T-Mobile's new Mobile Money account and its associated reloadable prepaid Visa card, which were announced last week, are powered by technology and service provided by Blackhawk Network California.

Based in Pleasanton, Calif., Blackhawk Network California is an affiliate of Blackhawk Network, which operates a global prepaid card network supporting the distribution and program management of prepaid products such as gift cards, prepaid debit cards and prepaid telecoms cards. Blackhawk Network is a subsidiary of Safeway Inc., the nation's second-largest grocery chain, which is also based in Pleasanton.

The T-Mobile Visa prepaid card is issued by Bancorp and is designed to be used with the Mobile Money by T-Mobile smartphone app. The card can be obtained at participating T-Mobile retail locations and, beginning in February, at Safeway and affiliated stores including Von's, Randall's, Tom Thumb and Carr's in the U.S.

Customers use their mobile device to download the Mobile Money app, enroll in the T-Mobile Visa prepaid card program and access their card account. Once activated and registered, they can use their card everywhere that Visa debit cards are accepted.

Cardholders can use the Mobile Money app for remote deposit check capture through their smartphone's camera, as well as for bill pay and online shopping. They can also make card-to-card money transfers and access 42,000 surcharge-free Allpoint ATMs nationwide.

Learn more about card brands, carriers/operators, ATMs, bill payment and money transfer/P2P.