Rakuten.com and First Bankcard®Launch New Rakuten Rewards MasterCard®

OMAHA, Neb. and ALISO VIEJO, Calif., April 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Rakuten Inc., one of the world's largest Internet services companies and First Bankcard^®, a leader in the U.S. credit card partnership arena and a division of First National Bank of Omaha, have launched the Rakuten Rewards MasterCard^® Program, which provides cardholders with reward points for using their credit card to shop on the Rakuten.com website and elsewhere.  

Headquartered in Tokyo, Rakuten provides merchants, around the world, with a powerful platform via its online marketplace model, which empowers them to offer a wide selection of clothing, electronics, home and garden, beauty and health, sports, as well as food and beverage items. Rakuten.com, formerly Buy.com, is Rakuten's U.S. marketplace, offering consumers more than 17 million products at everyday low prices from a network of small and large business shop owners.

The new Rakuten Rewards MasterCard Program will be integrated with the existing Rakuten Super Points™ Loyalty Program to provide additional points to cardholders for both qualifying purchases on Rakuten.com and on qualifying purchases everywhere else MasterCard is accepted. In addition, customers who are instantly approved will be able to complete their purchases with their new Rakuten Rewards MasterCard the same day they apply.

"First Bankcard has a very personalized approach, and it was very evident to us that they have a commitment to their customers. Given Rakuten's own customer-centric methodology, it seemed to offer a perfect fit for our new U.S. credit card program as we seek to build a larger presence in the U.S. market and further drive our digital retail business," said Masatada 'Seichu' Kobayashi, chief executive officer, Rakuten.com. "We have seen tremendous synergy between our marketplace and credit card businesses in Japan, where our Rakuten credit card users have been found to enjoy shopping with us 52 percent more frequently and spend 38 percent more than other customers."

According to Stephen Eulie, president of First Bankcard, the new credit card program underscores First Bankcard's commitment to provide value-added business solutions to its customers. "We're dedicated to creating possibilities that will help our partners grow their businesses and drive customer loyalty, whether it's in their local communities or worldwide," Eulie said. "Rakuten has a strong international brand, and we're excited to help support its growth in the United States."

Rakuten Rewards MasterCard members will earn three points per dollar spent on all qualifying purchases made on Rakuten.com and one point per dollar spent on qualifying purchases everywhere else MasterCard is accepted. Each point earned under the Credit Card Rewards Program equates to one Rakuten Super Point redeemable only through the Rakuten Program. Rakuten Super Points are redeemable toward purchases on Rakuten.com. For a limited time, consumers who apply for the new Rakuten MasterCard online, and are approved, will receive 3,000 points (a $30 value) to use on a Rakuten.com purchase.

For more information on the new Rakuten MasterCard, visit www.rakuten.com/card.

About Rakuten Inc.
Rakuten Inc. (4755: Tokyo), is one of the world's leading Internet service companies, providing a variety of services for consumers and businesses, including in the areas of ecommerce, eReading, travel, banking, securities, credit cards, e-money, logistics, portal and media, online marketing and professional sports. In both 2012 and 2013, Rakuten was ranked among the world's "Top 10 Most Innovative Companies" in Forbes magazine's annual list. Rakuten is expanding worldwide and currently operates throughout Asia, Europe, the Americas and Oceania. Founded in 1997, Rakuten is headquartered in Tokyo, with over 10,500 employees and partner staff worldwide.

About First Bankcard
First Bankcard, a division of First National Bank of Omaha, is a leader in the credit card partnership arena, serving more than 500 financial institutions, co-brand and affinity partners nationwide. For 60 years, First Bankcard has offered quality products and superior service to help its customers achieve their goals. Visit www.firstbankcard.com for more information.

About First National Bank of Omaha
First National Bank of Omaha is a subsidiary of First National of Nebraska, which is the largest privately owned banking company in the United States. First National and its affiliates have $17 billion in managed assets and nearly 5,000 employee associates. Primary banking offices are located in Nebraska, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Texas.

SOURCE First Bankcard