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Bank of Shanghai to Launch JCB Brand Card Issuing in June
Tokyo, May 30 2005 - JCB, a leading international payment brand,
is happy to announce the June launch of a new Bank of Shanghai Shen
Card (JCB) to be issued by Bank of Shanghai (BOS). JCBI and BOS,
one of China's largest commercial banks, signed a licensing agreement
in October of last year for card issuing in China, and the Bank
of Shanghai Shen Card (JCB) will be the first JCB brand credit card
issued by the Bank of Shanghai.
The new BOS Shen Card (JCB) will be denominated in both local Chinese
currency and US dollars and be issued in both Standard and Gold.
As an international brand card for the general Chinese populace,
the card is targeted at Shanghai's business travelers and other
consumers requiring enhanced card payment usability. BOS is targeting
50,000 cardmembers in the first year alone through active promotion
of the new BOS Shen Card (JCB).
"We are very pleased to partner with Bank of Shanghai. Above
all, its issuing license means that BOS can take advantage of JCB's
40 years of experience in the credit card industry and extensive
infrastructure in Asia to develop even higher quality services for
JCB cardmembers in China" said Mr. Kunio Yoshizawa, President
of JCB International Co., Ltd. "By combining Bank of Shanghai's
expertise in its local customer relationships and their dynamic
local operations with our global acceptance network, we can expect
a synergetic effect that will offer both Bank of Shanghai and JCB
the opportunity to increase share in the international credit card
market in China," he added.
The BOS Shen Card (JCB) carries worldwide acceptance through JCB's
12.2 million merchant network located in 190 countries and territories.
Cardmembers will enjoy special discounts at Bank of Shanghai serviced
merchants, while cardmember services provided by the JCB brand include
access to JCB Plaza customer service centers in 31 popular destinations
around the world as well as other value-added benefits.
Also, JCB is currently working with other leading Japanese partners
to develop new services for JCB cardmembers in China. Examples include
offering discounted package prices for tours in Japan and special
deals on mobile phone rental in Japan. Exclusive services such as
these provided in cooperation with partners are a significant element
in the JCB brand value proposition.
Since 1982, JCB has partnered with prestigious financial institutions
in China for merchant services, to meet increasing demand from JCB
cardmembers who travel to and within China. Bank of Shanghai is
the second major bank to start issuing JCB brand cards in China,
following Bank of China in April of this year.
Rapid growth in the Chinese economy such as the increase in air
travel between China and Japan, the openings of big global events
like the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and the Shanghai World Expo in
2010 indicate that the Chinese market is one of the largest potential
credit card markets in the world. In anticipation of this growth,
JCB has been focusing on expanding relationships with licensee issuers
in China in order to establish a business base for the JCB brand.

About Bank of Shanghai
As a joint-stock commercial bank set up on Dec. 29, 1995, the Bank
of Shanghai (hereinafter "the Bank") features a two-level
operating structure within one legal entity, with the paid-up capital
booked at RMB 2.6 billion, comprising government-owned shares and
shares held by corporations and by numerous individuals.
By taking advantage of its unique features as a local joint-stock
commercial bank, the Bank has reaped great economic and social benefits
from its prudent management and operational excellence.
In the Banker's top 1000 ranking in July 2004, the Bank was No.
344 among the 500 largest banks around the globe. In Sep. 1999 and
Dec. 2001, the Bank received equity investments from International
Finance Corporation (a member of the World Bank Group), Hong Kong
and Shanghai Banking Corporation, and Hong Kong-based Shanghai Commercial
Bank, representing a significant step closer towards a modern commercial
bank aligned with international standards. For further information,
please visit at: www.bankofshanghai.com
About JCB Co., Ltd.
JCB is an international credit card brand and the largest card issuer
and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in
1961 and began expanding overseas in 1981. Its merchant network
includes 12.2 million merchants and spans 190 countries and territories.
JCB cards are now issued in 18 countries and territories, with 53.59
million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy,
JCB has formed alliances with more than 320 leading banks and financial
institutions globally to increase merchant coverage and cardmember
base. JCB's corporate philosophy of "Service from the heart",
a commitment to responsive and high-quality service, continues to
guide it as it creates the future together with its customers, merchants
and partners. For further information, please visit the JCB Co.
Ltd. home page at: www.jcb-global.com/english
or www.jcbcorporate.com/english.
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