VCT Smart Card Production Line Obtains MasterCard CQM Certification

Downers Grove, IL, September 09, 2008 – Versatile Card Technology (VCT), a leader in secure credit card manufacturing, announced today that it has received the Card Quality Management (CQM) Certification from MasterCard after completing a successful MasterCard audit.

The CQM audit is the final step in VCT being certified by MasterCard on their new production line for contact, contactless, and dual-interface EMV enabled smart cards.

"CQM Certification is similar in concept to ISO 9001:2000, but it is much more comprehensive and it is specific to the bankcard industry," stated our VCT Director of Quality. "Where the ISO program allows each manufacturer to define their own approach to quality assurance within general principles, the CQM program actually sets specific requirements for production management, testing, evaluation, documentation, auditing, and process improvement."

"We gained a lot in the process of earning our CQM Certification," said Suresh Kumar, V.P. Smart Card Operations. "Preparing for the CQM audit meant taking a fresh look at all our processes and how they worked together. It gave us the opportunity to bring all departments together in a new context and with very concrete goals to achieve." By obtaining this certification, VCT has earned CQM labels for the manufacturing of card bodies, chip embedding, and contactless cards, and VCT's new EMV production line is ready for business.

About MasterCard Incorporated. MasterCard Incorporated advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes over 18 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial institution customers and merchants. For more information go to www.mastercard.com

About Versatile Card Technology, Inc. Established in 1986, Versatile Card Technology is the largest US manufacturer of plastic cards. With facilities in Turkey, Germany, Singapore and India, VCT is also a globally recognized leader in plastic card manufacturing. VCT produces cards for every application and offers complete fulfillment services and turnkey solutions. Versatile Card Technology is also part of the Vmark Network of Direct Marketing Companies.

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