Influence extended by Discover

A new IT facility was opened in China by US credit card company Discover. The task of the facility is to support Discover’s data analysis and modeling operations.

The facility is located in Shanghai's Huangpu District and has a staff of 45 analysts. By 2009 the human resources are planned to be doubled.

"Our new subsidiary supports Discover's rapid investment in our risk-assessment abilities. Our new Shanghai employees have sophisticated training in mathematics and other quantitative subjects," says James Panzarino, Discover's chief credit risk officer.

Previously Discover established a long-term relationship with China Unionpay and in 2007 Discover opened a representative office in Shanghai to support the alliance, which gives cardholders access to China Unionpay's merchant locations and ATMs across the mainland.