Need a Less Expensive Alternative to a Checking Account?

SAN RAMON, Calif., April 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AccountNow, Inc., one of the nation's largest and most innovative prepaid debit card companies, now offers the nation's estimated 80 million consumers who are financially underserved the convenience of a traditional bank account along with the flexibility of true pay-as-you-go pricing. The Bancorp Bank, well respected for its innovative payment solutions for the prepaid card industry, collaborated with AccountNow to develop the flexible Visa Prepaid card program.

"This new prepaid Visa card is geared toward consumers looking for better and more affordable alternatives to a traditional bank or checking account and those who need a prepaid card for occasional use," said Jim Jones, CEO of AccountNow, Inc.

The collaboration between AccountNow and The Bancorp Bank is another sign of AccountNow's leadership in facilitating payment options for consumers that historically have been forced to use more expensive and less efficient financial instruments.  The AccountNow Prepaid Visa Card with "Pay As You Go" comes with many features previously unavailable to those without a traditional banking relationship:

• No Monthly Fee – Pay Only When You Use It
• No Credit Check
• No Minimum Balance
• No Overdraft Fee
• Free Direct Deposit
• Free Bill Pay

"The brick and mortar bank is less and less of a factor in global payment systems," added Mr. Jones. "Previously underserved, yet large, segments of the population can now experience the convenience and flexibility of a pay-as-you-go system where your deposits are FDIC insured up to $250,000," he said.

The AccountNow Prepaid Visa Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used wherever Visa debit cards are accepted.  The Bancorp Bank is a member of the FDIC.

Obtaining Your Card:  The USA PATRIOT Act is a federal law that requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens a Card Account.  This means that when you open a Card Account, you will be asked for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will reasonably allow your accurate identification.  You may also be asked to show your driver's license or other identifying documents at any time. 

About AccountNow, Inc.

AccountNow (accountnow.com or goldvisa.accountnow.com), headquartered in San Ramon, California, is a leading provider of financial solutions for the 40 million U.S. consumers who do not have established credit or traditional banking relationships. AccountNow provides consumers an alternative to "traditional" checking accounts and access to financial and payments systems, including Visa Prepaid cards, online bill pay and FDIC insured deposits.    

About The Bancorp Payment Solutions Group

The Bancorp Payment Solutions Group, a division of The Bancorp Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBBK), offers secure, creative and innovative payment solutions to the prepaid card industry.  As a leading issuer of prepaid cards, The Bancorp Payments Solutions Group develops cutting-edge prepaid card programs that meet the rapidly changing needs of the prepaid industry.  Through long-standing relationships with the card networks, leading program managers and processors, the company designs compliant, innovative and flexible prepaid card programs which deliver outstanding results.  For more information about The Bancorp Payment Solutions Group, please visit www.thebancorppsg.com.

SOURCE AccountNow, Inc.