Canadian Tire Financial Services launches innovative new MasterCard card

Uniquely shaped card offers valuable cash back rewards

TORONTO , Sept. 29 /CNW/ - Canadian Tire Financial Services and MasterCard Worldwide are introducing a uniquely shaped credit card with contactless technology featuring cash back rewards, tailored to young professionals. The new Canadian Tire Curve(TM) MasterCard(R) with the PayPass(TM) feature has no annual fee, offers valuable cash rewards on new purchases made at more than 29 million merchants around the world and is now available by visiting www.thecurvecard.com.

"The Curve MasterCard offers our customers cash back rewards and lots of flexibility at a time of life when they really need it," says Jim Kozack, vice president, Marketing, Canadian Tire Financial Services Limited. "At Canadian Tire Financial Services, we believe in keeping customers for life. This means offering innovative financial products that respond to our customers' own priorities and needs with the right value and service to help them along their way."

"The card's fun, distinct shape is merged with secure contactless PayPass technology delivered by Giesecke & Devrient and is the first of its kind in Canada ," commented Willis Morettin, senior vice president Sales & Marketing, Giesecke & Devrient Canada . "We are proud to play our part in delivering cutting-edge technology that is both remarkable and relevant."

To celebrate the pilot launch of the Curve MasterCard, Canadian Tire Financial Services Limited is holding a video contest that asks card members to submit a video demonstrating how they 'stand out from the crowd'. The grand prize features a star-studded trip for two to an awards show in Los Angeles , compliments of MasterCard. The last day for video submissions is November 13, 2009 and all entries can be submitted online at www.thecurvecard.com.

The Curve MasterCard is just one of a number of innovative products offered through Canadian Tire Financial Services. The Curve MasterCard is issued by Canadian Tire Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Canadian Tire Financial Services Limited. More information on the new card and its exciting features can be found at www.thecurvecard.com.

Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (TSX: CTC, CTC.a), operates an inter-related network of businesses engaged in retail, financial services and petroleum. The Company operates more than 1,200 stores, gas bars and car washes, including the country's most-shopped general merchandise retailer. Canadian Tire Financial Services Limited manages approximately 5.0 million Canadian Tire branded credit cards on behalf of Canadian Tire Bank and markets related financial products and services for retail and petroleum customers. More than 57,000 Canadians work across Canadian Tire's organization from coast-to-coast in the enterprise's retail, financial services, and petroleum businesses.

    
    Giesecke & Devrient
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Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) is a leading international technology provider headquartered in Munich , Germany . With a headcount of around 10,000 employees, the Group generated sales of EUR 1.7 billion in fiscal 2008. Founded in 1852, G&D is a global market leader and pioneering innovator in banknote production and processing, smart card solutions for telecommunications and electronic payment, and security documents and identification systems. 49 subsidiaries and joint ventures across more than 30 countries ensure customer proximity worldwide. For more information, visit www.gi-de.com.

    
    (R)/(TM) MasterCard is a registered trademark, and PayPass is a
    trademark, of MasterCard International Incorporated.
    

For further information: Lisa Gibson, Canadian Tire, [phone]