4.1 Determining the Regions in which to Issue Cards

Has your organisation decided in which regions and countries to launch your service? Below are some considerations:

• Where do you have physical offices or where are your relevant staff members located?

• Do you understand the local cultures and languages of the regions in which you will be operating your service?

• Do you understand the financial and payment regulatory framework of the country in the which you are issuing?

• Do you have a unique proposition or product or service of value to customers in this region?

• What currencies are you going to support?

• What are your current plans for future expansion into other regions?

A local presence may be required to deal with cardholder queries relating to their cards or to specific transactions on their cards. Understanding of the local language, culture and regulatory environment is essential for launching a successful card programme in any region.

Your Thredd business development manager can help you explore some of these considerations. Decisions around the countries and currency combinations in which you are going to issue cards has a material impact on how your card programme is set up within Thredd.