The card, called Fusion, works like a normal Visa credit card and is accepted by 19 million merchants (both online and off). What makes it different is a microprocessor built into the plastic that powers a slew of new features.

For example, the new card lets consumers swipe their card through a plug-in reader on their PC, allowing them buy goods over the Internet using just a PIN -- a feature that protects them even if the card is stolen. The chip also provides access merchant-loyalty programs and online coupons that can be downloaded into the card and carried into stores.

Visa is investigating other applications, such as integrating the technology for use in cell phones and digital assistants. It will also offer the card through other banks including First USA and Providian Financial.

"This gives consumers greater control, flexibility, value and security," said Joe Saunders, CEO of Fleet Credit Card Services, in a teleconference held to launch the card.

Consumers can sign up for the Fleet Fusion card Friday at the credit card's website, fusioncard.com. The bank will send free swipe machines to the first 100,000 registrants. Fleet expects an explosion in such cards will lead to swipe gadgets being built into every new computer in the coming years.

Fleet's Fusion card is among the first to carry a smart chip (American Express already offers a verstion of the high-tech card). The cards are widely used overseas, particularly in Japan, France and the United Kingdom.

The bank is signing up merchant partners who will use the technology to offer online discounts and other promotions to Fusion card holders.

LATEST NEWS

UCSD Plans First Flash-Based Supercomputer
Digging Into N.Y.'s Antitrust Suit Against Intel
Analyst: Sony-Ericsson's Android Bid Is Late
Coupon Site Targets Black Friday, Cyber Monday
Microsoft Sites Up Big in Time Spent Online

Fleet would not say how many users it expects to sign up but it's likely the card will appeal to security-minded consumers as well as the gadget-minded Internet user who want to have the latest cool technology.

How fast it will spread to satisfied existing credit card holders remains to be seen.