OneCard from Ulster Bank - A First to Market in Northern Ireland

9th Mar 2007

Ulster Bank today announced the launch of OneCard in Northern Ireland, a brand new commercial card, offering significant value to businesses who want to revolutionise the way in which they manage their business spending. OneCard, a MasterCard badged card, is the first all-in-one expenses and purchasing card to be launched in Northern Ireland. Meridio, the Northern Ireland based software company with international operations in North America, Australia, Spain and Germany as well as GB, is the first company to use OneCard.

Companies typically manage their business spending in many different ways, resulting in lots of paperwork and costly processes. OneCard empowers companies to rationalise their payment processes and achieve improved cost control right across the organisation.

Neil Cooke, Head of Commercial Cards at Ulster Bank said, " OneCard represents a significant development in the commercial card space. This is the first time businesses in Northern Ireland have been offered a commercial payment card that can potentially be used for all their business spending. We are excited about the value we know that this can deliver."

"Business spending on cards is evolving from purely travel and entertainment expenses to broader purchasing activities. OneCard is a direct response to that evolution" he added.

Backed by a sophisticated management reporting tool called Smart Data Online (SDOL), OneCard is a step ahead of the market. Smart Data Online allows businesses to easily monitor and analyse company expenditure. With access to up-to-date information, they can produce their own reports and upload data to their accounting systems, cutting out the need for paperwork. OneCard also offers an unprecedented range of options around spending controls and flexible billing. And when businesses use a VAT capable supplier, OneCard reports will be accepted by HM Customs and Excise as evidence for VAT reclaim, eliminating the need to wait for and match paper invoices for every purchase.

MasterCard spokesperson Jorn Lambert, Group Head, Commercial and Consumer Products for Europe added "Card has already proved its worth in other markets and has demonstrated unique value to commercial customers. We are delighted to work with Ulster Bank to see this success continue in Northern Ireland".

Meridio, the Northern Ireland based global enterprise software company, has been piloting OneCard over the past few weeks.

Jeff Wylie, Chief Financial Officer, Meridio said, "We are committed to finding new ways to improve how we manage our business spending. We have already seen improvements in efficiency. As an international business with strict financial reporting deadlines, OneCard has been an important step forward for us in controlling our travel expenses and management information."

OneCard offers additional features, such as Corporate Liability Waiver, travel accident insurance and a travel assistance service for all cardholders to help with any travel queries.

Information relating to OneCard can be viewed at www.ulsterbank.co.uk/onecard