Last summer Catalina Card Services announced that Matt Montes, the Founder and former COO of AccountNow, Inc. would be joining their ranks as President and playing a pivotal role in shaping the company’s strategic direction in the prepaid card universe. Catalina is now introducing the inFusion Prepaid Debit MasterCard.

Catalina claims that the new Infusion card will help consumers safeguard their payroll, government benefits and cash. Similar to many prepaid debit cards, the InFusion MasterCard deposits are FDIC insured up to $250,000, offer a bill pay platform and have free direct deposit. What appears to be a unique feature is the cardholder’s ability to sign up for nationwide mobile phone service on the site. Catalina says that their partner, Simple Mobile’s unlimited wireless plan could save customers $50 per month. On the “how it works” page of Infusion’s website, a colorful graphic represents the various features of the prepaid card including Simple Mobile.

Matt Montes, President of Catalina was quoted:

“Our Infusion Prepaid MasterCard offers our customers a safe place to deposit their payroll or benefits in addition to the worldwide purchasing strength that comes with a MasterCard card. Our InFusion Prepaid MasterCard Card is designed to appeal to those who are unhappy with their current financial institution as well as those working hard to get a fresh start. At InFusion, we only care about our customer’s future, not their past.”

Montes claims it his mission to move the value platform of prepaid debit cards forward by offering more features and benefits than what currently exists in the market today.

Montes added:

“Our goal is not only to offer valuable low cost financial services that work similar to a checking account but to also lower our customers’ total cost of living so that they can live better. Services like unlimited nationwide low cost mobile plans are just the beginning. Our InFusion Prepaid MasterCard Card is leading the way in prepaid advancement.”

Upon review of Infusion’s fees on their website, GetDebit.com noticed that for those utilizing direct deposit the cost savings was notable:

• One time set up fee of $6.50 is waived
• Standard monthly fee of $6.50 reduced to $3.50 (recurring $500 min direct deposit within 60 days)
• The cash advance (over the counter) fee of $4.95 is waived
• The first LIVE customer service call each month is FREE vs. $2.00 per call without direct deposit
• All automated customer service calls are FREE vs. $0.50 per call without direct deposit

Upon GetDebit’s final analysis, many of the other InFusion Prepaid MasterCard fees appear to be in line or even less than many of the prepaid debit cards on the market today. Catalina Card Service’s InFusion prepaid card should be considered as a preferred alternative to traditional banking and payday check cashing, especially for those utilizing direct deposit from their employer or benefits provider.