INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 7, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Locker 81, Inc. and Tim Brown are proud to announce their working relationship with Carded Benefits, Inc. in the development, endorsement, and promotion of the Tim Brown DEBUT(tm) Prepaid MasterCard(r) Card program. The program offers a safe, convenient, fast and secure method of payment and sharing of funds.
Tim Brown stated, "This card provides real benefits for real people." When asked what motivated him after retirement to work on a debit card program he said, "Being smart with your money is an important life lesson, and this card program will assist people in getting out of a 'cash only' environment while also providing security against loss and theft."
The Tim Brown DEBUT Prepaid MasterCard will allow Tim Brown, football and racing fans alike to take control of their financial futures by delivering many of the perks of a major credit card, without difficult qualification requirements, a bank account or interest fees.
Dr. Denis Waitley of Life Skills Alliance, a world-renowned best selling author and keynote speaker on achieving excellence in life and financial principles stated, "Every thirty seconds, some new technological company produces yet another innovation. Success in this new era is heavily dependent upon innovation, creativity and solving problems for which there are no precedents. While new technology is often the driver of economic and social change, the real opportunities are created by individuals who apply technology in new ways." He continues, "I highly recommend and endorse the use of a debit card program with the benefits offered by the Tim Brown DEBUT Prepaid MasterCard."
The Tim Brown DEBUT Prepaid MasterCard provides benefits to any customer and offers particular value to the following:
Young Adults -- The Tim Brown DEBUT Prepaid MasterCard gives college students and teenagers over 18 spending freedom and flexibility without having to open a bank account. It also creates self-sufficiency while instilling valuable budgeting habits and responsible money management.
Dr. Waitley recognized, "The Tim Brown DEBUT Prepaid MasterCard will help mentor and motivate young adults and teenagers to develop deliberate skills in money management."
Tim Brown, a twenty year advocate of young people's education and safety added, "This program offers a dynamic tool to help parents ground their young adult children in real world money management skills, while training them to protect their financial futures."
Unbanked Adults -- Many adults do not hold accounts at banks or credit unions, but still hold significant purchasing power.
Recent Immigrants -- Estimates report that only half of recent immigrants have a bank account, yet $13.3 billion was sent by immigrants back to Mexico alone in 2003. The Tim Brown DEBUT Prepaid MasterCard may facilitate cross border fund sharing at significant savings when compared to other methods, such as check cashing or wire transfers, which often carry high fees.
The Tim Brown DEBUT Prepaid MasterCard is issued by MetaBank under License of MasterCard(r) International and processed by PrimePoint Systems. It can be used at millions of locations that accept debit MasterCard(r) cards, Maestro(r) cards, Cirrus(r) cards, and STAR(r) and Pulse(r) networks. Money can be accessed at more than 900,000 ATMs that display the MasterCard(r), Maestro(r), Cirrus(r) brand marks, STAR(r) and Pulse(r) network symbols.
"As a tenured NFL player, Heisman trophy winner and now former Oakland Raider, Tim Brown is a man who has always been at the top of his game. He knows what he wants and where he is going," revealed Timothy Sutter, Chairman of Carded Benefits, Inc. "We are proud to provide in conjunction with our trusted partners yet another platform for Tim Brown to reach out to his diverse fan base. A real card, providing real benefits, in real time," continued Mr. Sutter.
Tim Brown concluded, "I am excited to be associated and working closely with such an experienced team moving this program forward, and I hope my fans see this card as a way to manage their money more effectively."
The Tim Brown DEBUT Prepaid MasterCard Card is expected to be available in major retail locations across the U.S. by the end of this year.
About Carded Benefits, Inc.
Carded Benefits is a Florida corporation whose parties possess expertise, resources and relationships in the areas of development, marketing, sales, processing, administration and distribution of credit and stored value cards, group benefits and related programs. Carded Benefits is owned by four corporations, including but not limited to Innovative Navigational Strategies, Inc. The marketing and sales for programs of Carded Benefits is handled through contract affiliates. Carded Benefits, Inc., receives its licensing and authority to transact business from the master sales and licensing agreement maintained with Innovative Navigational Strategies, Inc. For more information about Carded Benefits, Inc., or business opportunity contacts, direct inquiry to Robert W. Weinberg, Sr. Vice President 561-482-1250.
About PrimePoint Systems
PrimePoint Systems, LLC is dedicated to helping to create wealth -- not debt -- for millions of Americans. Relying on the DEBUT(tm) Debit MasterCard(r) Card creates sound, practical money management skills in real time. PrimePoint Systems helps DEBUT(tm) cardholders get out of -- and stay out of -- debt, and creates personal wealth and financial peace of mind. Join the DEBUT(tm) revolution today -- because everyone deserves to build their future on dreams . . . not debt.
About MetaBank
MetaBank is a federally-chartered savings bank, Meta Payment Systems (MPS) is a division of MetaBank. Meta Financial Group, Inc. is bank holding company for MetaBank, a federally chartered thrift, MetaBank West Central, and Meta Payment Systems. The company, founded in 1954, converted from mutual ownership to stock ownership in 1993 and is traded on the (Nasdaq:CASH). MetaBank is the issuer of the DEBUT(tm) Debit MasterCard(r) Card pursuant to license by MasterCard International.
About MasterCard International
MasterCard International is a leading global payments solutions company that provides a broad variety of innovative services in support of our global members' credit, deposit access, electronic cash, business-to-business and related payment programs. MasterCard International manages a family of well-known, widely accepted payment card brands including MasterCard(r), Maestro(r) and Cirrus(r) and serves financial institutions, consumers and businesses in over 210 countries and territories. The MasterCard award-winning Priceless(r) advertising campaign is now seen in 96 countries and in 48 languages, giving the MasterCard brand a truly global reach and scope. For more information go to http://www.mastercardinternational.com or refer to our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.