WILMINGTON, Del., Oct. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- MBNA America Bank, the largest
independent credit card lender in the world, is introducing the first bankcard
technology that protects Customers against credit card number theft while they
shop online.  MBNA ShopSafe(SM), an exclusive Internet-based security feature,
generates a substitute card number when Customers purchase online.
    The Customer's actual credit card number is never revealed and never
travels on the Internet, eliminating any threat that the credit card account
could be compromised either during a transaction or while residing in an
e-merchant database.  This revolutionary technology was developed to address
the concern that credit card number theft is a primary barrier to online
shopping.  The MBNA ShopSafe service will be available to MBNA Customers this
fall through MBNA's MasterCard and Visa programs.
    The new technology is just another step in MBNA's long history of putting
Customer satisfaction first and in protecting against fraud, according to
Michelle Shepherd, vice chairwoman.  "Exceptional Customer satisfaction is the
foundation of MBNA's success.  Our research identified our Customers' concern
about online security, and we are offering this technology to assure them
complete peace of mind while shopping on the Internet."
    MBNA Customers will have even more control over any online purchase by
setting a specific dollar amount and time limit for the substitute credit card
number.  And, due to the worldwide acceptance of MasterCard and Visa,
Customers have the assurance that they can use the MBNA ShopSafe service at
virtually any e-merchant.  The MBNA ShopSafe service is free to all MBNA
Customers and is easy to use.  No special hardware or chip-embedded cards are
required and online enrollment is immediate.  The process is seamless both for
Customers and e-retailers, who will conduct transactions as always.
    The MBNA ShopSafe service is offered under a licensing agreement with
Orbiscom, Inc.
    MBNA Customers and others can learn more about the MBNA ShopSafe(SM)
service by going to http://www.mbna.com.
    MBNA Corporation (NYSE: KRB), a bank holding company and parent of MBNA
America Bank, N.A., a national bank, has $84.7 billion in managed loans.
MBNA, the largest independent credit card lender in the world, also provides
retail deposit, consumer loan, and insurance products.  MBNA.com
(http://www.MBNA.com) provides credit card, consumer loan, retail deposit, travel,
and shopping services.

SOURCE  MBNA Corporation