Bank Windhoek has announced the first contactless-enabled feature on Cash Accepting ATMs, making it the first financial institution in Namibia to do so.

Customers can use the new contactless feature by tapping on contactless-enabled ATMs, entering their PIN, and proceeding to transact.

According to David Nell, Bank Windhoek’s Stream Lead for Automated Cash Services, the main benefit of the contactless feature is that it speeds up the card verification process and reduces unnecessary contact with devices.

“To complete your transaction, simply tap your card on the reader, which has a green indicator next to the card slot, and enter your PIN. You can perform all of the same transactions that you can when inserting your card. This includes cash withdrawals and deposits, statement viewing, PIN changes, and money transfers. It is available to all Bank Windhoek customers as well as customers of other financial institutions at our newly installed Cash Accepting ATMs with the contactless symbol. It also ensures that we meet Visa’s requirement to make the feature available to our customers,” he stated.

He further said the contactless ATM functionality complements the existing touch-free POS tap functionality available at most Namibian retailers, and that the rapid growth in contactless card payments grew from microprocessor chip cards, which were introduced locally after 2016, and that in 2018, the microprocessor smart card market accounted for the majority of the payment industry share.

These cards contain a small microchip that processes and stores electronic data while protecting data, assets, and identity.

To ensure safe and secure banking, Nell reminded all banking customers to remain vigilant and never share their PIN with anyone, and never to accept help at the ATM.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency