Technological innovations have transformed the way we carry out financial transactions, and one of the clearest examples is the development of contactless cardsBankia, now part of CaixaBank, took a major step by incorporating this technology into its services, allowing users to make ATM withdrawals more quickly, safely and efficiently.
What are Bankia contactless cards and how do they work?
The contactless cards Bankia's use technology NFC (Near Field Communication) that allows payments or cash withdrawals to be made without having to physically insert the card into an ATM or point-of-sale (POS) terminal. Instead, the user only needs to hold the card close to the NFC-enabled reader, identified by a five-semicircle sticker near the ATM keypad.
How is it used? The process is very simple:
- Bring your contactless card close to the NFC reader of the identified ATM.
- Enter your PIN to verify your identity.
- Keep the card and continue using the ATM as you normally would.
This functionality significantly reduces the tiempo necessary to complete transactions and, by not inserting the card, offers greater to maximise security and your enjoyment., since it prevents it from being retained or forgotten in the ATM.
Advantages of contactless technology in Bankia ATMs
Bankia, aware of its customers' needs, included this feature to optimize the ATM experience. The main benefits include:
- Speed: Withdrawing money from the ATM now takes less time by simplifying the process of inserting and removing the card.
- Greater security: The card remains in the cardholder's possession throughout the operation, avoiding possible risks of forgetting or theft.
- Better card preservation: By not physically inserting it, wear and tear from frequent use is reduced.
In addition, these cards can also be used to make payments in more than 400,000 POS terminals adapted to contactless payment in Spain, allowing a fluid experience both in purchases as in banking operations.
Bankia Wallet: A comprehensive solution for mobile payments
Complementing the use of contactless cards, Bankia launched Bankia Wallet, an innovative service that allows you to make payments directly from your mobile phone. This system combines a contactless payment card with a mobile application, transforming the smartphone into a versatile financial tool.
With Bankia Wallet, users can:
- Make purchases by bringing your mobile phone close to the POS terminal without having to carry cash or physical cards.
- Verify identity using authentication methods to maximise security and your enjoyment. such as PIN, fingerprint or facial recognition.
- Manage transactions conveniently and securely from the linked mobile application.
Adaptation and implementation of the service in Bankia ATMs
When this functionality was introduced, more than 600 Bankia ATMs were already enabled to operate with this technology. The bank committed to progressively updating its entire fleet of ATMs to ensure that its customers could access this service without geographical restrictions.
Thanks to this constant evolution, Bankia customers can enjoy a more modern and efficient ATM network, which reinforces the entity's commitment to the technological innovation and the well-being of its users.
Benefits for merchants and customers
The introduction of contactless technology not only benefits Bankia users, but also the merchants that accept this payment method. Some of the main advantages include:
- Greater agility in transactions: Contactless payments are faster, especially for amounts under €50, where there is no need to enter a PIN.
- Risk reduction in cash handling: It reduces physical handling of money, improving security for both buyers and sellers.
- Less wear and tear on cards: NFC devices facilitate contactless transactions, extending the life of cards.
CaixaBank and its leadership in digital transformation
After the merger with CaixaBank, the entity has continued to invest in technological innovation in its services. CaixaBank is currently the leader in Spain in the issuance of contactless cards, with millions of units in circulation and wide acceptance in shops and ATMs.
In addition, CaixaBank has promoted other complementary solutions such as smart bracelets and watches that allow payments to be made quickly and safely, demonstrating its commitment to the diversification of payment methods to adapt to the needs of its customers.
With each technological advance, CaixaBank continues to consolidate itself as a benchmark entity in the financial sector, offering products y specific that combine comfort, efficiency and safety for an unparalleled user experience.