WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Kaiku Finance announced that it has been selected by Rovio Entertainment to create Rovio’s first co-branded prepaid debit card in the US. Available in early 2013, the KAIKU® Angry Birds™ Visa® Prepaid Card will join KAIKU’s already successful silver and black reloadable Visa prepaid debit cards as the latest addition to KAIKU’s line of personal finance tools.
One of the most recognized brands of today’s generation, Angry Birds’ popularity has soared since its debut in December 2009. With more than 1 billion downloads, Angry Birds is the fastest growing consumer brand and the most downloaded game of all time. After winning two awards for branding and merchandising at the 2012 Licensing Expo, including Overall Best Licensed Program of the Year, Rovio has entrusted Kaiku Finance for its first foray into personal finance.
Much like Angry Birds, the prepaid industry has enjoyed phenomenal growth. In 2011, the prepaid industry grew by nearly 20% according to the Mercator Advisory Group, supporting the notion that prepaid has become a popular personal finance tool. An Aite Group study found that prepaid is no longer a card of last resort; in fact, many prepaid users earn more than $45,000 annually, have a college degree, a checking account and a credit card. Just like Angry Birds redefined mobile gaming, KAIKU is committed to redefining the prepaid debit card industry by offering products that are transparent, affordable and something consumers can feel good about using in their everyday life.
“Rovio and KAIKU share a common philosophy in that we love to delight our fans with products that are affordable and packed with great features that fit today’s lifestyle.” said Andrew Stalbow, Rovio’s EVP of Strategic Partnerships and General Manager of North America.
The KAIKU Angry Birds Card will be available in four unique designs featuring The Red Bird, The Yellow Bird, Bomb Bird and the Bad Piggies. While the cards bring a new look to your wallet, they offer the benefits of KAIKU’s Silver and Black Visa prepaid cards including:
- Ability to load funds with direct deposit, PayPal™, from a credit card, from a bank account, or by transfer from another KAIKU Card
- Access to more than 50,000 surcharge-free ATMs globally throughout the Allpoint Network and valid wherever Visa is accepted
- Free apps for iPhone®, Android™ and Blackberry® smartphones
- Free 24/7 customer service
- No inactivity fees or minimum balance requirements
“We launched KAIKU with a commitment to be a next-generation prepaid product for all kinds of consumers,” explained Jon Round, CEO of Kaiku Finance. “Angry Birds is one of the most popular global games today and therefore epitomizes widespread appeal. This makes Rovio an ideal partner to help us make prepaid a smart and affordable financial option in today’s increasingly cashless and mobile society.”
KAIKU’s line of reloadable prepaid debit cards offers some of the lowest fees in the industry. The combination of KAIKU’s sleek card design and feature-rich platform represent the next-generation of prepaid as an affordable and smart lifestyle choice, for all types of consumers to easily manage their money.
The KAIKU Angry Birds Visa Prepaid Card will be available exclusively at Kaiku.com. To learn more about the KAIKU Visa Prepaid Card, please visit: www.kaiku.com.
About Kaiku Finance, LLC
Kaiku Finance, LLC, is a provider of forward-thinking prepaid products and services, offering convenient, flexible and affordable alternatives to traditional banking. The KAIKU Visa Prepaid Card is a next-generation, reloadable debit card that empowers cardholders to more comfortably manage their finances by combining low fees with unsurpassed access, convenience and mobility. Product information can be located at: www.kaiku.com. For corporate information, please visit: www.kaikufinance.com.
About Rovio Entertainment
Rovio is an industry-changing entertainment media company headquartered in Finland, and the creator of the globally successful Angry Birds franchise. Angry Birds, a casual puzzle game, became an international phenomenon within a few months of its release, and is now the number one paid app of all time. Angry Birds have expanded rapidly in entertainment, publishing, and licensing to become a beloved international brand. www.rovio.com.
This card is issued by First California Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A Inc. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association and used under license. KAIKU is a registered ISO of First California Bank.
First California Bank is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and all cardholders funds are insured by the FDIC in accordance with the FDIC’s applicable terms and conditions.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50465155&lang=en