Toronto, April 10, 2008–Canada is entering a new era in payment technology with the migration to EMV (Europay, MasterCard and Visa) standard chip-enabled payment, a proven technology in use in many countries around the world. In order to successfully implement this migration, the Management Board of Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) has appointed Mr. Erwin Diekemper as president of G&D Canada.

Mr. Diekemper joins the Canadian operation from G&D’s headquarters in Munich, Germany; bringing with him more than 30 years of experience in the card industry and international experience in the G&D global network.

His appointment comes as Giesecke and Devrient continues its international growth strategy. G&D has created a global network of subsidiaries and built on its legacy of innovation to develop new technology to service a growing client base worldwide.

Before being assigned to the Canadian subsidiary, Mr. Diekemper was head of the Strategic Operations Projects group within the Cards and Services business Unit. In this role he completed a number of joint ventures including the design and construction of two new card manufacturing facilities in Istanbul, Turkey and Zelenograd, Russia.

He also established subsidiaries in France and Italy, securing G&D’s presence in those areas of Europe in addition to integrating two T-Mobile service centres in Germany to supply the European market.

Prior to working with G&D, Mr. Diekemper was a member of the board of directors of the German Cooperative Banks where he was in charge of the card program for 2,500 branches.

He brings his extensive experience to Canada at a pivotal time in the payment industry. As the leading provider of payment solutions for Canadian issuers, G&D Canada is working with its clients to successfully implement the EMV chip standard, as well as an even more convenient and secure technology, known as dual interface. This new technology offers both the security of a smart chip and the convenience of contactless payment.

“I am pleased to join G&D Canada during such a groundbreaking year,” said Mr. Diekemper. “As Canada moves to EMV standard chip-enabled payment technology throughout 2008, G&D Canada will continue be a trailblazer, offering innovative and secure payment solutions.”

G&D’s secure card solutions are also in use by government in Canada. The new high security Ontario Driver’s licence recently rolled off the G&D production line. This new card was designed to prevent product tampering and counterfeiting, and provide Ontario residents with increased protection against identity theft.

G&D Canada is confident with both Erwin Diekemper’s experience and the global resources of Giesecke & Devrient at our disposal; we are prepared to navigate our clients through the new landscape of payment technology.

About Giesecke & Devrient

Giesecke & Devrient Systems Canada, Inc. (G&D) is the Canadian subsidiary of Giesecke & Devrient GmbH, an international technology group operating over 52 subsidiaries and joint ventures throughout the world. Since 1962, G&D Canada has been the partner of choice to leading Canadian financial institutions, governments and industry in providing secure card systems for payment and identification. Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) is a technology leader in the field of smart cards, providing smart card based solutions for telecommunications, electronic payment, health care, ID, transportation, and IT security (PKI). G&D is also a leading producer of banknotes and security documents and is dominant in the field of currency automation. Based in Munich, Germany, the G&D group has subsidiaries and joint ventures around the world. In fiscal 2006, the Group employed close to 8,300 people and generated revenue of almost €1.3 billion. For more information, visit our Web site at http://www.ca.gi-de.com.

Media Contact

Jennifer Pain-Andrejin
Giesecke & Devrient, Canada
Manager, Marketing & Communications
(905) 946-2808
(800) 387-9794
Jennifer.pain-andrejin@gi-de.com