In Nice, Visa Europe and 11 partner banks announce the launch
of contactless payment in France
Paris, 21st May 2010 - It's the big day!
Having carried out numerous pilot tests in France over several
years, Visa Europe, its partners and the town of Nice are all set
to kick off contactless payment in France.
The town of Nice is at the heart of this contactless payment
project. The town aims to boost economic activity in the area,
offer its inhabitants more services and support local businesses
and jobs.
With Visa payWave, Visa Europe has been a major player in the
field of contactless payment since 2007 and now has the backing of
11 French banks for the official launch: Banque Edel, Banque
Populaire, BNP Paribas, Caisse d’Epargne, Crédit Agricole, Crédit
du Nord, CIC, Crédit Mutuel, La Banque Postale, LCL, and Société
Générale.
Visa Europe and the banks worked hand in hand with the town of
Nice to enable the inhabitants of the town to be among the first to
take advantage of this major technological advance.
Several thousand inhabitants will be offered a contactless card
instead of their usual bank card and many retailers (major chains,
as well as neighbourhood stores such as bakeries, newsagents,
chemists etc.) will be equipped with terminals for contactless
payment.
This new Carte Bleue Visa service is an innovative means of
paying for small purchases of less than 20€. It's quick, practical
and safe and will make transactions much easier for cardholders and
retailers alike. The advantages are numerous: fewer queues at the
checkout, guaranteed payment, less bothersome cash, improved
customer service and secure transactions. Contactless payment is
also possible with a mobile telephone.
“Visa Europe and its partner banks are proud to take part in the
contactless payment experience with the town of Nice and to be a
major player in the introduction of this innovative means of
payment throughout France”, declared Gérard Nebouy, General
Director Visa Europe France. “Visa Europe and the banks have always
placed innovation at the heart of their businesess and are
constantly seeking to simplify transactions for cardholders. We are
aiming for growth in card payments with a decline in cash payments.
We also aim to be a force to be reckoned with in the field of
mobile payment," he adds.
Across Europe there are currently 8.5 million Visa contactless
cards (mainly in the UK, Italy, Poland, Turkey and Switzerland).
This figure is set to reach 12 million cards by the end of
2010.
For more information: www.visasanscontact.fr
Contact details:
Visa Europe press office
Tel: +44 (0)20 7795 5336
E-mail: europeanmedia@visa.com