Purchase, N.Y., Oct. 6, 2009 -- MasterCard Worldwide announced today that leading independent gasoline-convenience store retailer Hess will accept MasterCard PayPass at more than 870 company-operated Hess and Hess Express locations along the eastern United States. In addition to traditional magnetic-stripe payment cards, Hess will accept MasterCard PayPass at check-out counters at these locations by early 2010 to provide customers with quicker transactions and greater payment convenience.



"Our customers are always looking for greater speed, security and convenience at Hess locations, and increasingly they prefer electronic forms of payment over cash," said Rick Lawlor, vice president, Retail Sales and Marketing, Hess Corporation. "Accepting MasterCard PayPass means we can meet our customers' needs and continue to enhance the customer experience, which is the Hess Way."



With MasterCard PayPass, Hess customers simply tap their PayPass-enabled MasterCard card or device on a PayPass-accepting reader at check-out. Cardholders benefit from additional security because the card never leaves the customer's hand. MasterCard PayPass also does not require customers to sign receipts for purchases under $25, further speeding up the transaction. This amount will increase to $50 as of October 16th.



The use of contactless payment cards continues to see exponential growth. As of second quarter 2009, MasterCard had issued nearly 61 million MasterCard PayPass cards or devices, which can be used at over 153,000 merchant locations globally.



"Hess branded locations are the perfect environment for MasterCard PayPass because the value of faster transactions at the point of sale translates directly to busy customers who don't want to spend time waiting in line," said Cathleen Conforti, senior vice president, Global PayPass, MasterCard Worldwide. "As more customers turn to electronic payments over cash, by accepting MasterCard PayPass, Hess is taking another step to meet customer needs, and deliver great customer service and throughput at the register."



Growing usage and acceptance of contactless payments reflects growing consumer preference for electronic payments over cash for everyday purchases. According to MasterCard research, about 94 percent of PayPass-using respondents to a 2008 MasterCard PayPass Benchmark Study were satisfied with their experience, and 77 percent of consumers that have a PayPass-enabled card use it as their primary form of payment.



About Hess Corporation



Hess Corporation (NYSE:HES), with headquarters in New York, is a global integrated energy company engaged in the exploration, development, production, purchase, transportation and sale of crude oil and natural gas as well as the production and sale of refined petroleum, natural gas and electricity products. Hess is one of the leading independent gasoline-convenience store retailers on the East Coast with retail outlets in 16 states from Massachusetts to Florida. For more information, please visit www.hessexpress.com .



About MasterCard® PayPass(TM)



MasterCard PayPass is ideal for traditional cash-heavy environments where speed is essential, and has led the way in bringing contactless technology to consumer categories such as quick serve restaurants, drug stores, gas stations, vending machines, convenience stores, sports arenas, movie theaters, transit systems, taxis, parking garages and more. As of Q2 2009, there are nearly 61 million MasterCard PayPass cards and devices in use at over 153,000 merchants worldwide, including participating BP, Best Buy, 7-Eleven, CVS, McDonald's, Petco and many others. PayPass also is accepted at numerous professional football and baseball stadiums. For more information about MasterCard PayPass and a full list of participating merchants, visit www.mastercard.com/paypass .



About MasterCard Worldwide



MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes approximately 21 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial-institution customers and merchants. Powered by the MasterCard Worldwide Network and through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information go to www.mastercard.com .



Source: Company press release.