Absa introduces card-less and contactless cash withdrawal capability to customers |03 December 2021

Ms Bernstein giving a demonstration of how the new service works (Photo: Jude Morel)

After the introduction of several online digital features to facilitate banking services, Absa Bank Seychelles yesterday, yet again, launched a new QR cash withdrawal service on its ATM machines with the use of a smart phone.

The convenient QR cash withdrawal service is to provide a card-less and contactless cash withdrawal capability to customers and therefore reduce unnecessary contact with the ATM screen and keyboard, especially in this time of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is also in the long term to move away from plastic, including paper (receipts) for a more friendly environment.

The QR cash withdrawal service is a first in the country through Absa.

The launch of the new no-touch ATM solution took place at the Absa ATM’s Victoria branch, Victoria House yesterday afternoon in the presence of the head of products, Muragan Pillay, the head of marketing and corporate relations, Amanda Bernstein and staff of Absa.

Explaining the QR cash withdrawal service, Mr Pillay said that one has to firstly have data on the smart phone to download the Absa Mobile banking App available on IOS App store or Android Play Store for both businesses and customers.

The App can also be used to update contact details without having to enter any of the Absa branches.

The APP has biometrical features to allow quick seamless logging by the use of the finger print or facial recognition.

At the ATM, the customer must log in to the Mobile Absa App and select the ATM QR cash icon. Once the ATM QR cash icon has been selected, the customer will be required to scan the QR Code on the ATM screen to select an account (savings or current) to make a withdrawal. The account will be biometrically verified either through the customer’s finger print or facial recognition before the different amounts up to R5000 only, for the time being, for quick transaction, will be displayed on the mobile App screen for the desired withdrawal to take place. This will further lead quick confirmation of the amount to be withdrawn. The ATM will then automatically process the confirmed withdrawal and release the cash and the transaction confirmed on the mobile phone.

Mr Pillay said that the paper-less and touch-less system is 99% safe as the system prevents the card from being compromised through cloning or skimming.

He noted that the bank is turning digital to spare customers from having to travel distances and waiting in queues while they can get a quick service wherever they are.

He said that the bank is looking to increase the R5000 limit amount to higher when the customers get use to using the system.

Customers can visit the Absa website or telephone 4383939 for more information.

Patrick Joubert