Blackhawk Network's InteliSpend Wins Big in Eighth Annual Paybefore Awards

PLEASANTON, Calif., April 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackhawk Network, Inc., a leading prepaid payment network, announced today that its recently acquired incentive sales business division, InteliSpend Prepaid Solutions,™ has won four prestigious Paybefore Awards, including two Best-in-Category recognitions in the following categories:

• Top Motivator (5% Back) – Best-in-Category
• Prepaid with Soul (Alberta Flood Relief) – Best-in-Category
• Top Digital Dollars (B2B Virtual Discover® Prepaid Card)
• Best Choice Retail Card (The Eileen Fisher Prepaid MasterCard^®)

As Best-in-Category winner and the only prepaid card to give cardholders 5% back on transactions at select U.S. merchants, InteliSpend's Universal Visa^® Prepaid Card truly is a top motivator. For the Prepaid with Soul category, InteliSpend provided flood relief assistance to the Government of Alberta in Canada by offering a tangible prepaid card solution that could be issued to flood victims within 48 hours. The B2B Virtual Discover Prepaid Card is a convenient, cost-effective, instant and secure way to put funds in cardholders' hands for consumer promotion programs or corporate incentives. The Eileen Fisher Prepaid MasterCard was awarded Best Choice Retail Card and leverages InteliSpend's patented filtering technology (DirectSpend®) to create a rewarding customer incentive experience. 

Blackhawk and InteliSpend were awarded in a variety of categories by a panel of five industry experts who served as judges for this year's competition, which included a record number of entries from around the world.

"Blackhawk Network and InteliSpend are honored to have their card programs and solutions recognized as innovators in four categories in this year's Paybefore Awards," said Sheree Thornsberry, InteliSpend group vice president. "We were particularly gratified by the Top Motivator Best-in-Category recognition of our 5% back card because it's unique in the industry and offers something for everyone in the value chain, from cardholders to merchants."

For eight years, the Paybefore Awards have conferred the most prestigious recognition of excellence in the worldwide prepaid, mobile and emerging payments industry. The awards are presented annually by Paybefore, whose publications are the leading source of industry information for alternative payments executives.

"An industry is only as good as its innovators. This year's Paybefore Awards have demonstrated that prepaid, emerging and mobile payments companies always find new ways to address consumer, government and business needs," said Loraine DeBonis, Paybefore editor-in-chief and chair of the judging panel. "We are proud to recognize InteliSpend's contributions to advancing the industry."

"The companies and programs recognized in the 2014 Paybefore Awards are great examples of what can be accomplished when innovators apply thoughtfulness and payments technology to address real-world needs," added Marilyn Bochicchio, Paybefore's CEO.

To learn more about Blackhawk and InteliSpend's Best-in-Category Paybefore Award winners for Top Motivator (5% Back) and Prepaid with Soul (Alberta Flood Relief), visit the following:

• http://paybefore.com/awards/category-4-top-motivator/
• http://paybefore.com/awards/category-15-prepaid-with-soul/

About Blackhawk Network
Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAWK) is a leading prepaid payment network which supports the program management and distribution of gift cards, prepaid telecom products and financial service products across a global network. Blackhawk's digital platform supports prepaid across a network of digital distribution partners including retailers, financial service providers, and mobile wallets. For more information please, visit www.blackhawknetwork.com.

About InteliSpend
InteliSpend delivers intelligent prepaid solutions for business needs: employee rewards, wellness, sales incentives, expense management and promotional programs. InteliSpend's prepaid card expertise, innovative approach and patented DirectSpend^® process can solve even the most complex challenges. Relationships with American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa enable the ideal alignment of network and need. Learn more about using InteliSpend's evolved currency at www.intelispend.com.

About Discover
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers home loans, private student loans, personal loans, home equity loans, checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts through its direct banking business. It operates the Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.discover.com/company.

About MasterCard
MasterCard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world's fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard's products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNews, join the discussion on the Cashless Pioneers Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.

About Peoples Trust Company
Peoples Trust Company is a financial institution headquartered in Vancouver, B.C., with offices across Canada. The Company is active in originating and servicing mortgages, with over $ 6.2 billion in assets under administration, and offers very competitive deposit products. Peoples Trust, through its subsidiary Peoples Card Services, is a pioneer of prepaid and credit card programs in Canada, and a market leader in both reloadable and non-reloadable card products of Visa and MasterCard. For more information, visit www.peoplescardservices.com.

About Paybefore 
Paybefore is the leading information provider to prepaid, mobile and emerging payments industry professionals, offering the latest news, commentary and analysis. Paybefore's family of industry publications includes: Paybefore.com; Pay News™; Pay Gov™; Pay Week™; Pay Op-Ed™; Pay Magazine™, a biannual print publication featuring in-depth articles on the opportunities, challenges and trends in the global payments industry; and the only industry directory, Pay Connect™ buyer's guide, available online and in print. Visit us at www.paybefore.com.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140407/CG99580LOGO

SOURCE InteliSpend Prepaid Solutions