The Makro card (Makro platební karta), launched July 1, is an improved version of the My Key (Můj klíč) card — a Komerční banka debit card that is only valid for use at the wholesale retailer. The company launched the card in February 2002. My Key cards will continue to be honored at Makro stores through the end of the year.

A business-to-business wholesale retail chain, Makro caters to small retailers in 30 countries across Europe and in Morocco. Makro offers groceries and typical department store products to small to midsize businesses at wholesale prices. Until now, the chain, known in most countries as Metro, did not accept regular debit cards because the fees increased costs. The new Makro card will not only increase convenience but offer special benefits for the wholesaler, and give the bank the opportunity to reach a wider clientele through Makro's customer base of small to midsize businesses.

"The new card is a further service to the market segment we have traditionally considered important," said Marie Petrovová, spokeswoman for Komerční banka. "We are trying to increase our share of this market segment we consider very attractive."

Only companies and individual entrepreneurs with business licenses can become Makro customers. The new Makro card will also serve as clients' admission pass to the store.

Komerční banka clients can obtain the card for an annual fee of 490 Kč ($20), with discounts ranging from 25 to 75 percent for users of particular service packages. The card also offers overdraft protection of up to 100,000 Kč.

The My Key cards work like an Internet banking tool rather than a traditional bank card; holders can make payments through the Internet at a cash register, which offers entrepreneurs the ability to see transactions at their computers immediately after they go through. This becomes particularly convenient when an owner has delegated shopping duties to an employee.

The new Makro card also works like a regular debit card and can be used anywhere that accepts MasterCard, as well as at ATMs.

About 20 co-branded cards currently operate on the Czech market, according to Klaudia Tothová, marketing manager for MasterCard Czech Republic.

"The goal of a co-branded card is to offer some benefit to the cardholder — not only on the part of the bank, but also its business counterpart," Tothová said.

Besides the two Komerční banka cards, Makro accepts OK cards issued by GE Money Multiservice, a company offering layaway payment plans.

For Makro, the decision to add a standard bank debit card that does not pass costs on to the customer seemed an easy one.