New York, NY, August 6, 2001–The Smart Card Alliance today announced that it will undertake a survey to measure the usage of smart cards in the United States and Canada. The research will be conducted by KPMG.

“As a strong voice for smart card adoption, the Alliance is proud to sponsor this original research that will provide the first concrete data on our industry in the 21st century. What we’re doing is establishing a benchmark,” said Bill Randle, Chairman of the Smart Card Alliance.

The survey will ask the top ten smart card manufacturers supplying the US and Canadian markets to report on shipments according to ten specific industry categories, such as wireless, financial and retail. The initial survey will cover shipments made in 1999, 2000 and the first half of 2001. A follow-up survey covering the last half of 2001 will be made in the first quarter of 2002.

“The US and Canadian smart card markets have experienced significant growth over the past several years”, said Dan A. Cunningham, Chairman of the Alliance’s Market Research Committee. “The purpose of the survey is to quantify this growth by industry, and distribute the results to our members and interested third parties.”

The survey is one of many initiatives of the Smart Card Alliance, a not-for-profit association formed earlier this year by the joining of forces of the Smart Card Forum and the Smart Card Industry Association. The goal of the Alliance is to promote the usage of smart card technology and related applications. The newly combined organization brings together all the players in the industry including leading banks and card issuers, technology firms as well as industrial and retail companies and government organizations interested in smart card development.

President and CEO of the Smart Card Alliance, Donna Farmer stated, “the combined resources and leadership of our new organization allow us to undertake projects like this survey, that neither predecessor organization could have done on its own.”

The results of the initial phase of the survey will be presented at the Alliance’s Annual Meeting in October 9-12th. The Alliance plans to continue the survey in 2002 and beyond to establish a well-defined trend line of smart card growth.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to assist the Smart Card Alliance in this endeavor,” stated Tim Harrison, a Principal in KPMG’s Information Risk Management group. “This survey will allow us to create a better understanding of the growth and use of smart card technology within the US and Canada over the past few years, ” he added.

About the Smart Card Alliance

The Smart Card Alliance is a not-for profit, multi-industry association of over 100 member firms working to accelerate the widespread acceptance of multiple application smart card technology. Through specific projects such as education programs, market research, advocacy, industry relations, and open forums the Alliance keeps its members connected to industry leaders and innovative thought. The Alliance also is the single industry voice for smart cards, leading industry discussion on the impact and value of smart cards in the U.S. More information about the Alliance is available at http://www.securetechalliance.org.

About KPMG

KPMG LLP is the accounting and tax firm that understands the needs of business in the global economy. We help our clients by devising results-oriented business strategies, providing insights that help them stay ahead of the competition and achieve market-leading results. KPMG LLP is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International. KPMG International’s member firms have more than 108,000 professionals, including 7,000 partners, in 159 countries. KPMG’s Web site is http://www.us.kpmg.com