PURCHASE, N.Y. Sept. 23, 2009 -- MasterCard Advisors, the professional services arm of MasterCard Worldwide, announced a sweeping upgrade of its PortfolioAnalytics product, a Business Intelligence tool that enables financial institutions to better understand their customers.  In developing the new version, MasterCard Advisors combined their unique payments-focused expertise and data-based analytics with input from more than 75 users on their requirements for a best-in-class business intelligence tool. 

In announcing the new release, Jonathan Cetnarski, Global Practice Leader for MasterCard Advisors said, “By applying our technical and analytics expertise to the demands of our customers, we have been able to produce a business intelligence tool that is unmatched in the industry.  With increased levels of flexibility and granularity, our enhanced PortfolioAnalytics tool gives issuers and acquirers alike the power to transform masses of data into actionable insights.”

The previous releases of PortfolioAnalytics provided valuable reports on MasterCard portfolio performance at the highest institutional level.  The redesigned tool provides broader and deeper views into their portfolio performance, allowing issuers to investigate high-level summaries or drill down to custom-defined card sets and to filter by parameters such as cross border, point of interaction, and account ranges.

Based on their deep experience in segmentation-based strategies, MasterCard Advisors recognized the importance of an adjustable data lens.  The increased granularity now offered by PortfolioAnalytics allows financial institutions vastly improved flexibility in the analyses they can perform, whether looking at spending trends, cardholder behavior by segment, or the effectiveness of promotional offers.  

MasterCard Advisors also recognized the unique needs of acquirers.  Cetnarski noted, “PortfolioAnalytics has been enhanced to include new reporting specifically designed to help our acquiring partners streamline operational efficiencies as well as define market strategies.” 

The increased analytic power of PortfolioAnalytics is matched by a revamped report generator.  Along with improved graphics, online training and help, the Web-based interface offers a wide range of new and enhanced report packages.  It allows users to view and compare multiple reports at the same time, and to perform a variety of analytical and search functions.  “On the one hand, PortfolioAnalytics, along with its advanced tools and applications, is comprehensive enough to instantly generate a consolidated report of two separate card portfolios, if, for example, one bank merges with another,” said Cetnarski. “And on the other, it can compare levels of monthly travel spending between business cards in New York and Chicago.”
 
About MasterCard Advisors
MasterCard Advisors provides payments consulting, information, analytics, and customized services to financial institutions and their merchant partners worldwide.  Addressing complex challenges in strategy, marketing, risk, and operations, MasterCard Advisors helps clients maximize the value of their payments businesses.  As the professional services arm of MasterCard Worldwide, MasterCard Advisors is uniquely qualified to provide clients with insights and solutions that drive tangible impact and financial gain.  For more information, go to www.mastercardadvisors.com.
 
About MasterCard Worldwide
MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide.  As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes approximately 21 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial-institution customers and merchants.  Powered by the MasterCard Worldwide Network and through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories.  For more information go to www.mastercard.com.