MasterCard International has announced that major auto-related suppliers across the U.S. are using the enhanced level data features of MasterCard’s Corporate Purchasing and Fleet Card programs to help their customers more accurately track purchases. These auto-related suppliers are now providing customers with Level II and Level III reporting information, which contain purchase details that can help companies manage their resources more effectively while streamlining the payment process for vendors and their clients. “By providing higher levels of transaction reporting, MasterCard helps auto-related retailers enhance customer relationships and win new business,” said Fred Gore, senior vice president of North America Acceptance, MasterCard International. “In addition, retailers that accept the MasterCard Corporate Purchasing and Fleet Cards may improve cash flow and attain preferred vendor status with their clients.” The MasterCard Corporate Purchasing and Fleet Cards are purchasing tools designed to reduce the cost associated with authorizing, tracking and reconciling business purchases. They provide companies and organizations with enhanced purchase controls, large merchant acceptance and liability protection. The Fleet Card, when used for non-gasoline purchases functions as a Purchasing Card. Some of the auto-related merchants that have upgraded their systems to pass enhanced Level II or III data include: • AutoZone is now capable of passing Level III data in all of its more than 2,900 stores throughout the U.S. • Goodyear, the world’s largest tire company, is now providing Level II data at its 3,400 retail locations in the U.S. • NAPA, a leading auto parts retailer, is upgrading its stores to Level II or III. Of its 10,000 franchise locations, 4,100 will provide Level II data by year-end and the remaining will upgrade by the second quarter of 2001. The 300 corporate-owned locations will provide Level II data by December 2000 and 70 % will be upgraded to Level III by April 2001. • Pep Boys, a major automotive parts retailer, is providing Level III data from all of its retail outlets. The company has 627 stores in 36 states and Puerto Rico. • Safelite Glass Corporation, America’s largest auto glass service company, is committed to passing Level II data by the end of 2001. The company has over 500 service centers and provides convenient mobile service in all 50 states. The three levels of card data are defined as Levels I, II and III. These levels represent the sophistication at which suppliers can process MasterCard Corporate Purchasing Card and Fleet Card transactions. Level I is a standard credit card purchase transaction, and offers such information as supplier name, total purchase amount, date and merchant category code. Level II adds additional information about each purchase, including sales tax amount and customer code (such as accounting code). Level III, the highest level, adds full line-item detail that includes quantities, product codes and descriptions, ship to zip, freight amount and duty amount. About MasterCard More than 1 billion MasterCard(R), Cirrus(R) and Maestro(R) logos are present on credit, charge and debit cards in circulation today. An association comprised of more than 20,000 member financial institutions, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in 210 countries and territories. MasterCard offers more than 19 million acceptance locations. In 1999, gross dollar volume exceeded US $725 billion. MasterCard can be reached at http://www.mastercard.com.