PURCHASE, N.Y. — Credit unions offering credit and debit MasterCards to small businesses could benefit from a new MasterCard program.

MasterCard announced it had adopted the Fuelman Network, a nationally recognized fuel and maintenance network, to the MasterCard Easy Savings program. Under the program, MasterCard will rebate part of the money small businesses pay for gasoline.

Climbing fuel prices have caused U.S. gasoline demand reach its lowest levels since April 2005, the card brand said when announcing the rebate deal. This indicates that high fuel prices may be draining financial resources from business segments, including small businesses that are very susceptible to rising gas and diesel prices. Recent MasterCard research shows that nearly 70% of small businesses are interested in saving on fuel.