MasterCard has unveiled an interactive debit
card, featuring a display panel and touch-sensitive button that
allows consumers to see their account balance and spending
limit.
Turkish bank TEB, a subsidiary of BNP
Paribas, will become the launching pad for the ‘next generation
debit card’ with a Maestro eCommerce authentication programme in
July this year. New features are scheduled to be added onto the
card in the near future.
The UK’s Newcastle Building Society has also
agreed to pilot the balance display functionality later this
year.
“We are proud to be the first bank to bring
this new card to consumers here in Europe,” said Bulent Ersoz, card
payment system director for TEB. “This pilot kicks off with an
initial offering to test authentication functionality but we are
already looking towards further phases when we will test the
additional functionality of the card in other card programmes. As
we strengthen our eCommerce capabilities, we already have an eye to
the future, where the card is the portal to so much more for our
customers
MasterCard selected Swiss-based security
specialist NagraID Security as its technology partner for the
programme.
“The card truly encapsulates our belief that
simple to use technology is the key to unlocking the door to
simpler cash-free payments,” says Jorn Lambert, group head, core
products, MasterCard Europe. “Consumers are telling us that ease of
use, control and security are required to replace costly cash. This
card can deliver the levels of both information and security they
seek.”
