Westpac claims that it is now the first bank in New Zealand to begin a trial period of HCE mobile payments, expected to launch early next year. The three-month trial involves 40 staff members, and will enable users to make payments via NFC enabled Android devices.
“This places all relevant customer information in one place without the need to carry and use a physical credit or debit card,” Westpac said. “After downloading a digital wallet app and registering their card details, customers will be able to use near field communication enabled Android handsets to make payments at any contactless terminal.”
Westpac Chief Product Officer Shane Howell said that, as banking is going through a period of “massive digital disruption,” the smartphone technology is one of four components that Westpac is looking to develop to create its digital wallet.
According to CIO, the bank also says that the new digital wallet technology will “do away with the need to carry wallets and plastic cards.”
Howell said that the next phase of the project will include “transport cards for buses and trains, loyalty programs and possibly ID cards like drivers’ licenses or passports.”
“What’s Hot” is aggregated content. PYMNTS.com claims no responsibility for the accuracy of the content published by the original source.
We’re always on the lookout for opportunities to partner with innovators and disruptors.
Learn More