LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., July 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- American Express and
Astoria Federal, the sixth largest thrift in the United States, today
announced a joint initiative to offer American Express(r) Travelers Cheques,
Cheques For Two(r), TravelFunds(r) Cards, Gift Cheques, and Gift Cards
throughout Astoria Federal's 86-branch retail banking network beginning July
14.
"The American Express brand has a very high perceived value among
consumers, and the synergy created by our two companies will greatly benefit
our customers throughout Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester,"
said Brian Edwards, Astoria Federal Senior Vice President of Marketing. "This
new relationship gives us the opportunity to demonstrate to our customers one
more way we are 'Putting people first' by expanding our product offerings to
quickly and conveniently meet their travel and gift purchasing needs."
"Today's savvy consumers are looking for products that offer greater
flexibility, security and utility," said Valerie Soranno Keating, president,
American Express Travelers Cheques and Prepaid Services. "We're excited to
have the opportunity to work directly with Astoria Federal to meet the travel
and gifting needs of its customers throughout the many communities they
serve."
American Express Product Features and Benefits:
* American Express(r) Travelers Cheques and Cheques For Two(r) are
accepted almost everywhere in the world and are refundable if lost or
stolen, usually within 24 hours. American Express Travelers Cheques
and the TravelFunds Card offer worldwide passport and credit card
replacement assistance, at no additional cost, as well as American
Express customer service support worldwide 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week.
* The TravelFunds(r) Card from American Express is a prepaid, reloadable
card with all the safety and security of Travelers Cheques in a
convenient plastic card. The TravelFunds Card can be used at merchants
and ATMs worldwide that accept the American Express Card. The card
provides travelers with a safe and convenient way to carry their travel
funds, including the ability to obtain a refund, usually within 24
hours, if the card is lost or stolen. The card is also reloadable from
virtually anywhere. The TravelFunds Card is not linked to a bank
account, and provides a safer than cash alternative that provides
further protection from financial theft and loss.
* American Express(r) Gift Cheques are accepted almost anywhere through
out the United States and are refundable if lost or stolen, usually
within 24 hours.
* American Express(r) Gift Card is a prepaid card that can be used at
retailers and restaurants that accepts the American Express Card for
purchases throughout the United States. The American Express Gift Card
provides a convenient gift giving experience, because you never know
what they really want. The card is safer than other gift cards because
it is refundable if lost or stolen, usually with in 24 hours.
About American Express
American Express Company, founded in 1850, is a diversified global
financial, network and travel services provider. It is a leader in charge and
credit cards, financial planning, travel, investment products, insurance and
international banking.
American Express is also a leader in prepaid financial products. In
addition to the 113-year old American Express(r) Travelers Cheque -- the
preeminent brand welcomed worldwide -- the Company also offers the
TravelFunds(r) Card, Cheques for Two(r), Gift Cards, Gift Cheques, the Be My
Guest(r) dining card, as well as a range of corporate incentive prepaid
products through American Express Incentive Services.
About Astoria Federal Savings
Astoria Federal Savings and Loan Association is the wholly-owned
subsidiary of Astoria Financial Corporation (NYSE: AF). With assets of
$22.7 billion, Astoria Financial Corp. is the third largest thrift institution
headquartered in New York and sixth largest in the United States. Astoria
Federal embraces its philosophy of "Putting people first" by providing its
700,000 customers and the local communities it serves with quality financial
products and services through 86 convenient branches and multiple delivery
channels, including its website, http://www.astoriafederal.com. Astoria
commands the third largest deposit market share in the attractive Long Island
market, which includes Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties with a
population exceeding that of 39 individual states. Astoria originates
mortgage loans through its branches and loan production offices in New York,
an extensive broker network in 19 states, primarily on the East Coast, and
through correspondent relationships in 44 states.
SOURCE American Express Company; Astoria Financial Corporation;
Astoria
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Related links:
http://www.astoriafederal.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/104529.html
CONTACT:
Dianne Baumert-Moyik of Astoria Federal,
+1-516-327-7863, or cell, +1-516-903-1107,
dbaumert-moyik@astoriafederal.com; or Stephanie Stegich, American
Express, +1-212-640-6221, stephanie.a.stegich@aexp.com
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