Business and Finance Prepaid Card (B&F) Prepaid MasterCard Review

The Business and Finance Prepaid Card (B&F) MasterCard

What Prepaid? Summary - Card No Longer Available

Date Reviewed: August 2011

Which Prepaid Rating

What's Good

Readily accepted in over 25 million locations worldwide, as well as in over 1 million ATM machines in over 210 countries, there is a lot to like about the versatility of the B & F prepaid MasterCard. There are also no ATM or general transaction charges in the UK. There is also no danger of overspending due to the fact that all funds must be preloaded onto the card, establishing a safe and financially sensible restriction. Discounts on exchanging foreign currency are also available to sweeten the deal.

What's not so good?

In two words, additional charges. The card issue fee, coupled with the monthly payment fee, which must be kept are two of the less attractive features of an otherwise appealing prepaid card. The card is currently available only in sterling as well .

Key Features

Application Process

Very efficient application process, the best we have tested. Apply online and you will receive a confirmation letter the following day. This letter contains a barcode enabling you to make an initial top-up at the Post Office if you have not already paid for online. You then receive your prepaid MasterCard in around 3 days.

Card Design

Bright, bold and loud – presumably designed with a younger audience in mind..

Fees

A card issue fee of £9.99 does not get your relationship with this card off to the greatest start. There is also a monthly charge of £3.99 to contend with as well as a frustratingly petty card activation fee of £1.00. Transaction and ATM withdrawal charges are free though, bringing some balance .

Self Servicing

There is a multitude of reloading options with the B & F prepaid card. Participating UK banks, Payzone, Post Offices and the B & F office all have reloading facilities. You also have the options of cheque, postal order and bank transfer. Be warned though, that ALL of the options above carry a £1.50 reload fee as standard