17 Oct. 1997 Saskatoon...MasterCard Canada and SaskPower today announced a new twist on a familiar concept. Both companies are joining forces to offer SaskPower residential and farm customers the opportunity to accumulate points on a new credit card and use the point value to reduce their power bill.

The SaskPower PowerPoints MasterCard was unveiled today at a joint media conference in Saskatoon. Cardholders will accumulate one point for each dollar charged on this special MasterCard. When points have been accumulated, customers will be able to redeem them for cash savings on their power bill or a choice of more than 70 items in a merchandise catalogue.

Officially unveiling the SaskPower PowerPoints MasterCard were Gary Heatherington, Senior Vice President and General Manager, MasterCard Canada, and Kelly Staudt, Vice President and General Manager, Customer Services, SaskPower.

"Consumers today are looking for added value from their credit cards," stated Gary Heatherington of MasterCard. "This new PowerPoints MasterCard will give cardholders the opportunity to apply that added value to a basic necessity. Once again CUETS has been innovative in responding to the needs of today's consumer."

"The PowerPoints program is an opportunity to show appreciation to SaskPower customers in a meaningful way," stated Kelly Staudt of SaskPower. "Our Corporation intends to develop many new initiatives that will provide extra value for customers. The SaskPower PowerPoints MasterCard is just the beginning."

Also participating in today's announcement was Doug Scott, Director of Sales and Client Support, CUETS. CUETS, a rapidly-growing and innovative credit card company that, by revenue, is now one of the top 50 companies in Saskatchewan, will be providing administration and operational support to the PowerPoints program.

"We at SaskPower believe we have an exceptional partner in MasterCard and an outstanding administrator in CUETS," stated Staudt.

The SaskPower PowerPoints MasterCard will be available immediately to MasterCard approved residential and farm customers. Applications are available at SaskPower cashiering offices around the province of by calling 1-888-Points4 (1-888-764-6874).

For more information contact:

Larry Christie SaskPower (306) 566-3167 (Regina) or (888) 536-0000 (Toll free)