The Tribune

MORE than 25 years after Commonwealth Bank introduced SunCard as the first Bahamian dollar credit card, it yesterday announced it will marry the brand with the strength and loyalty programmes of MasterCard.

“We are very pleased to announce that effective June 16, the new co-branded SunCard MasterCard will be available to Commonwealth Bank customers,” said Ian Jennings, its president. “It is a testament to the strength and stability of Commonwealth Bank, and the reputation of SunCard, that MasterCard has come on board for this partnership which is actually a triangle of respected brands – Commonwealth Bank, SunCard and MasterCard.”

Current SunCard holders will be issued the new co-branded card before June 16, with applications for new cards being processed after that date.

The new card will expand SunCard privileges to everywhere MasterCard is accepted in the Bahamas, allowing cardholders to exercise the benefits of membership - and enjoy the rewards - for MasterCard members, all with a Bahamian dollar card.
 Under the co-branding, customers will be also able to go online to check card activity, track purchases and pay the bill. Twenty-four hour support will be available, and customers will be able to use their SunCard MasterCard at any Commonwealth Bank ABM or local MasterCard ABM for Bahamian dollar cash withdrawals.
 Commonwealth Bank first launched the Bahamian dollar credit card, SunCard, in 1986, creating the first Bahamian-dollar card for the nation. s.
 In 2003, the bank issued the first Commonwealth Bank MasterCard, which is accepted at MasterCard merchants and ABMs worldwide.

The marrying of SunCard with the MasterCard Worldwide brand links the Bahamian bank with some 6,000 shareholders and nearly $1.5 billion in assets to the financial transaction company with some 6,700 employees, who process over $18 billion payments a year.