Mayor Linda Jackson signs the back of the Vaughan Municard.

Mayor Linda D. Jackson and Members of Council today introduced the City of Vaughan MuniCard MasterCard issued by GE Money Trust Company, a financially regulated financial institution and member of the GE Money-Canada family. The innovative card heralds a new era in consumer loyalty credit card programs, where residential property owners can translate their existing spending into savings on their municipal property tax bill. "Our Council and community have spearheaded this program with Civic Strategies because we think it is a terrific concept," said Mayor Jackson. "Our municipality is saying use your City of Vaughan MuniCard MasterCard and earn rewards to pay towards your property tax at the same time. I can't imagine a municipality that wouldn't want to participate in a reward program like this."

The City of Vaughan MuniCard MasterCard is available to all residential property owners of the City of Vaughan. The MuniCard program designed by Civic Strategies is distinctive for many reasons:

• Rewards earned on purchases anywhere in the world MasterCard cards are accepted are translated into cash and deposited once a year into the cardholder's residential property tax account.
• The card carries no annual fee.
• Cardholders earn rewards of up to one percent of their purchases all year around.
• Reward points never go unused because they are deposited in the property owner's municipal tax account.
• Civic Strategies' MuniCard Program includes a merchant discount program.
• Residents benefit from point-of-sale discounts offered by local merchants enrolled in the MuniCard Program.
• Local business benefits by attracting customers through the point-of- sale discounts and marketing support from Civic Strategies.
• The City of Vaughan benefits from increased business activity in the community.

"This is a win-win situation," said Giorgio Gianniotti, founder, president and CEO of Civic Strategies Inc. "Cardholders are able to reduce payments on their residential property tax bill by collecting rewards from all spending that goes on their Vaughan MuniCard MasterCard. They save even more money by shopping at participating Vaughan businesses. And, on top of that, the program does not cost the city one cent!

"This City of Vaughan MuniCard MasterCard is a ground-breaking reward program which can be adopted by any and all municipalities." Gianniotti added.

Gianniotti, the creator of the MuniCard program, won the backing of Vaughan Council to find a finance company to issue the card. GE Money, the consumer lending unit of the General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) and MasterCard Canada are the first in Canada to market with this co-brand municipal credit card.

"GE Money is pleased to be part of this unique partnership," said Valerie Gregory, vice-president and general manager, cards, at GE Money. "The City of Vaughan MuniCard MasterCard, which will be offered by GE Money Trust Company, a federally regulated financial institution and part of the GE Money-Canada family, produces a tangible benefit both to the citizens of the City of Vaughan and the local business community."

Toronto based Civic Strategies will provide everything from a controlled audit system between the city and GE Money, to complete customer and marketing support.

For more information and to apply for the card please visit www.municard.ca.

Mayor Linda Jackson, Members of Vaughan Council and representatives from
Civic Strategies and GE Money display the new Vaughan Municard at its official launch at the Civic Centre.

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