Visa fashions new look with mini card

BRITAIN could be the next home of the credit card as fashion accessory as Visa looks to capitalise on the popularity of its new mini card.

The cards, less than half the size of ordinary plastic, and are designed to be worn around the neck, attached to a mobile phone or as earrings. Visa says that women find the offering 'cute, friendly and convenient'.

The reduced-size card has proved a hit in the US, where it was introduced by Bank of America in 2002, and in seven Asian countries last year, including fast-growing India and fashion-conscious Hong Kong.

Cristina De Parres, a spokeswoman for Visa International, said the Visa Mini was now being touted by two banks in Spain, and other European countries could soon follow.

'We have had a lot of interest for other members in the EU and hope to see more banks launching later this year,' she said.

While the tiny cards carry the same information as the regular ones, they cannot be used at cash machines. Bank of America has already issued 11m Visa Mini cards.