U.S. Bancorp’s U.S. Bank, the fifth largest commercial bank in the country, and The Kroger Co, one of the nation’s largest grocery retailers, has recently announced that U.S. Bank will issue credit cards and reloadable prepaid debit cards with rewards to help Kroger customers save money on groceries and fuel.
Customers who shop at Kroger’s family of stores – including Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, Dillons, QFC and City Market – will earn free groceries and fuel discounts with every purchase when they use their various reward cards issued by Kroger Personal Finance – 1-2-3 Rewards MasterCard, Fred Meyer Rewards MasterCard, Ralphs rewards plus MasterCard, or Visa prepaid debit card with 1-2-3 Rewards from U.S. Bank. Offering this suite of Rewards cards is the next step in a long-standing strategic alliance between U.S. Bank and Kroger.
Beginning November 8, existing cardholders’ accounts will transfer to U.S. Bank, which gives Kroger customers access to new benefits such as mobile banking and 24-hour customer service.
“This is an exciting milestone for U.S. Bank, and we’re confident that the card programme will offer Kroger’s loyal customers more value by rewarding them every time they shop – whether it’s inside one of their nearly 2,500 supermarkets or for everyday purchases,” said Cliff Cook, chief marketing officer for U.S. Bank Retail Payment Solutions.
Cardholders who make purchases using their rewards card automatically earn points toward reward certificates for free groceries. Every dollar spent earns rewards points, with double points earned for purchases made in Kroger’s family of stores and triple points for buying private label products. Additionally, cardholders may earn an extra five-cents-per-gallon discount on fuel purchases at participating Kroger-operated fuel centres.
“Kroger is thrilled to partner with U.S. Bank to offer an exciting suite of rewards cards that help Kroger customers to earn free groceries and fuel discounts,” said Kathy Kelly, president of Kroger Personal Finance. “U.S. Bank shares our commitment to listening to customers and offering the right financial products that reward them for their loyalty.”
U.S. Bank’s extensive financial services relationship with Kroger began in 1930. U.S. Bank currently provides a number of retail, corporate banking, trust, capital markets and credit services for Kroger. Kroger has nearly 2,500 locations operating under several brand names and U.S. Bank operates bank branches in 191 of those locations through an in-store banking relationship.
Kroger Personal Finance offers customers convenient, affordable personal finance products and services from preferred providers. These include credit cards, gift and prepaid cards, insurance, ID theft protection and in-store money services such as check cashing, Coinstar and Western Union.
— IndiaRetailing Bureau
