Cash withdrawal from K-stores nationwide by summer - Kesko and Danske Bank to expand cooperation

2013-02-07 09:12:19 -
KESKO CORPORATION PRESS RELEASE 07.02.2013 AT 10.00 1(1)


Kesko and Danske Bank have agreed to expand their card cooperation and provide
the bank's customers with an opportunity to withdraw cash from K-food stores
when paying for their shopping. It will also be possible to attach a K-Plussa
identifier to Danske Bank's MasterCards in late 2013 and receive Plussa benefits
without a separate K-Plussa card.

The pilot project of Kesko's cashback service was launched in 30 K-markets
across Finland last November. The experiences gained from testing the service
have been positive and the objective is to expand the service nationwide in K-
food stores by the summer.

"The cashback service has been well received by our customers and it is a
suitable addition to the services offered by K-food stores. If required, 
  
    
      
        

	    
  
  cash
can be withdrawn in between shopping for groceries," says Jukka Erlund, Kesko's
Senior Vice President, CFO.

Kesko and Danske Bank will expand their K-Plussa and card cooperation. At the
first stage, K-food stores' cashback service will be available for Danske Bank
customers, enabling them to use the bank's debit cards to withdraw money when
shopping at the K-food stores that provide the cashback service.

"The opportunity to withdraw cash complements the cash service options already
available for the bank's customers. The cashback service will be available for
over 500,000 customers of Danske Bank," says Kenneth Kaarnimo, Head of Personal
Banking at Danske Bank.

K-Plussa feature to Danske Bank's MasterCards

Customers value versatile K-Plussa customer loyalty benefits and gaining
benefits will be easier than ever before for Danske Bank customers. They will be
able to combine the K-Plussa feature with the MasterCards in Danske Bank's
customer packages in late 2013. The co-branding card makes transactions faster
and customers have one card less in their wallets.

Further information:
Eija Jantunen, Vice President, Finance & Accounting Services, Kesko Corporation,
tel. +358 10 532 2500
Juha Andelin, Development Manager, Kesko Corporation, tel. +358 10 532 7360
Kenneth Kaarnimo, Head of Personal Banking, Danske Bank Plc, tel. +358 10  546
8319
Timo J. Anttila, Head of Communications, Danske Bank Plc, tel. +358 400 508 540

Kesko (www.kesko.fi) is one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in
the World. We are a retail specialist whose chains have about 2,000 stores in
the Nordic and Baltic countries, Russia, and Belarus. Our stores offer quality
to the daily lives of consumers.
K-Plussa is the largest customer loyalty programme in Finland: there are 3.8
million Finnish K-Plussa cardholders in 2.2 million households.




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Source: Kesko Oyj via Thomson Reuters ONE
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