Company: MasterCard International
Products: MasterCardmerchant.com and "MasterCard Merchant Rules" Manual

MasterCard International now provides two new tools to help merchants "maximize the benefits and value" of accepting MasterCard-branded cards for payment. But ISOs and merchant level salespeople (MLSs) can also benefit from these new offerings.

MasterCard's Web site, MasterCardmerchant.com (www.mastercardmerchant.com), is an informational site for both merchants and acquirers. The site describes steps merchants should take to start accepting MasterCard cards; provides an overview of how transactions work; and offers tips on building a business and preventing fraud.

The Web site also includes a section for "acquirers" offering information on Maestro registration, lead referral, data security notices, travel industries premier service (TIPS) automation, and the ability to download MasterCard's rules for merchants who accept MasterCard-branded cards. MasterCard is offering a new Merchant Rules manual, which provides rules applicable to the acceptance of MasterCard cards and Maestro cards. The Association wants acquirers, MSPs, ISOs and MLSs to provide their merchant customers with a copy and to explain the importance of the rules so that merchants will comply with them.

MasterCard began offering the 203-page book in July 2004. The manual includes regional variations of the MasterCard rules. You can download a free copy at www.mastercardmerchant.com/docs/accept_mastercard/merchant_rules.pdf .

In his article "Merchant Educational Tools" on page 80 of this issue of The Green Sheet, David H. Press of Integrity Bankcard Consultants, Inc. further discusses these new MasterCard products and what they mean for ISOs and MLSs.

MasterCard International www.mastercard.com www.mastercardmerchant.com