Huntington Partners with Mastercard to Offer an Enhanced Debit Card as the Most Recent Step in the Bank’s "Fair Play” Approach to Consumers

Huntington (NASDAQ: HBAN; www.huntington.com) and MasterCard Worldwide (http://www.mastercard.com) today announced that Huntington is converting its debit card programs to MasterCard and upgrading all its customers to a Platinum Debit MasterCard®. As part of the partnership, Huntington will also implement the world-class debit and ATM transaction processing capabilities of MasterCard Integrated Processing Solutions^® (IPS).

Huntington Bank's new Platinum Debit MasterCard(R) comes with the ground-breaking Asterisk-Free Checking and offers all its customers zero liability, worldwide acceptance and remains fee-free to use. (Photo: Business Wire)

In addition, as the next step in Huntington’s differentiated "Fair Play Banking” philosophy, the bank re-confirmed its commitment to remaining fee-free for debit card usage for its customers. This follows the May 2011 introduction of Huntington’s ground-breaking Asterisk-Free Checking^™, which is free to open, has no monthly checking maintenance fee, no minimum balance and no check or debit card usage requirements – and it includes free ID Theft Resolution Services and 24-Hour Grace^®.

"We are excited to partner with MasterCard to give all our customers a much better, value-enhanced platinum debit card making it part of our ‘Fair Play Banking’ philosophy of bringing superior value to our customers,” said Huntington CEO Steve Steinour. "This is an alliance of two strong financial brands with a shared commitment to their customers. This debit card is free to use and automatically comes with Asterisk-Free Checking, which Money Magazine cited in naming Huntington ‘Best Regional Bank – Midwest’ in their September issue, or Huntington Plus Checking. These enhanced features will be very beneficial to our customers.”

The conversion of Huntington’s debit portfolio to MasterCard will include the nearly 1.5 million consumer and business debit cards issued by the bank. Huntington customers began receiving their new Debit MasterCard^® cards in early October, with all checking customers expected to have the new cards in hand by November 1.

"We look forward to continuing to work with Huntington to help enhance their debit offering and empower their customers to get the most out of their daily financial activities,” said Chris McWilton, president, U.S. Markets, MasterCard Worldwide. "Every time Huntington’s customers use their Debit MasterCard, they will benefit from the world-class convenience, service and value our products represent.”

Card benefits include an upgrade for all Huntington customers to a platinum Debit MasterCard Card and fee-free debit purchases. The new cards also will feature:

• Zero liability for unauthorized transactions
• Unsurpassed worldwide acceptance everywhere Debit MasterCard is accepted, including at ATMs
• 60-day price protection – can refund the difference on most new purchases if you buy something and see it advertised for less within the next 60 days, plus other valuable benefits from MasterCard

In addition to converting the debit card programs, Huntington will also be using MasterCard IPS to connect to Huntington’s processing platform. MasterCard IPS is a MasterCard-engineered debit and ATM processing platform that offers financial institutions a complete processing solution to create differentiated products and services and quickly expand payments portfolios across channels.

Along with other recent enhancements – 24-Hour Grace, Asterisk-Free Checking, re-furbished branches and expanded hours – Huntington’s new partnership with MasterCard is yet another step the bank is taking to put its customers first, and an important part of its overall strategy to offer more benefits and better convenience for its customers.

Huntington’s "Fair Play Banking” philosophy, which is centered on providing greater transparency and value for customers, is working and will continue to influence the bank’s future banking products and services. The conversion to MasterCard is part of this philosophy and will be supported by a multi-channel customer communication plan including email, letters and online messaging.

For more information about Huntington, 24-Hour Grace or Asterisk-Free Checking, visit https://www.huntington.com or call 1-800-480-2265.

About Huntington

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a $55 billion regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Huntington National Bank, founded in 1866, provides full-service commercial, small business, and consumer banking services; mortgage banking services; treasury management and foreign exchange services; equipment leasing; wealth and investment management services; trust services; brokerage services; customized insurance brokerage and service programs; and other financial products and services. The principal markets for these services are Huntington’s six-state banking franchise: Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The primary distribution channels include a banking network of over 650 traditional branches and convenience branches located in grocery stores and retirement centers, and through an array of alternative distribution channels including internet and mobile banking, telephone banking, and over 1,300 ATMs. Through automotive dealership relationships within its six-state banking franchise area and selected other Midwest and New England states, Huntington also provides commercial banking services to the automotive dealers and retail automobile financing for dealer customers.

About MasterCard

MasterCard (NYSE: MA) is a global payments and technology company. It operates the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard’s products and solutions make everyday commerce activities - such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances - easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Learn more at www.mastercard.com, follow us on Twitter @mastercardnews or join the conversation on The Heart of Commerce Blog.

Member FDIC. The logo mark, Huntington ^® and 24-Hour Grace ^® are federally registered service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. Huntington Welcome™, Asterisk-Free Checking™ and Huntington Plus Checking ™ are service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50045460&lang=en