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SCM Microsystems Offers German Banks a Convenient and Economical Way to Provide Customers with Secure Online Banking FREMONT, Calif., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SCM Microsystems, Inc. today announced an innovative new smart card reader introduced at the CARTES exhibition in Paris, the world forum for professionals in smart cards and related industries. The mobile Sm@rtTAN Card Reader is an elegant solution for managing online banking transactions, marrying convenience with state-of-the-art security based on smart cards. More than 30 million online banking customers in Germany currently utilize Personal Identification Number/TransAction Number (PIN/TAN) authentication as a secure method of managing their bank accounts over the Internet. For each online banking transaction, a unique TAN must be supplied by the user and entered on the computer keyboard. Previously, banking customers had to request a list of TAN numbers, keep the list in a safe place, and delete the TAN after each transaction. The Sm@rtTAN Card Reader makes this antiquated system obsolete by replacing the manual TAN list with a unique, single-use TAN generated by a smart card and displayed by the Sm@rtTAN reader. The user simply types the TAN onto the keyboard and conducts banking transactions as usual. "The Sm@rtTAN Card Reader provides the ideal combination of security, convenience and design," said Robert Schneider, chief executive officer of SCM Microsystems. "Sm@rtTAN offers banks a compelling return on investment -- not just in cost savings for mailing and managing TAN lists -- but in increased customer loyalty and satisfaction. The reader helps banks to streamline and enhance security for their customers and improve their overall banking experience." In addition to online banking, the Sm@rtTAN Card Reader enables additional applications where secure authentication is required, including online brokerage transactions and banking by phone. The Sm@rtTAN Card Reader can also read cash balances on the German cash card, or GeldKarte, which is carried by about 60 million people in Germany. The pocket-sized card reader operates independently from a computer platform and needs no additional power supply. The Sm@rtTAN Card Reader operates with smart cards carrying an EMV (Europay, Mastercard, VISA) chip based on the SECCOS (Secure Chip Card Operating System) software platform. The SECCOS platform combines GeldKarte functions with Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) technology to enable a wide spectrum of secure applications, including international debit transactions, Internet cash download and online banking. SECCOS complies with the HBCI (Home Banking Computer Interface) standard. The Sm@rtTAN Card Reader is available for immediate delivery from SCM Microsystems. About SCM Microsystems SCM Microsystems is a leading supplier of solutions that open the Digital World by enabling people to conveniently access digital content and services. The company markets and sells its smart card reader technology for network and physical access and conditional access modules for secure digital TV decryption to OEM customers in the government, financial, enterprise and broadcasting markets worldwide. Global headquarters are in Fremont, California, with European headquarters in Ismaning, Germany. For additional information, visit the SCM Microsystems web site at http://www.scmmicro.com/. NOTE: All trade names are either trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. DATASOURCE: SCM Microsystems CONTACT: Manfred Mueller of SCM Microsystems, +49 89 95 95 5140, or ; or Deb Montner of Montner & Associates, +1-203-226-9290, or , for SCM Microsystems Web site: http://www.scmmicro.com/

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