsible for investments in emerging markets and a Technology Analyst at UBS. He is a graduate of Oxford University where he was a Rhodes Scholar.

CEO Comments on MasterCard Approval Milestone

David Avgi, SafeCharge’s Chief Executive, said: “The extension of our MasterCard Principal Membership is another achievement for SafeCharge. The approval enables us to issue our own and co-branded pre-paid cards and is a significant step in building a new pillar to our business. We are excited to be continuing to expand our product offering, entering into a new and large market sector and to welcome Ali to drive its growth.”

Key Takeaways

  • SafeCharge received approval from MasterCard Europe to issue pre-paid MasterCard products.
  • This approval extends the company’s Principal Membership enabling issuance of own and co‑branded cards.
  • Ali Farid Khwaja CFA was appointed Executive Vice President of the new Card Issuing Division, joining in February 2015.
  • The move is a strategic step to expand SafeCharge’s product offering into prepaid card services.

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What approval has SafeCharge received?
SafeCharge was granted Issuing Activity approval from MasterCard Europe, allowing it to issue pre‑paid MasterCard products.
What does the approval enable SafeCharge to do?
It enables the company to issue both its own and co‑branded pre‑paid MasterCard cards, expanding its service offering.
Who has been appointed to lead the new division?
Ali Farid Khwaja CFA has been appointed as Executive Vice President of the new Card Issuing Division, joining in February 2015.
What is the strategic significance of this development?
This marks a significant step in building a new business pillar through prepaid card issuance and broadening SafeCharge’s product portfolio.

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