The Maestro Card
Over the past few decades, the emergence and widespread use of credit and debit banking cards has revolutionized the financial world. Advances in technology have made it possible to complete complex financial transactions with the simple swipe of a plastic card. In 1992, Mastercard introduced the Meastro card, a debit card that can be used internationally. The Maestro card is either linked to a customer's home bank account or funded with a prepaid amount. This is an easy and effective way to get access to cash at various locations throughout the world. Each card is linked to a specific 4-6 digit pin number to ensure security in authorizing transactions.
The Maestro card is currently accepted in over 100 countries. Like any bank card, the Maestro card can be used for point of sale (POS) transactions or can access cash through a vast network of ATM machines. In addition to these normal daily banking activities, the Maestro is becoming a more popular choice for transferring cash from one part of the world to another.
Sending money internationally is a task that comes with several concerns needing to be addressed. People who wish to send money to foreign countries must find methods that are reliable, safe, fast, and cost effective. Very often, these are complicated transactions for both the person sending cash and the recipient of the transferred funds. The best method for sending cash overseas varies depending on the point of origin and the destination for the funds, but the Maestro card is a viable option in many parts of the country.
The way it works is fairly simple. Mastercard has developed a program called Moneysend that allows people sending funds to transfer money directly to a recipient's Maestro card. These transfers can be initiated from ATM machines, the internet, and even mobile phones. An individual in the United States, for example, could send cash to someone in India by initiating a Moneysend transfer.
This is most easily done through the individual's bank, which will help to ensure that the transfer can be completed and that it is initiated properly. Fees for this service vary depending on the banks being used. The money can usually be accessed through the recipient's Maestro card within just 1-2 business days. The recipient of the funds can either access the cash at an ATM machine or use the Maestro card to make purchases through any merchant that accepts the Maestro card as a form of payment.
While it may take slightly longer for a recipient to have access to Moneysend funds than it would be if the money was wired directly, this is an extremely convenient way to send money overseas without having to endure the hassle of finding a money transfer agent, which can call for a considerable amount of legwork. The Maestro card makes it possible to send money in a fast, secure, reliable fashion through a simple program that removes a lot of the headaches associated with money transfers.
For more information on sending money or money transfer both within the United States and abroad visit AtmCash
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
Added: June 19, 2008
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