Upromise Launches Innovative Way to Help Merchants Increase Customer Loyalty While Providing New College Savings Opportunities

NEWTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Upromise, Inc. today announced a new platform to provide companies an additional way to help Americans earn college savings rewards to offset the rising cost of education. McDonald’s is the first to leverage the innovative new platform and bring consumers college savings on a gift card through the highly popular McDonald’s Arch Card®.

“Together with Upromise, we’ve helped our customers save nearly $1.3 million for college”

Gift cards have become increasingly popular in recent years, with U.S. retail gift card volume having reached over $18.6 billion in 2006, according to the National Retail Federation. Upromise’s gift card program offers a unique opportunity for companies to differentiate themselves by creating a positive brand halo by demonstrating a commitment to help make a college education achievable. It also helps businesses increase customer acquisition and loyalty by encouraging customers not only to acquire gift cards from Upromise merchant partners, but also to re-load them after initial use. Upromise actively markets participating companies to its over eight million members across the country.

“Together with Upromise, we’ve helped our customers save nearly $1.3 million for college,” said Georgina Roy, director, U.S. marketing entertainment alliances, McDonald’s Corporation. “Today, we’re providing our customers with yet another innovative way to save for college whenever they purchase — or add to the balance of — an Arch Card, either for themselves or for any gift-giving occasion.”

In addition to earning one percent in college saving rewards on the purchase of an Arch Card or when re-loading the card’s balance, Upromise members will continue to earn rewards from the purchase of McDonald’s gift certificates. To earn rewards, Upromise members can purchase Arch Cards or gift certificate books at participating McDonald's restaurants. Then, simply register the gift card or gift certificate online at Upromise.com to earn rewards.

“When Upromise first launched, McDonald’s was among the first to step up and express their commitment to helping their customers overcome the college savings dilemma; so it’s fitting that they’re the first to participate in this innovative new program,” said David Rochon, president, Upromise. “As gift cards continue to gain in popularity, it is the perfect time for retailers to join Upromise and offer their customers the added value of holiday gifts that also provide college savings.”

The Upromise gift card program is easy to use and provides an opportunity for consumers to earn rewards from what might otherwise have been cash purchases, giving consumers an incentive to purchase and reload gift cards. Consumers simply register any gift card they purchase from a participating company to receive a percentage back for college savings. Once a card is registered, the consumer will automatically earn cash rewards each time they re-load the card balance.

About Upromise

Launched in April 2001, Upromise was founded with the mission to help make college affordable for all Americans. Membership is free and helps families to save money for college while making everyday purchases of products and services at more than 21,000 grocery and drug stores, 14,000 gas stations, 7,000 restaurants, as well as thousands of retail stores, and more than 550 online shopping sites. Upromise’s partners include Citi®, ExxonMobil Corporation, Bed Bath & Beyond, Kimberly-Clark, McDonald’s®, JCPenney.com, LandsEnd.com, Sears.com, and hundreds of others. Upromise also makes it easy for families to start their own college savings strategy through tax-advantaged 529 college savings plans, or by using Upromise contributions to help pay off student loans. These securities are offered through Upromise Investments, Inc. (member NASD/SIPC). Upromise is a wholly owned subsidiary of SLM Corporation (NYSE: SLM), commonly known as Sallie Mae, the nation’s leading provider of saving-and-paying-for-college programs. Upromise is headquartered in Newton, Mass., and has more than 350 employees. For additional information visit www.Upromise.com.

About McDonald’s:

McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 13,700 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. For more information about McDonald's visit www.mcdonalds.com.