Visa Europe France and its member banks are making Strasbourg France’s “second contactless payments capital,” following the successful deployment of the technology in Nice last year.
The pilot will see Visa contactless payment cards and supporting terminals delivered to Strasbourg citizens and merchants through a number of Visa Europe’s member banks, including Banque Edel, BNP Paribas, Banque Postale, Banque Populaire d’Alsace et Caisse d’Epargne d’Alsace (Groupe BPCE), Crédit Agricole, Crédit Mutuel-CIC, HSBC, LCL et Société Générale. The cards will allow consumers to tap and pay for purchases less than than €20.
According to Visa, the project plays into the French Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industry’s plan to make contactless payments, via both card and mobile phone, widely available across France.
“Within a few years, everyone in France will be able to benefit from this technology,” said Gérard Nebouy, Managing Director of Visa Europe France.
To promote the deployment, Visa Europe is launching a campaign in Strasbourg to help raise public awareness of the advantages and benefits of contactless technology. This includes a Web site providing an introduction and background to the uses and benefits of contactless technology, a poster campaign in Strasbourg’s shopping centers, bus stops and parking lots, a print media campaign, and a fleet of Visa-branded ‘Smart’ cars bearing the slogan: “Visa contactless payment is coming to Strasbourg.” ![[end]](/resources/bullet/contactlessnews-4.gif)
