Octopus Partners with Mastercard to Make Online Payment More Inclusive
In March, Octopus Cards Limited (OCL) and Mastercard jointly launched O! ePay Mastercard - the world's first reloadable virtual Platinum prepaid Mastercard, which is available to all O! ePay customers for a seamless global online shopping experience.
Hosted by Sunny Cheung, CEO of OCL and Helena Chen, Managing Director, Hong Kong and Macau of Mastercard, a media conference was held to announce the details of the collaboration, and the key benefits and features of O! ePay Mastercard.
O! ePay Mastercard will especially appeal to younger customers with growing global online shopping needs, as well as those who prefer not to use their credit or debit cards online. A host of best-in-class features also give O! ePay Mastercard customers freedom and control in their everyday online shopping.
Successful Launch of the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme
OCL supports the Government in launching the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme to relieve the fare burden of commuters travelling by public transport, and the scheme was successfully implemented on 1 January.
On the 16th of each month, commuters can collect the public transport fare subsidy of the previous month by tapping their Octopus through various subsidy collection channels. The subsidy will then be credited to the Octopus. The subsidy for each month is valid for collection within 3 months.
Details of the scheme are available on the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme website.
Celebrating the Year of Pig with Media Friends
OCL held the 2019 Octopus Media Spring Luncheon in March to celebrate the Year of Pig with some 40 journalists from key media organisations in Hong Kong.
CEO Sunny Cheung, together with the company’s senior management members, shared the latest business developments of the company with the media friends at this festive gathering, and mingled with them through relaxed and fun-filled games. As a token of our appreciation, each guest received a personalised Chinese New Year festive card especially for the occasion.
Octopus Management Engages in Stakeholder Activities
Senior management of OCL had been invited to speak on a number of occasions, sharing the latest industry views and trends with key stakeholders.
In January, CEO Sunny Cheung was invited to the “CEOs Meet CEOs Luncheon” organised by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service as a keynote speaker to talk about how Octopus stood out in the payment market, and his leadership wisdom across Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). He had also attended the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce Roundtable Luncheon and spoke at the Global Directorship Programme Luncheon 2019.
In addition, Chief Auditor Andrew Ip spoke at the Internal Audit Best Practices 2019 Conference on how Internal Audit can truly add value to be a strategic business partner with Octopus Cards.
In February, Sunny Cheung was invited as the moderator at the City University MBA Sharp Forum, talking about the potential benefits and challenges brought forth by Faster Payment System (FPS) to Stored Value Facilities (SVF) operators, and Head of Business Development Andy Yip, spoke to the Banking, Finance and Insurance Institute of Nepal, for Hong Kong Management Association Annual Conference 2019.
OCL Annual Spring Dinner 2019
The OCL Annual Dinner was held in late February to acknowledge colleagues’ hard work and dedications. The dinner's theme was “Octopus Grows with You”, and it showcased a fun-filled live performance with a series of 90s songs and movies by senior management and colleagues, in addition to a thrilling lucky draw, music and dance performances as well as “Octopus’ Got Talent” competition. The senior management team also recognised colleagues’ accomplishment by presenting long service, volunteer and best employee of the year awards during the occasion. What an evening full of excitement, laughter and fun!
OND Supports the Trial of EMV Travels in the Netherlands
Octopus Netherlands (OND) and Scheidt & Bachmann (S&B) Nederland BV are pleased to have supported Trans Link Systems B.V. and Nederlandse Spoorwegen (the Dutch National Railway) to launch a trial of using a bank or credit card to pay for travel between Leiden and The Hague.
From 22 January, passengers with a contactless bank or credit card from one of the six major banks in the Netherlands (ABN AMRO, ING, Rabobank, SNS, ASN Bank and RegioBank) or a contactless Mastercard or Visa credit card issued by International Card Services could participate in the trial. Participants can use the bank card or contactless credit card to check-in and check-out at selected OV-Chipkaart readers at the railway stations. Octopus/S&B back-office processes their travel records overnight, and bills the card issuer.
If the trial is successful, bank card payments will be gradually introduced throughout the Netherlands. Continued modifications to the smartcard system as well as the back office systems are anticipated, such that different operating concessions can be included in the future.
