the most modern payment method via smartwatch, Garmin Pay, to the Greek consumer public. The new innovation in the field of payments is carried out in collaboration with Visa and Garmin and follows my Alpha Wallet, the first electronic wallet for payments via mobile phone, which Alpha Bank introduced about two years ago, with great success, in the Greek market.
Garmin Pay is the most advanced payment method as it enables Alpha Bank debit and credit card holders to make easy and secure contactless payments at contactless POS terminals, simply by wearing a Garmin “smart” watch. In its initial operation, it is available only for Visa cards, while it will soon be offered for all the Bank’s cards. The application was presented for the first time in the Greek market on the occasion of Spetsathlon, which is an annual event-station for the Greek triathlon, and took place in Spetses from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 May 2019.
Mr. Grigorios Politis, Director of the Cards and Private Financing Department of Alpha Bank, stated: “Alpha Bank once again confirms its commitment to creating pioneering and innovative products, offering consumers a unique, by Greek standards, product in the field of contactless payments. For the first time in Greece, the new technology of international card organizations (Tokenization Services) is being applied, which allows the actual card number not to be stored, significantly increasing security and ease in managing and carrying out transactions. Our goal is to soon adopt these new capabilities in other cutting-edge products and services .”
Ms. Andriana Pappa, Acting General Manager of Visa for Greece, Cyprus and Bulgaria, said: “We are proud to take a step forward, together with Alpha Bank, in our commitment to making payments as simple as possible for consumers, and to ensure that any connected device used for payments is secure. The introduction of contactless payments via smartwatches to the Greek market is a significant turning point in our long-term partnership with Alpha Bank. Visa cardholders in Greece have adopted contactless payments in recent years due to their undeniable advantages: speed, convenience and security. Wearables have all these advantages, and what’s more, they enhance them: they are in constant contact with the user and integrated into their movements, so the payment experience is seamless and secure.”
Mrs. Nancy Zampelis, Marketing & Corporate Communication Director of Garmin, stated: “Garmin has been recognized in the wearables space for its quality and innovation. With the contactless payment method Garmin Pay, it innovates once again, ensuring that users of compatible Garmin smartwatches have the ability to pay without having to carry their wallet or mobile phone with them. It is our pleasure and honor that Alpha Bank and Visa are our partners in this new venture.”
More information about Garmin Pay is available at www.alpha.gr/cards
