MasterCard has signed an agreement with H&R Block Bank, owned by H&R Block Inc., on a contract extension and five-year Debit MasterCard signature and PIN brand exclusivity. According to the conditions of the agreement H&R Block Bank will participate exclusively in the MasterCard network.

H&R Block Bank is the issuer of the H&R Block Emerald Prepaid MasterCard® that provides H&R Block’s retail tax clients with a convenient and secure access to tax refunds, payroll funds and other direct deposits. It has been declared that the H&R Block Bank has issued over 2.6 million cards last year and is planning to increase the number to 3 million this tax season. The cards are available mainly through the company’s network of 13,000 offices. Cardholders can reload cash to their cards at more than 40,000 retail locations across the country. Moreover, the card supports direct deposit of payroll funds.

H&R Block Inc. is the world’s preeminent tax services provider.