US Bank pilots NFC iPhone case

11 January 2013 | 6667 views | 2 iphone apps on screen

US Bank has chosen Salt Lake City and Portland as test sites for an iPhone case that turns the handset into a contactless payments device.

The bank is offering its FlexPerks Visa customers in the cities the chance to sign up for the Go Mobile trial if they have an iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S.

Participants will receive a customised US Bank case - developed by vendor DeviceFidelity - which incorporates NFC technology, enabling them to make contactless payments at retailers that accept Visa payWave. The case also has an extra battery, extending the phone's charge time by more than 50%.

The bank says that its app makes payments quickly, securely and conveniently with the assurance that it's secured by encryption, passcode protection, strong privacy protection, zero fraud liability and real-time fraud monitoring. The microNFC and FlexPerks smart card will be personalised with Datacard secure issuance technology.

Dominic Venturo, chief innovation officer, US Bank Payment Services, says: "We have incorporated all of the feedback we have received from prior pilots and our customer research into this latest offering and we are excited to offer US Bank Go Mobile in these two markets."

Salt Lake City is already acting as a testing ground for Isis, the NFC-based mobile commerce joint venture being run by a group of US telcos.

Meanwhile, at the CES show in Las Vegas, mobile device accessory firm Incipio has been demonstrating an NFC case for iPhone featuring the Isis Mobile Wallet iOS app and Device Fidelity's microSD cards. Scheduled for release in March 2013, the Cashwrap case will be available for a top price of $69.99.

Comments: (2)

Comment on this story (membership required)

Andrew Matherson - Ardeun - Delaware | 13 January, 2013, 02:50

I am continually baffled by these people with fancy titles like Chief Innovations Officer who announce the deployment of "gimmicks" and say they are wonderful new technology breakthroughs, and oh yes... Secure.

Rubbish. NFC is not secure in it's present form. And tell me, what prevents someone else using my phone to "Pay and Run" ?

Just like what prevents someone else from taking my pay and go or wave and (all the same nonsense) and running rampant around town ?

Nothing...

The Banks preach security, however there is no consumer safety nor security in being able to wave a card or phone without any authentication mechanism. Encrypting a transaction is not security. It is just encrypting data that can come from anywhere and anyone. It is just a Banking rort.

Mr Chief Innovations Officer, how about being innovative and doing something that actualy provides consumer security.

0 thumbs up! (Log in to thumb up)

Report

Paul Vieros - Placard Pty Ltd - Melbourne | 14 January, 2013, 04:42

While I understand where you're coming from Andrew, the reality is that all the current mobile "pilots" and "trials" are aimed at improving security and acceptance… the secure element either build in on a mobile or on an sd card further enhances security. There are cost reduction implications for the Banks, there are data mining implications for the Telcos,(not to mention Retailer Loyalty programs)… Then you have the schemes Zero liability…and you have the perfect ‘disruptive technology’ at large!

What has made all of this possible is the roll out of contactless readers! The stage is set..

0 thumbs up! (Log in to thumb up)

Report