OREANDA-NEWS. February 27, 2013. The lender’s upgraded status enables it to offer cardholders new products and services, loyalty programs and special benefits.

Having gained Principal Member status, Uniastrum now plans to increase MasterCard card distribution 2.5-fold.

In 2012 the Bank issued a total 198,000 cards, or almost twice that of the previous year.

Late 2012 saw Uniastrum debut a new range of card products - Standard, Corporative, Trusted Partner, Exclusive, and Express – each combining the functions of a credit and interest-earning instrument, making it possible for customers to save money and enjoy a return at the same time.

Persons applying for a Standard card, for example, can expect to be granted a credit limit of anywhere up to Rb 1 million, while also receiving an interest-free grace period lasting as long as 55 days. Another benefit is that the interest earned on a cardholder’s balance ranges up to 8%, irrespective of card type.

“MasterCard Principal Member status opens up a new world of opportunities for us when it comes to the sort of products we are able to offer our clients, as well as better service and special benefits by way of sales promotions and prize draws,” notes Susanna Uzunyan, Head of Uniastrum’s Retail Product Design and Development Division. “Our newly acquired status also testifies to the high level of confidence placed in us by one of the biggest international payment systems, as well as the high regard for the quality of our business activities”.