The Ultramar MasterCard Fleet Card with the National Bank Signature: a credit card with more to offer to businesses

Montreal, 10 April 2001 - 

National Bank MasterCard and Ultramar Ltd. are proud to launch the very first co-branded fleet card for businesses in Canada. With a single, innovative credit card, businesses can now manage all the costs related to their business vehicles as well as travel and business promotion expenses. For businesses, this translates into real savings of time, energy and money.

"With its flexible, customized options, the National Bank Ultramar MasterCard Fleet Card gives businesses a personalized control solution that significantly reduces their management costs while boosting their profitability and productivity. The card's many advantages and the fact that it can be used for both business promotion and travel expenses mean even more time and money saved for businesses. And because it bears the MasterCard logo," stated Jean Bernier, President of Ultramar, "it is accepted throughout the world."

"Although businesses clearly stand to gain the most from this innovative payment solution, they are by no means the only winners," added Rubina Havlin, Vice-President - Business Development at National Bank MasterCard. "With the introduction of this card, which combines the expertise of both issuers, Ultramar can meet the growing needs of its customers while the National Bank can tap into a large pool of prospective new clients."

More advantages for businesses
In addition to the discounts on fuel at Ultramar service stations, holders of the Ultramar MasterCard Fleet Card with the National Bank signature can enjoy banking and credit advantages on the various products and services offered by the National Bank. What's more, businesses can customize the card by choosing the options which best meet their particular needs and requirements. For instance, they can assign cards to drivers or vehicles or set limits on card usage.

A partner of Ultramar since 1986, National Bank MasterCard is one of Canada's leading MasterCard card issuers with some 3 million personal and business credit cards issued. Its business cards have been adopted by customers such as the Government of Canada, CN, Via Rail Canada, Vidéotron, Groupe TVA and the Jean Coutu Group.

Ultramar owns and operates a refinery in St-Romuald near Quebec City with a current production capacity of 160,000 barrels a day. Ultramar also operates 1,200 points of sale and 85 cardlocks and sells heating oil to over 250,000 Canadian households.

National Bank of Canada is an integrated group whose mission is to provide comprehensive financial services to consumers, small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations in its core market, while offering specialized services to its customers elsewhere in the world. It has assets of over $75 billion and, together with its subsidiaries, it employs some 16,600 people. The Bank's shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

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