Metro inks deal with US Bank for new ID card

Metro will implement a new identification card that will also be a US Bank VISA card in Spring 2010.

Associate Vice President of Administration and Finance George Middlemist said the contract was signed the week of July 13.

“We like the US Bank program because it’s different than other card programs. It’s not a use it or loose it like a gift card. It’s also the students’ bank card, it’s their money,” said Middlemist.

The card is a VISA debit card but functions like a credit card. It can be used anywhere, and unlike a debit card, a student can spend more than $500 per day, making paying tuition or buying books easy.

The cards will be issued on campus in the Tivoli, where students’ identification cards for all three school are issued.

Students will need to fill out an application for the card and within minutes will have the card said Middlemist.

Unlike a credit card, the ID/bank card will have printed, not embossed numbers. There is also no possibility for the card being lost or stolen in the mail.

Once a student receives the card it has to be activated by taking the card to a US Bank ATM.

Students will have the option to select the new ID/bank card or a traditional ID.

Metro plans to start testing the new cards by September to identify any problems with the new system.

Middlemist said the cards will be available to all students in the spring semester.