Moscow, 30 June 2014 – Russian Standard Bank, Samsung Electronics and MasterCard have announced the commercial launch of a contactless payment service on some flagship NFC-enabled Samsung devices. For MasterCard and Samsung, the Russian launch is the second one globally and the first in Europe and will help to accelerate the adoption of mobile payments.
The service, available through Russian Standard Bank’s mobile banking app, enables users of Samsung GALAXY S4 and Samsung GALAXY Note 3 to upload MasterCard® prepaid contactless NFC cards issued by Russian Standard Bank into their smartphones. The smartphones can then be used to pay for goods and services using innovative Tap & Go MasterCard PayPass® technology. This is the first time that contactless payments technology has been made available on the Russian market to users of Samsung devices with an embedded NFC chip, implemented within a banking application. The application is currently supported by LTE-enabled smartphones (GT-I9505 and SM-N9005 models). The application will also be supported by 3G models (GT-I9500 and SM-N9000) following a system update, to be carried out within the month. Over-the-air download and management of Mobile MasterCard PayPass cards in NFC chips of Samsung smartphones is provided through the TSM platform of TREVICA, a MasterCard subsidiary.
Tap and Go MasterCard PayPass technology enables purchases to be made quickly and easily by simply tapping the smartphone on a MasterCard PayPass reader at the merchant point-of-sale. PIN code authorization is not required for purchases of less than 1,000 rubles. The MasterCard prepaid contactless card issued by Russian Standard Bank has a validity period of one year and a limit of 15,000 rubles. The card can be funded with electronic transfers from other bank cards, namely the bank’s RS express service (www.rs-express.ru), or with cash, using the bank’s ATMs.
Konstantin Tarachev, Project Manager, Head of NFC Department, Samsung Russia and CIS, says: “Samsung strives to create products and solutions that make people’s lives more convenient and simpler every day. Our cooperation with Russian Standard Bank and MasterCard shows how our joint efforts to innovate enable us to reach these goals. The contactless payment service is now available for Samsung smartphone users wherever and whenever they need it.”
Consumers do not need to be clients of Russian Standard Bank to use the service – it is available to owners of NFC-enabled Samsung GALAXY S4 or Samsung GALAXY Note 3 mobile devices who download the Russian Standard Bank mobile banking app through Samsung Apps or Google Play stores. To download the card, the user chooses the “PayPass card” icon in the app menu, provides a mobile phone number and then receives a four-digit code confirming card issuance. Once the card is issued and funded, the smartphone can be used to make purchases without opening the application or entering the security code. In order to switch to this mode, the user chooses the “Don’t enter the NFC Code” option in the app. All card credentials for making contactless payments are stored in the phone’s secure element and transactions are made in compliance with MasterCard payment system security requirements.“All over the world, MasterCard actively contributes to the advancement of innovation as well as the development of payment technologies and services associated with NFC technology. Russia is one of the priority markets for MasterCard, and we are pleased to offer state-of-the-art technology and solutions to Russian consumers. In partnership with Samsung, we launched a similar solution in Australia in 2013. We are excited that the second project of this kind is being implemented in Russia, in partnership with our longstanding partner, Russian Standard Bank. I am confident that this project will become a milestone, not just for the Russian payments industry, but for its global, history as well”, says Dmitry Tartyshev, MasterCard Business Leader, Mobile Business Development in Russia.
“Today, Russian Standard Bank, along with its ongoing partners – Samsung and MasterCard– implements the project that marks a new development stage of the Russian cashless payments market, which are convenient, accessible, and fast. From now on, owners of Samsung smartphones supporting the NFC technology can use their bank cards on an absolutely new level, without being tied to plastic, the Internet, or even needing to unlock the phone when paying. We are excited that Russian Standard Bank is first on the market to implement, this advanced technology together with Samsung and MasterCard and offer such service to Russian consumers”, says Ivan Glazachev, Acquiring Department Director, Member of the Board of Directors, JSC Russian Standard Bank.
About MasterCard PayPass®
MasterCard PayPass is an innovative contactless payment technology that represents a fast, safe and convenient way of paying for everyday purchases. One doesn’t need to pass the card to cashier – a simple tap on the PayPass reader at the checkout is enough. There is no need to enter the PIN code or sign the check for purchases below 1,000 rubles.
More than 2 million merchants, across 63 countries, accept MasterCard PayPass payments (34 countries in Europe).
The MasterCard PayPass acceptance network continues to grow around Russia. The technology is accepted by various goods and service businesses – food and industrial goods stores, dry cleaners, drugstores, cinemas, fast food restaurants, cafes, ticket desks at railway stations, parking meters, subway ticket vending machines, etc.
For further information about innovative contactless MasterCard PayPass technology or a list of trading and service businesses accepting MasterCard PayPass in Russia, as well as around the world, please visit www.PayPass.ru.
About the Australian project
In December 2013, Commonwealth Bank of Australia became the first bank, globally, to collaborate with MasterCard and Samsung and offer contactless payments on select flagship NFC-enabled Samsung devices, to its customers, using Mobile MasterCard PayPass technology.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of TVs, smartphones, tablets, PCs, cameras, home appliances, printers, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 286,000 people across 80 countries with annual sales of US $ 216.7 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com
About MasterCard
MasterCard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com,is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard’s products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNews, join the discussion on the Cashless Pioneers Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.
About Russian Standard Bank
Russian Standard Bank was founded in 1999. Currently, Russian Standard Bank occupies a leading position in consumer lending. Within fourteen years, the Bank has created new standards of consumption in Russia. With its consumer lending programs, the Bank has attracted more than 27 million customers, and the volume of credit provided has exceeded 72 billion US dollars. Russian Standard Bank issued more than 44 million bank cards. In addition to credit and savings products, the Bank offers settlement products and services, namely: current accounts, payments and transfers and remote service channels. The Bank also focuses on innovative and technological services, providing Internet banking and Mobile banking services. Since 2005, the Bank has been issuing American Express Cards and acquiring merchants on to the American Express network in Russia. More detailed information is available at www.rsb.ru.
Media Contacts
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MasterCard in Russia
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Russian Standard Bank
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