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New Chartwell report shows industry ramping up debit and credit card acceptance options to keep customers satisfied

New Chartwell report shows industry ramping up debit and credit card acceptance options to keep customers satisfied

ATLANTA — Sept. 12, 2007 —With consumers increasingly using credit and debit for everyday purchases, utilities are pumping up electronic options to cater to “generation plastic” while trying to curtail their own bills for the expensive options. Chartwell found card acceptance at utilities has nearly doubled over the last seven years — from 41% in 1999 to 81% in 2006.

In its latest report on the topic, The Chartwell Report on Credit Card Acceptance in the Utility Industry, industry leading best practices research firm Chartwell examines trends and developments surrounding credit and debit card acceptance in electric, gas and water utilities. Within the report are two case studies, including a detailed account of Kansas City Power & Light’s launch of a multi-tiered no-fee card acceptance program with costs incorporated into the rate structure, and Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s billing and payment program streamlining project. Also included in the report are detailed analysis on credit and debit card trends in the industry, new data on credit and debit card brand acceptance, and 11 vendor profiles.

The Chartwell Report on Credit Card Acceptance in the Utility Industry is a 45-page report addressing analyzing data from Chartwell’s most recent proprietary billing and payment survey as well as the newly gathered data on credit card brands in use at North American utilities. The report is available at no charge to Chartwell Premier Members and members of Chartwell’s Customer Care Series. Non-members may purchase the report for $795.

The Chartwell Report on Credit Card Acceptance in the Utility Industry is part of the Chartwell Customer Care Research Series. The Research Series is a 12-month membership that includes in-depth research reports and accompanying databases derived from Chartwell’s extensive annual utility surveys; case studies; frequent news reporting; one-on-one consultation with Chartwell research staff; and profiles of vendors poised to help utilities in this arena.

For information on Chartwell Premier or Research Series membership, contact Bill Grist at (800) 432-5879, (404) 237-9099 or bgrist@chartwellinc.com; or visit www.chartwellinc.com or Chartwell’s Energy Library at www.energylibrary.com.

ABOUT CHARTWELL INC.
Chartwell Inc., the leading facilitator of knowledge exchange within the utility industry, provides utility business information, survey data and case studies on customer service, marketing, metering technology and energy delivery issues.

Press contact: Kristi Jones, kjones@chartwellinc.com or (404) 237-9099.