Canadians get tax refunds faster, safer, cheaper with new H&R Block Advantage Prepaid MasterCard

Canadians get tax refunds faster, safer, cheaper with new H&R Block Advantage Prepaid MasterCard

MasterCard Canada, DC Bank, and H&R Block partner on innovative offering

TORONTO, Feb. 6, 2013 /CNW/ - Canadians who want their tax refund quickly but don't want to pay cheque-cashing fees and take unnecessary risks with carrying cash, now have a better way to get their tax refund quickly and securely. MasterCard Canada has partnered with H&R Block, Canada's largest tax preparer and DC Bank, a leading provider of prepaid cards, to offer the H&R Block Advantage Prepaid MasterCard.

Some of the benefits of the new offering include:

    --  Get the card for FREE - no credit check, no activation fees, no
        bank history required
    --  Shop online or over the phone
    --  Relax knowing your prepaid H&R Block MasterCard is secure
    --  Save on cheque cashing fees
    --  Reload the card with your refund next year
    --  Always know your balance with the H&R Block FREE mobile update
        service

"You don't often hear people talking about convenience, flexibility and 
freedom at tax time," said Richard McLaughlin, Senior Vice President of Global 
Products and Solutions, MasterCard Canada. "But that's what we have been able 
to create with our partners H&R Block and DC Bank."

H&R Block customers can use the new card to do many things they can't with 
cash or a cheque. Having their Instant Cash Back tax refund loaded onto an H&R 
Block Advantage Prepaid MasterCard provides the convenience of instant access 
to their refund with no costs or hassles.

"Moving to a prepaid MasterCard as a new way to receive your refund instantly 
offers our customers unique advantages we were unable to provide with just a 
cheque. The text messaging service that tells you your balance each time you 
use the card and the ability to shop online are just a few key benefits of 
MasterCard we're excited to share with our customers as we kick off our 2013 
tax season," said Richard Brown, President, H&R Block Canada. 

The H&R Block Advantage Prepaid MasterCard® is free with H&R Block's Instant 
Cash Back service, and requires no credit check or bank history. It enables 
H&R Block customers to use ATMs or shop in stores, online or over the phone - 
wherever in the world that MasterCard is accepted -- and to know they have the 
full security of a MasterCard product. Using the card means there are no 
cheque-cashing fees and no cash-handling worries. And users can simply load 
next year's tax Instant Cash Back refund onto the same card.

"This month Canada officially stopped using the penny because it's expensive 
and inconvenient," said Richard McLaughlin. "The H&R Block Advantage Prepaid 
MasterCard® is another great example of payment innovations that make sense 
because they are faster, more convenient, more secure and less costly. It's 
another step to a world beyond cash."

"We're delighted to join forces with H&R Block and MasterCard to offer the H&R 
Block Advantage Prepaid MasterCard, reaching new customers and diversifying 
our services," said Susan Gallacher, President, DC Bank.

About H&R Block Canada

H&R Block Canada has been preparing taxes for more than 45 years and is 
Canada's leading tax preparation firm. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, the 
company serves Canadian taxpayers in more than 1,100 offices across the 
country. H&R Block Canada Inc. is a subsidiary of H&R Block, Inc., a 
diversified company with subsidiaries providing a wide range of financial 
products and services. Additional information about H&R Block Canada is 
available at 1-800-HRBLOCK or www.hrblock.ca.

About MasterCard Worldwide

MasterCard NYSE: MA, www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global 
payments industry. We operate the world's fastest payments processing 
network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments 
and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard's 
products and solutions make everyday commerce activities - such as shopping, 
traveling, running a business and managing finances - easier, more secure and 
more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNews, join the 
discussion on the Cashless Conversations Blog and subscribe for the latest 
news.

MasterCard Canada Serda Evren VP, Corporate Communications & Philanthropy 
Serda_evren@mastercard.com 416-365-6671

SOURCE: MasterCard Canada

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CO: MasterCard Canada
ST: Ontario
NI: FIN 

-0- Feb/06/2013 15:00 GMT