ContactlessNews | BNP Paribas to launch first contactless credit cards in Egypt

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BNP Paribas to launch first contactless credit cards in Egypt

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

BNP Paribas has announced the launch of its Platinum MasterCard PayPass contactless credit card in Egypt, making it the first bank in the country to introduce contactless payment cards.

According to Magdy Hassan, vice president of MasterCard Worldwide in Egypt, the new cards are designed to provide a secure alternative to paper-based payments for travelers overseas.

BNP Paribas Platinum MasterCard users will have access to a number of exclusive services, including a free 24/7 emergency call center, emergency cash advance delivered anywhere in the world and emergency card replacement in case the card is lost or stolen, also delivered anywhere globally. In addition, cardholders will also receive complimentary access to VIP lounges at Cairo international airport and the Marhaba Lounge at Dubai International Airport.

Other privileges including free insurance, instant SMS notifications, 57 days grace period and the reward points program providing 1 point for every EGP 1 spent, which can be redeemed for cash.

According to MasterCard, as of Q1 2010, there are nearly 75 million PayPass cards and devices that have been issued for use at approximately 230,000 merchant locations worldwide, including football and baseball stadiums, theatres, fast food restaurants and taxis. MasterCard PayPass offers cardholders a safe, convenient, quick and contactless way to make their payments.

McDonald's, Barclaycard ready NFC awareness campaigns

McDonald’s and Barclaycard are gearing up to launch NFC awareness campaigns aimed at spurring the adoption of contactless payment technology, according to MarketingWeek.

Barclaycard, which holds the highest share (71%) of the UK contactless market, reports that contactless transactions have doubled in the last year, but are still “nowhere near” where they want to be, according to Tom Gregory, Barclaycard’s head of digital payments.

Gemalto preps for large-scale EMV deployment in France

Credit Agricole, a retail banking group based in Paris, is teaming up with Gemalto to launch a large-scale deployment of contactless EMV banking cards in France.

Survey: Germans coming around to NFC, contactless payments

A new survey from Euro Kartensysteme shows that Germans are starting to embrace the idea of contactless and NFC payments.

Out of 1,040 Germans aged 18-59, 43% responded that they would like to make contactless payments if given the opportunity, of which 58% percent would make their payments with a debit card card, 41% with a credit card and 50% with an NFC phone.

Sparkasse issues 1.3 million contactless bank cards

German bank, Sparkasse will pilot contactless payments for its bank credit card users, reports Venture Village.

Locations in Hannover, Braunschweig and Wolfsburg will be some of the first for the trial, which begins in April. More than 1.3 million customers will receive the new bank cards complete with contactless functionality.

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