NOMOS-BANK cards total 214 thousand, as of 30 June 2008

The total number of plastic cards issued by NOMOS-BANK based upon the results of H1 2008 reached 214 thousand, having increased by more than 12% as compared to 1st January. The overall number of Visa и MasterCard bankcards in circulation, including agent banks, is 249 thousand.

Rising card numbers are primarily due to the increasing share of companies involved in joint payroll programmes with the Bank. The total number of such companies grew by 20% during H1 2008. Besides, the issue of cards has been on the rise due to the introduction by the Bank of a new line of mobile deposits providing cardholders with an opportunity to manage their deposited funds in a remote mode.

In the first six months of 2008, NOMOS-BANK fully switched to issuing combined cards equipped with a microchip in addition to a magnetic stripe. The microchip allows considerably enhancing security of conducting transactions and expanding the list of offered services, which are not feasible with a card equipped with a magnetic stripe only.

In 2008, NOMOS-BANK began offering cards of Visa and MasterCard international payment systems. Principal advantages of NOMOS-BANK credit cards include competitive interest rates — 22—24%, significant credit limit amount, long (up to 50 days) grace period, during which cardholders can use the credit line free of charge. Clients wishing to receive a credit card can do it without the need to provide advanced deposits, pledge, or third-party guarantees.

“Growing financial competence of the population leads to higher interest in more technologically sophisticated banking products. One of them is credit cards, which substantially facilitate access to financial resources”, — notes Alexander Tyantov, Vice President and Head of the Retail Business Directorate of NOMOS-BANK.

In 2008, NOMOS-BANK has continued expanding its own network of ATMs and POS-terminals. The number of ATMs has grown by 17.6% — to 461 (of which 28 with cash-in function), POS-terminals — to 532 (by 13.9%).