New times, new products: The NLB will be the first in Slovenia to introduce contactless payment

Contactless payment is payment without physical contact between the means of payment and POS terminal. Contactless technology is used in extremely diverse applications, from fast payment transactions, application in transport, for personal data storage, corporate ID cards, to e-passports. The communication is based on a safe chip and a small transmitter (antenna), which may be embedded in a card, a watch, a mobile phone,...

In countries with developed bank infrastructure, contactless payments by cards are a standard element of service range and the NLB wishes to keep up with the global trends. The member of the NLB's Management Board, Blaž Brodnjak, said: "By introducing contactless cards and upgrading the user experience, the NLB is proud to demonstrate its commitment to provide clients innovative, convenient and safe services. After successfully overcoming very challenging times, we now focus on the development and modernisation of distribution channels and services for clients. In the upcoming years, we will pay even much more attention to these activities."

Simplicity and safety

On this occasion, the MasterCard representative for Slovenia, Boštjan Fabjančič, again thanked the NLB, which is the leading player in this area. He gave a short presentation of the history of contactless technology and highlighted its simplicity and safety. The element of control is very important for consumers who still conduct 80 % of all transactions in cash.

Alenka Mejač Krassnig, director and expert in card operations in the NLB, presented the main advantages of using contactless NLB MasterCard cards. Due to fast payment, allowing both small payments (up to EUR 15) and large purchases, they are an excellent substitute to cash. She emphasised that safety of payment by contactless cards is maximum. The holder constantly keeps the card on his/her person and does not hand it to sellers. In addition, random reading (scanning) of data from the card by unauthorised persons is not possible.
The NLB started preparing for the introduction of contactless technology in the summer of 2013, when it began upgrading POS terminals with this technology at merchants that have signed with the NLB a card acceptance contract. Thus, more than 4,000 POS terminals owned by the NLB have already been upgraded. The number of appropriate POS terminals has been increasing from one day to the next, because since recently all POS have only been equipped with POS terminals that support contactless payments.

By making a contactless card payment, we demonstrated live to the members of the press that in practice everything works just like in theory.

All characteristics and functionalities that have so far been provided by NLB MasterCard cards remain unchanged

MasterCard contactless cards will enable instalment buying, ordering a personalised card, online purchases, cash withdrawal at ATMs and purchases from all merchants with the MasterCard sign.

MasterCard contactless cards will be sent to clients gradually, upon regular extension of existing card in the month when their current card expires. Contactless cards will be as of November available to clients even before their current card expires.

NLB Corporate Communications