Sovereign Bank Launches "First in Mobile Wallet" Promotion With LevelUp

BOSTON, June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Sovereign Bank, N.A. announced that it partnered with LevelUp to launch LevelUp's "First in Mobile Wallet" promotion.

Sovereign is the first bank to leverage LevelUp's unique "First in Mobile Wallet" promotion that rewards customers who link their Sovereign Debit MasterCard® to their LevelUp account. LevelUp's promotion allows Sovereign to directly incentivize consumers to use their Sovereign Debit MasterCard®.

LevelUp is the nation's second largest mobile payment network, launched by Cambridge-based SCVNGR in July 2011. LevelUp enables users to pay with their phones, helping them save time and money. Users simply download the free LevelUp app onto their iPhone or Android, link their favorite credit or debit card, then scan their unique LevelUp Code at a business to pay. Businesses on LevelUp can invite new customers to give them a try with a first-time customer bonus and motivate them to become regular customers with loyalty rewards.

This exclusive promotion will be aligned with The Boston Harbor Association's Summer on the Waterfront campaign, which will be celebrating the renaissance of the Boston waterfront from June 4 to August 31, 2012. Advertisements will be featured throughout the city on the Red and Orange MBTA lines, several bus lines and in Boston Globe Magazine. Each of the 500+ advertisements will invite the first 20,000 LevelUp users to link a Sovereign Debit MasterCard to a LevelUp account to receive a total of $10 to spend at any of LevelUp's 2,500+ businesses, including popular waterfront spots like James Hook & Co, Boston Harbor Cruises, and Ben & Jerry's at the New England Aquarium.

Eduardo Tobon, head of Santander's U.S. Cards division said, "Mobile transactions are emerging as the preferred payment method for quick, on the go purchases.  Our exclusive promotion with LevelUp offers an innovative and rewarding mobile payment option that will build long term loyalty among our cardholders."

"With Sovereign's "First in Mobile Wallet" campaign, we have launched the most efficient card activation promotion ever," said Chris Mahl, LevelUp's Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer. "By inviting Sovereign customers to link their cards to LevelUp, we're forming a groundbreaking mobile payment partnership that enables activation, tracking and analytics. We're excited to have Sovereign tap into LevelUp's fast-growing ecosystem of consumers and merchants - with our users now transacting at a volume of over $2MM per month at 2500 + merchants."

For more information on the Sovereign Bank and LevelUp promotion for Summer on the Waterfront, visit www.TheLevelUp.com or www.SummerOnTheWaterfront.org.

About Sovereign Bank

Sovereign Bank, N.A. is a financial institution with principal markets in the northeastern United States.  Sovereign has more than 700 branches, nearly 2,300 ATMs, and approximately 8,500 team members.  For more information on Sovereign Bank, N.A. visit http://www.sovereignbank.com or call 877-SOV-BANK.

Santander Holdings USA, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Banco Santander, S.A., and parent company of Sovereign Bank, N.A. and Santander Consumer USA.

About LevelUp:

LevelUp is the free mobile app that lets you pay with your phone to save time and money. Everyone on the planet wants to save time and money without thinking. Everyday you don't use LevelUp, you are leaving money on the table. To get started, visit http://www.TheLevelUp.com. Based in Boston, MA, SCVNGR + LevelUp is funded by Google Ventures, Highland Capital Partners and Balderton Capital.

SOURCE Sovereign Bank, N.A.