Verve, a leading payment technology card and card business in Africa, held its first transaction event in New York yesterday, signifying the acceptance of the Verve Card globally.
This was made possible in partnership with Discover Global Network, the payments brand of Discover. This means that Verve cardholders can now use their Verve Global Cards on the Discover Global Network which provides acceptance in more than 190 countries and territories.
Speaking at the launch event and the first transaction event in New York yesterday, the Group CEO of Interswitch, Mitchell Elegbe said that the move would expand Verve’s existing suite of tailored payment products and solutions for its customers.
At the event were notable persons from the financial services industry including, First Bank’s Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Gbenga Shobo and its Group Executive, eBusiness and Retail Products, Mr. Chuma Ezirim; Access Bank’s Head, Channels Sales (Digital Payment Systems), Olubusola Osilaja, and General Manager, Operations, Fidelity Bank, Mr. Martins Izuogbe.
The first transaction with the Verve Global Card took place at a Swarovski shop in Times Square, New York.
According to Mitchell, “Verve Global Card also delivers additional benefits to cardholders including broad reward and loyalty schemes; benefits that are available both locally and internationally.
“The agreement with Discover Global Network will enable Verve to compete with other global card offerings, providing cardholders with an enhanced customer experience when transacting globally outside Nigeria.
“Creating a solution which facilitates international payments for our consumers will help to eliminate existing barriers and simplify the process when transacting abroad.”
Responding, the Senior Vice President of international markets at Discover, Ricardo Leite said: “It is important to us that we are working with groups around the world to extend acceptance for their cardholders.
“At Discover, we recognise the importance of being able to use your card of choice no matter where you are traveling.”
Verve International Divisional Chief Executive Officer, Mike Ogbalu, also said the launch of the international payment solution provides consumers with the ability to transact globally across the US and other countries, addressing challenges that many Nigerians had experienced while travelling abroad.
“Our partnership with Discover Global Network will help us to optimise the overall experience of every Verve Global card holder by guaranteeing consistent and efficient payment solutions regardless of where they are in the world,” he added.
Verve is Interswitch Group’s innovative card scheme, offering products and solutions that enable consumers to transact all over Nigeria and across international markets.
“As the first African card scheme to be recognised as a valid, globally accepted e-payment gateway, we have built a world-class value chain ecosystem that benefit from the services that we provide,” he added.
