Synovus banks give "flat" card statements a new dimension
At a glance, CardView offers a stronger online connection for customers and merchants
Columbus, Ga., May 31, 2001 - Through an exciting partnership, Synovus Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries have launched CardView.com, a free online service that allows customers of its affiliate and correspondent banks to view their monthly personal credit card statements in fascinating new detail. This product represents incredible innovations in customer privacy and direct marketing for retailers and other merchants.
CardViewSM presents real-time account summaries and daily transaction details online. In addition to basic information, like the merchant’s address, phone number and date of purchase, CardView also allows customers to sort their transactions by date, merchant or amount, or even connect directly to merchant websites for information and online shopping through an Illuminated StatementTM. The statement itself also provides targeted, customized offers for cardholders. Customers with personal credit cards issued by Synovus affiliate or correspondent banks are eligible for the free service when they register at CardView.com. (Some minimum computer and Internet specifications apply.)
Through CardView.com, the online credit card statement becomes a central point for customers’ monthly purchasing information, connecting customers directly, efficiently and conveniently to their financial institutions and the merchants they do business with. CardView converts credit card statements from a business expense into a marketing opportunity. Merchants can more accurately and efficiently reach qualified customers with targeted messages, and thus reduce mass marketing or advertising expenses. The customers choose how or if they will interact online with the merchants they have already chosen to do business with.
When customers register, a mini-application, or "applet," is installed on their computer browser. This applet matches personal transactions with purchase categories; it is only active while the customer is using CardView.com. The profile, in turn, filters messages from marketers that match the customer’s spending patterns from those that do not, so the customer only receives pertinent information.
The process is entirely private because all the customer’s personal information stays on his or her computer. No one — including Synovus, its partners, other financial institutions or merchants — has access to that information.
CardView was developed through a partnership among Columbus Bank and Trust Company, the lead bank of Synovus; DotsConnectSM, an e-payments products and services affiliate of Synovus; and Encirq Corporation, the San Francisco-based online marketing services company that developed the Illuminated Statement.
About Synovus
Synovus Financial Corp. (NYSE: "SNV") is a multi-financial services company with more than $15.2 billion in assets. With $3.4 billion in assets, Columbus Bank and Trust Company (www.columbusbankandtrust.com), is Georgia’s second-largest bank. Based in Columbus, Ga., Synovus is composed of 39 banks in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Florida; an 80.8-percent stake in TSYS (NYSE: "TSS") (www.tsys.com), one of the world’s leading payment services providers; DotsConnect, which delivers and hosts online credit card management solutions; Synovus Wealth Management, a marketing unit for securities, trust, insurance and private banking services; Synovus Mortgage Corp.; and Synovus Leasing Services. Synovus is No. 8 on FORTUNE magazine’s list of the "100 Best Companies to Work for" in 2001. See Synovus on the Web at www.synovus.com.
About DotsConnect
DotsConnect (www.dotsconnect.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of TSYS, delivers and hosts solutions that span the end-to-end interactive account care spectrum — from account acquisition to bill payment. Delivered in a turnkey ASP model, DotsConnect’s products and services are designed to integrate seamlessly with unique e-business environments, bringing all the benefits of the Internet to its clients with minimal effort and investment. DotsConnect Hosting Information Systems is a business segment of DotsConnect that focuses on meeting e-businesses demand for complex/dedicated Web hosting solutions, providing real-time data access, above-standard security and scalable capacity.
About Encirq
Encirq Corporation is an online marketing services company that delivers personalized marketing in a way that protects consumer privacy. It has developed a unique data engine to deliver individualized, consumer-centered marketing over the Internet in such a way that no third party collects the consumer’s personal data. The company’s goal is to create the de facto standard for personalization, with privacy. The company was founded in San Francisco, Calif., in March 1998. Encirq’s investors include GE Capital, J.P. Morgan Partners, Technology Partners, Charter Ventures, Financial Technology Ventures and Shamrock Holdings. Encirq can be found on the Internet at www.encirq.com.
Contacts:
Eric S. Bruner
Media Relations
ph. (706) 644-8457