HSBC’s New Rewards Program Could Spark Growth for Tempo

Tempo Payments Inc.'s alliance with HSBC Retail Services appears to be bearing fruit. HSBC's new OptiPay loyalty-rewards PIN-payment program, announced earlier this week, will be the first outside card program to run on Tempo's network. Positioned as a low-cost alternative to the major payment card networks, San Mateo, Calif.-based Tempo Payments has struggled to add issuers as it signed on acceptance locations. It formed an alliance in May 2006 with Prospect Heights, Ill.-based HSBC?which issues private-label cards for about 65 retailer clients?to accelerate growth in both card-issuing and card-accepting merchants. Tempo Payments has about 200,000 acceptance locations, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., pharmacy chain CVS Corp., and bookseller Barnes & Noble Inc. Tempo Payments' business model is based on retailers issuing PIN-debit cards, accepting similar cards from other members of the network, and paying a small processing fee and interchange generally less than the cost of PIN debit on national electronic funds transfers networks and the bank card networks. Transactions are cleared through the automated clearing house. The OptiCard?created through an alliance with Concept Shopping Inc., a Lisle, Ill.-based marketing firm?issues personal rewards to cardholders based on each shopper's personal purchase history. Customers can swipe their cards at a kiosk in the store to get rewards for additional in-store purchases or go to the retailer's Web site and get their rewards before even going to the store, an HSBC spokeswoman says. “It's the first time a combination loyalty rewards and PIN-based payment card program have been introduced,” she says. Once a merchant signs on to the OptiPay program, HSBC will develop a merchant-branded card specifically for that merchant. The customer can use the card at the merchant as well as at other locations that accept Tempo. HSBC expects merchants to begin offering the OptiPay card within six months. “Our retail partners are always looking for ways to bring more value to their customers, just as we're always looking for ways to enhance our relationships with them” the spokeswoman says. “With the OptiPay program, retailers have the opportunity to lower their processing payment costs and at the same time enhance customer loyalty and increase their sales.” By using the Tempo Payments network, HSBC can offer retailers processing savings of about 50% or more on both PIN and signature debit interchange fees, the spokeswoman says. Tempo Payments, formerly Debitman Card Inc., in March 2006, received $8.7 million in financing from HSBC Retail Services, a U.S. business unit of HSBC-North America; Cardinal Venture Capital, and Selby Venture Partners.