JCB Expands Acceptance Network in Austria; Agreement Signed with Europay Austria, a Major Payment Solutions Provider in Central and Eastern Europe.

Tokyo, Japan, Nov 16, 2006 - (JCN Newswire) - JCB, a major global payment brand, today announced that its international operations subsidiary, JCB International, signed an agreement with Europay Austria, a major payment solutions provider in Austria, to expand JCB's acceptance network in Central and Eastern Europe. In mid-2007, Europay Austria will phase in acquiring JCB merchants and processing sales transactions, and will complete opening its network of 94,000 merchants in Austria by the end of December 2007. The agreement also includes Europay Austria's merchant network of Central and Eastern Europe.

The number of Japanese tourists visiting this area is increasing dramatically. According to national tourism offices, more than 270,000 Japanese travelers visited Austria in 2005 (up 8.6% from the previous year), more than 150,000 Japanese travelers to the Czech Republic (up 26.5% from the previous year) and more than 98,000 to the city of Budapest in Hungary (up 28.8% from the previous year). In this regard, JCB, which has 57.70 million cardmembers mainly in Japan and other Asian countries, considers Central and Eastern Europe one of the most important target markets, especially in terms of card acceptance.

"Currently, JCB is acquiring merchants on its own here in Austria," said Mr. Thomas Heigl, General Manager of JCB International (Austria) GmbH. "But as the numbers of travelers from abroad is expanding and their purposes and needs for traveling are changing, I believe that the licensee arrangement with Europay Austria, which has a solid merchant and cardmember base here, will greatly increase our cardmembers' level of convenience in the region."

Europay Austria is equally convinced that the agreement with JCB will be a successful one. Dr. Ewald Judt, Managing Director of Europay Austria, said, "Having found a strong business partner like JCB, we are delighted that our range will now incorporate an expanding global brand in the card sector. By working together, both of us will be able to take the next big step in their corporate development here."

About Europay Austria

Europay Austria is THE focal point linking customers, traders and banks when it comes to modern payment methods. On behalf of the Austrian banks, Europay Austria develops payment cards like the multi-functional Maestro ATM card, Quick (the electronic purse) and a multitude of different MasterCards. Europay Austria today supports more than 93,000 participating outlets. Thanks to Europay Austria's successful focus on the market and the customer, the payment volume increased by more than 13% in 2005.

About JCB Co., Ltd.

JCB is a major global payment brand and the leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in 1961 and began expanding overseas in 1981. Its merchant network includes 13 million merchants and spans 190 countries and territories. JCB cards are now issued in 20 countries and territories, with 57.70 million card members. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with more than 350 leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solutions company, JCB is committed to providing high-quality payment services to customers, merchants, and partners. For further information, please visit the JCB website at www.jcb-global.com/english/ or www.jcbcorporate.com/english/

Source: JCB Co., Ltd.

Contact:

Kazumi Kinoshita
International Strategy Planning
JCB Co., Ltd.
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Copyright [c] 2006 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network K.K.