Penn Visa: The Next Five Years

This year the Division of Business Services began a renewed five-year relationship with MBNA America, offering the Penn Visa credit card to alumni, faculty, staff and students. Through Penn Visa, the University supports many departments and services, including alumni events/activities, campus arts and culture programs, PennCard operations, credit education programs and more.

Penn’s partnership with MBNA allows Penn affiliates to support the University through their Penn Visa purchases. To date, more than 20,000 members of the Penn community use Penn Visa.

Highlights of the New Agreement: Our Commitment to Protecting the Penn Community

• Comprehensive Privacy Program to ensure proper use of data and privacy protection
• Easy Opt-Out from mailing/telemarketing lists, via web (www.business-services.upenn.edu/optout) or phone (215-898-IDEA)
• Credit Education Initiative

Why MBNA?

MBNA America is recognized as the leader in affinity credit card programs in higher education. MBNA provides a product tailored to meet the needs of the institutions they serve, as well as the needs of their account holders. MBNA offers a superior program in the following respects:

• Detailed, personal review of applications and high standards required for authorization of new accounts
• Overall lower credit limits for student accounts
• Overall lower default rates for students
• Excellent customer service to account holders
• Availability of credit education materials and personnel
• High performance on investments

MBNA has been responsive to Penn’s concerns and requirements throughout the renegotiation of the relationship. They have shown a willingness to work with us to enhance their positive presence, to address privacy and opt-out issues, develop appropriate marketing messages, and to work to respect our populations. Their collaboration has been critical to our faith in the benefits of the renewed partnership and its value to Penn over the next five years.

Thank you for supporting Penn and Penn Visa.

--Lee Nunery, Vice President, Business Services

  Almanac, Vol. 49, No. 21, February 11, 2003