Alfa-Bank and the magazine Cosmopolitan present the first ever co-brand bank card for women in Russia Alfa-Bank - Cosmopolitan - Visa

Alfa-Bank — Cosmopolitan — Visa — is the first ever women’s’ bank card in Russia issued by Alfa-Bank together with the magazine Cosmopolitan — a leader in the market of glossy periodicals for young women. The product was designed specially to meet their personal needs and lifestyle of young women. This card is unique since it replaces a number of discount cards allowing consumers to use it for their purchases with substantial discounts in the top brand stores and studios, including those, which never conduct sales campaigns.

The holder of Alfa-Bank — Cosmopolitan — Visa is entitled to discounts up to 15 percent while using it for the purchase of goods and services in different stores of Moscow, cafes, spas studios, travel agencies, fitness clubs and other places. The members of the program include outlets and brands that are well-known and popular among young women, in particular, “Ile de Beaute”, “Shokoladnitsa”, “Persona LAB”, “DIXIS”, “Zolotaya strekoza”, “Benetton”, Glenfield, Sasch, “Estelle Adony”, NIKE, Motivi, “Krasny Kub”, Ozon.ru and many others, — some 30 partners in total. And, the list is constantly growing. Furthermore, each cardholder will have exclusive access to closed pre-sales campaigns in trade outlets-partners and to special occasions (fashion shows, concerts, new collections parade and etc.), as well as gifts from partners while accepting the card and effecting purchases.

Alfa-Bank — Cosmopolitan — Visa can serve as a debit and credit card. The Alfa-Bank — Cosmopolitan — Visa credit card provides for an interest free lending period for 60 days. The lending limit is from $3,000 to $12,000.

In addition to the principal card, Alfa-Bank will also issue Visa Mini — the first ever woman’s bank card in mini-card form in Russia. This card is almost twice as small as a standard card, but with it every transaction can be made also, except for cash withdrawal from a cash dispenser. The partners believe that the novelty is likely to become a popular accessory of Moscow’s fashionable women.

“The Russian banking sector has become more deliberate, with consumers demanding and receiving more choice and selection in banking products, -, therefore, „sector“ banking products aimed at a specific category of consumers are on the rise. It is a very dynamically developing business representing also an image project for us. To the year end, we plan to issue at least 10 thousand Alfa-Bank — Cosmopolitan — Visa cards, and in 2008 — to expand the scope of the project covering the largest Russian cities — Saint-Petersburg, Ekaterinburg, Samara, Nizhny Novgorod, Novosibirsk”, — underlined Sergei Malishev, Head of Strategic Partnership at Alfa-Bank.

“The launch of the bank card — is a brand new experience for a woman’s magazine. The Alfa-Bank — Cosmopolitan — Visa card has a number of advantages. The uniqueness of the offer, meeting expectations of a target audience, and a serious partner are the guarantee of success. We actually estimate this as a large-sale project that will allow us to increase the loyalty of our existing audience, attract new customers, and increase sources of revenue”, — noted Ekaterina Kabakchi, the publisher of Cosmopolitan magazines.

“Payment card Alfa-Bank — Cosmopolitan — Visa is a striking example of the individual Bank’s approach to work with their clients. Today, when there are more than 30 million Visa cards in circulation in Russia, our banks-members should not only offer a convenient payment means to their clients, but supplement it with additional functions to fit personal needs of the client. Let me congratulate the representatives of the fair sex with a new, stylish and useful Alfa-Bank’ Visa — Cosmopolitan card”, — noted Igor Gaidarzhi, Deputy Head of Business Development, representative office of Visa in Moscow.

Alfa-Bank together with the World Wildlife Fund launched international plastic card Visa Classic

Alfa-Bank together with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) — Russia issued the Visa Alfa Bank Express — WWF Russia co-brand card. This card enables the Bank’s customers to make their contribution to wildlife conservation in Russia: 0,3% of the amount of each purchase effected with the use of the card shall be transferred at the expense of the Bank to WWF, which will allocate these funds to environmental projects.

The new card “Visa Alfa Bank Express — WWF Russia” can serve as a main or supplementary debit card to the Bank’s customer tariff plan “Class!”, “Style”, “Status” and “Corporate”. To obtain the card customers only need to call the Telephone center on tel.+7 (095) 78-888-78 or approach any branch of Alfa Bank Express.

The Visa Alfa Bank Express — WWF Russia card also can be used as a usual means of payment to everyday purchases and cash withdrawal, both in Russia and abroad. Additionally, discounts of the Bank’s partners apply to the card.

In addition, Alfa-Bank allows its customers to transfer a one-off contribution to WWF Russia, and fill-in a standing order for an automatic transfer of some amount in favor of WWF Russia.
If the amount of contributions has exceeded 300 rubles during the year the Bank’s customer will be posted the WWF Russia supporter certificate, booklet “Welcome” and will become a member of the WWF’s “Panda” contributors group. If the contribution amount has exceeded 3,000 rubles during the year the Bank’s customer shall be awarded an honorary status “Earth keeper”. Each “keeper” will receive the “Silver Panda” badge, an individual certificate and a chance to participate in the WWF activities that include trips to reserves and national parks of Russia.

“The issue of the co-brand card with Alfa-Bank is a unique project of WWF in Russia. With this initiative we strive to draw attention of people towards the environment preservation”, — noted Alexander Gafin, a Member of the Board of Directors at Alfa-Bank.

The issue of the Visa Alfa Bank Express — WWF Russia co-brand card became possible due to the technological redesign of the SmartVista software that forms a base of the Bank’s processing center. The works were accomplished by the company Banking Production Center (BPC).

Visa International officially affirms stable operation of Alfa-Bank's Visa cards

“Visa International was ascertained by Alfa-Bank that the bank has sufficient funds to cover all Visa card transactions, — said Oliver Hughes, Deputy Director, Visa Office in Russia. — All Alfa-Bank’s Visa cards are continuing to operate in a normal business order both using the bank’s retail network and through ATMs in Alfa-Bank’s branches and in other banks in Russia and abroad”.

In connection with the Visa statement, Alexander Gafin, member of the Board in Alfa-Bank, said: “Despite the excessive withdrawals witnessed during the last two days in the market of plastic cards we confirm that all Alfa-Bank’s plastic cards are accepted for payment in restaurants and stores, and may be used to withdraw cash. In case of any problems the customers must apply to the bank for prompt solution. One of our priorities has always been to render high-class services to the holders of Alfa-Bank’s cards, and the Bank is doing its utmost in this area”.

For additional information contact:

Alexandra Poylova
The Willard Group/Burson-MarstellerMoscow
Tel. +7 095 775-47-95

Alfa-Bank Ukraine becomes a member of Visa International

Alfa-Bank Ukraine is planning to issue the basic Visa card category with hryvna and US dollar accounts. The first issue is expected to take place in October 2001.

Utilizing Alfa-Bank's plastic card business experience in Russia, the Ukrainian subsidiary intends to offer its clients high service for plastic cards, and even additional card products and services.

In December 2000 Alfa-Bank's subsidiary in Kazakhstan became a member of Visa International through sponsorship by Alfa-Bank (Moscow).

This year Alfa-Bank is planning to act as a sponsor for other Russian banks which intend to use the international payment system.

Alfa-Bank Ukraine is the successor of Kievinvestbank, through which Alfa Group expended its banking business in the Ukraine. Alfa-Bank Ukraine was registered by the National Bank of the Ukraine on January 26, 2001, and received its banking license February 15, 2001

VISA-Alfamobile - brand of the year 2000

The awards ceremony for the winners took place at the Marriott Grand Hotel on November 1, 2000. Alfa-Bank was the only bank that was a winner in the contest.

The VISA-Alfamobile program was launched in September 1999. The card was considered to be the first that had all the benefits of the international card VISA with added discounts and service offers for car owners.

Towards June 2000 the product's popularity in the whole product line reached 38 percent. Its use was higher than VISA's regular card. During VISA-Alfamobile's promotion sales of other Alfa-Bank cards increased 15-20 percent.

VISA International certifiesTP-CMS installment system for Alfa-Bank

This is one of the first products on the market which was designed to support the multi-functional smart-card and Internet payments. Banks in ten countries on all continents currently utilize TP-CMS. Three projects are being utilized in Russia. The Bank Processing Center came forward with system integration in Russian and foreign projects.

Alfa-Bank's Senior Vice-President Vladimir Izutin commented, "Certification of TP-CMS in VISA International completes a routine step to begin 1999 by integrating services of all bank cards on the basis of complex solutions provided by IFS International. The solution incorporating TP-CMS and TP-II allows a single technology and program to service all local and card technologies of international standards, as well as providing the possibility to work with future technologies Ц EMV smart-card and Internet payments."

Loginov stressed, "Alfa-Bank is Russia's first that managed to value the potential of the new product on its own merit. We are happy that they could warrant the trust of the bank. Following success on the international market, IFS International's new product gained recognition, one of the most technologically advanced among financial institutions of Russia. We hope to announce the completion of the TP-CMS certification in international payment systems for two well-known banks by the end of the year."

Alfa-Bank and Tyumen Oil Company begin joint Visa-Alfamobile program

Visa-Alfamobile cardholders receive discounts of 5% to 30% for car rentals, insurance policies, service centers, parts, legal assistance and technical help in case of emergencies.
Since May 2000, car owners holding Visa-Alfamobile cards can save money practically every day.

According to the joint project of Alfa-Bank and Tyumen Oil Company, a 3% discount is available for those who use Visa-Alfamobile cards at Tyumen Oil service stations in Moscow.

Currently, the project contains ten Tyumen Oil service stations, including the stations at 60 October Street, Ryabinovaya Street, Shipilovskaya and Montazhnaya Street in North Butovo. By the year's end, 30 stations will be a part of the program.

Visa-Alfamobile cardholders can not only depend on high quality gas and diesel fuel at Tyumen Oil service stations, but constant savings. In order to receive discounts at Tyumen Oil service stations, Alfa-Bank clients must use the chip-based card that has access to respective Visa-Alfamobile accounts.

Alfa-Bank established daily limits for discounts. Visa-Alfamobile Classic cardholders can purchase up to 40 liters a day, and Visa-Alfamobile Gold cardholders can purchase up to 100 liters a day.

At the beginning of the project, Alfa-Bank and the Tyumen Oil Company announced introducing low fees for Visa-Alfamobile Classic from April 15 to June 15, 2000. Fees for opening and servicing a Visa-Alfamobile Classic account will be USD60, not USD80.

Alfa-Bank has issued more than 3,000 Visa-Alfamobile cards. Discounts are available at more than 200 retail outlets in 12 cities throughout Russia.

Detailed information regarding Visa-Alfamobile and discount places is available at Alfa-Bank offices by calling (095) 755-7777.

Press Relations Alfa-Bank
Tel. +7 095 204-79-82
Fax +7 095 204-74-41

Press Relations Tyumen Oil Company
Tel. +7 095 745-78-46
Fax +7 095 959-72-96

Alfa-Bank expands it Visa Alfamobile program

The rate at which new Alfa-Bank Visa Alfamobile cards are issued for car lovers surpasses the Bank’s forecast. The new program is very popular among Russian car owners as well as foreign car owners. Visa Alfamobile holders not only can shop and withdraw cash in any country of the world, but can considerably cut car expenses.

In four months, 70 new companies joined the program including Urartu Service, VMK Peugeot, Ital Service, Yukos Garant and Auto Spectrum. The number jumped to 100 participants at the beginning of February. The program currently not only exists in Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod, but in Omsk, Tyumen, Novosibirsk, Samara and Angarsk.