BENTONVILLE, Ark. – Walmart announced this week that they are issuing a store-branded MasterCard that uses chip-and-PIN, or EMV, technology. The retailer announced the new card on its corporate blog, telling shoppers they can expect theirs in the mail within "the next few weeks."

Sam's Club was the first major retailer to introduce a chip-enabled MasterCard back in June and Walmart is now quick to follow suit.

Walmart has long been a proponent for EMV chip technology and installed EMV-capable terminals in stores about eight years ago, according to the company. These terminals are now activated in more than 4,600 stores, including all Sam's Club locations. Terminals in the remaining U.S. stores will be activated before the end of the year.

Walmart has been a leader in pushing toward payments that offer greater security than the traditional signature-based, magnetic stripe technology. This can only help drive EMV technology forward in the U.S. as it gains traction.

NACS has long been an advocate of chip and PIN technology.  Read more in our May issue NACS Magazine cover story, “Half Covered.”