AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital security, today announced that RZB (Raiffeisen Zentralbank Österreich), the central institution of Austria’s largest banking group – the Raiffeisen Banking Group, has begun deploying its innovative, end-to-end solution for customizing payment card designs securely over the Internet. Central to the program is Gemalto’s user-friendly web-based interface that lets users customize their EMV payment card with a picture of their own choice. This is the first picture card program in Austria and its commercial rollout started in early 2010.

RZB uses Gemalto’s picture card solution to promote RELOAD^TM, a re-loadable prepaid card compliant with the highly secure Dynamic Data Authentication (DDA) standard. It is mainly aimed at the Internet-friendly community as well as the younger generation, providing an international payment card that consumers can use in retail outlets, for online payment and to withdraw cash. For youngsters under 18, RELOAD offers a secure, convenient and parent-controlled means of payment when traveling abroad, while helping them become acquainted with usage of banking cards.

Gemalto supplied RZB with a comprehensive turnkey solution that includes the web interface, printing and personalization services. The intuitive interface enables customers to upload their favorite photograph on the bank’s website to create a unique personal card, ensuring a simple and convenient user experience. Once the picture has been uploaded, Gemalto handles image approval before the order is placed. As part of this program, Gemalto also carries out fulfilment of the card order which requires the secure handling and delivery of the card’s PIN code to the end user.

“Gemalto was the only company able to put forward such a complete service offering,” commented Dr. Gerald Kubu, Head of RZB CardService. “We are extremely pleased with the support Gemalto provided, notably through premium quality consulting services. Furthermore, they met the very tight deadlines set for this project, enabling RZB to achieve product launch on time.”

“Gemalto is proud of its continued contribution to the Austrian banking market and to support RZB in launching this innovative service,” added Philippe Cambriel, Executive Vice-President of Gemalto’s Secure Transactions Business Unit. “Our picture card solution will help RZB get closer to their customers by strengthening their emotional attachment with a personal, top-of-the-wallet banking card.”

This new success further reinforces Gemalto’s global leadership position in picture card programs. With its investment in Serverside*, Gemalto now has a track record of over 230 references across the world and expands its software and services offering in the banking and loyalty arena.

* On November 3, 2009, Gemalto subscribed to a capital increase in Serverside Group, with an option to potentially acquire the company.

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Additional information on RZB

It is a leading corporate and investment bank in Austria and also considers Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) as its home market. RZB is the only Austrian bank with a global network of business units reaching all important finance centres around the globe. It is also present in Asia with branches and representative offices in nine locations.

Via listed subsidiary Raiffeisen International Bank-Holding AG, RZB operates one of the largest banking networks in CEE, covering 17 markets across the region through subsidiary banks, leasing companies and a range of other financial service providers. The group's almost 59,000 employees service approximately 15 million customers via more than 3,100 business outlets.

About Gemalto

Gemalto (Euronext NL 0000400653 GTO) is the world leader in digital security with 2009 annual revenues of €1.65 billion, and over 10,000 employees operating out of 75 offices, with research and service centers in 41 countries.

Gemalto is at the heart of our evolving digital society. The freedom to communicate, travel, shop, bank, entertain, and work—anytime, anywhere—has become an integral part of what people want and expect, in ways that are convenient, enjoyable and secure.

Gemalto delivers on the growing demands of billions of people worldwide for mobile connectivity, identity and data protection, credit card safety, health and transportation services, e-government and national security. We do this by supplying to governments, wireless operators, banks and enterprises a wide range of secure personal devices, such as subscriber identification modules (SIM), Universal Integrated Circuit Cards (UICC) in mobile phones, smart banking cards, smart card access badges, electronic passports, and USB tokens for online identity protection. To complete the solution we also provide software, systems and services to help our customers achieve their goals.

As the use of Gemalto’s software and secure devices increases with the number of people interacting in the digital and wireless world, the company is poised to thrive over the coming years.

For more information please visit www.gemalto.com.

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