Hyundai Card on Monday released a new brand portfolio of credit cards that are designed to provide customers with maximized simplicity and practical benefits.

“We hereby conclude our successful decade of our Hyundai Card M, and begin the innovative Hyundai Card Chapter Two strategy,” Hyundai Card chief executive Ted Chung told a news conference at the financial firm’s headquarters in Seoul.

정태영(금융인/현대카드대표이사사장/현대캐피탈대표이사사장/현대커머셜대표이사사장)
<YONHAP PHOTO-0758> 답변하는 정태영 현대카드 사장 (서울=연합뉴스) 박동주 기자 = 정태영 현대카드 사장이 24일 오전 서울 여의도 본사에서 열린 기자회견에서 취재진의 질문에 답하고 있다. 정 사장은 "2003년 포인트 마케팅과 차별화된 혜택을 탑재한 '현대카드 M'을 선보인 이후 위기극복과 성공의 지난 10년을 갈무리하고, 새로운 시대를 선도하는 혁신 전략인 '현대카드 챕터 2' 전략을 시행한다"고 밝혔다. 2013.6.24 pdj6635@yna.co.kr/2013-06-24 13:03:16/ <저작권자 ⓒ 1980-2013 ㈜연합뉴스. 무단 전재 재배포 금지.>
Hyundai Card CEO Ted Chung speaks in a news conference in Seoul on Monday.   Yonhap News
정태영(금융인/현대카드대표이사사장/현대캐피탈대표이사사장/현대커머셜대표이사사장) 답변하는 정태영 현대카드 사장 (서울=연합뉴스) 박동주 기자 = 정태영 현대카드 사장이 24일 오전 서울 여의도 본사에서 열린 기자회견에서 취재진의 질문에 답하고 있다. 정 사장은 "2003년 포인트 마케팅과 차별화된 혜택을 탑재한 '현대카드 M'을 선보인 이후 위기극복과 성공의 지난 10년을 갈무리하고, 새로운 시대를 선도하는 혁신 전략인 '현대카드 챕터 2' 전략을 시행한다"고 밝혔다. 2013.6.24 pdj6635@yna.co.kr/2013-06-24 13:03:16/ <저작권자 ⓒ 1980-2013 ㈜연합뉴스. 무단 전재 재배포 금지.> Hyundai Card CEO Ted Chung speaks in a news conference in Seoul on Monday. Yonhap News

Dubbed the nation’s best-selling credit card brand, the old M series has amassed about 8 million holders since its 2003 debut. But its overly diversified credit rewards system restricted customers’ freedom under the company’s set catalogue, which the Hyundai executives called “abnormal.” Customers found having too many cards was a headache as well, the CEO said.

The new Chapter Two strategy runs on a two-track system of benefits, letting customers choose between credit points and cash back.

The “M, M2, M3 Edition 2” lineup is for “point favoritists.” These cards tally 0.5 to 2 percent of the expenses as “M points,” which can be spent like cash. Monthly card expenses over 1 million won ($864) give 50 percent more points.

The “X, X2” lineup is for “cash-back loyalists.” They return 0.5 percent for monthly card expenses between 500,000 won and 1 million won, and 1 percent for 1 million won and up.

Both lineups will be issued from July 1, replacing the older versions on the signup lists.

“The brand renewal will earn us more brand loyalists. High brand loyalty eventually entails greater market share,” said senior vice president and card business division head Won Suk-joon.

Won said Hyundai Card’s rival companies will be unable to copycat the Chapter Two project for months, as it requires time-consuming changes in technical systems and partnerships.

By Chung Joo-won ()