FNB will discontinue tap-to-pay feature on app

First National Bank (FNB) is set to streamline its banking app by discontinuing the tap-to-pay feature –  a move, it says, that is aimed at simplifying user experience.

Introduced in 2016, the tap-to-pay feature was initially embraced as a cutting-edge solution for mobile contactless payments, catering to the demands of tech-savvy and fashion-forward banking clients.

Jason Viljoen, FNB’s Head of Card Modernisation and Digital Payments, emphasised the bank’s longstanding commitment to contactless payments, having championed the technology since its inception.

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Contactless

Collaborating with industry giants Visa and Mastercard, he said that FNB played an important role in bringing contactless payment technology to South Africa.

Viljoen explained that over the years, the tap-to-pay feature became a hallmark of FNB’s commitment to innovation. However, in light of the ever-changing digital payment landscape, FNB has decided to phase out its feature to make way for a more simplified banking app.

Other contactless solutions

“FNB observed the exponential growth and adoption of other big tech contactless solutions such as Apple Pay, Google Wallet, Samsung Pay, and others within the South African market.

“These platforms seamlessly integrate into users’ ecosystems, providing additional features that have contributed to their popularity,” he said.

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He explained that FNB then evaluated the relevance of the tap-to-pay feature within the context of their broader service offerings.

“We decided to discontinue the feature as we saw that other existing payment options already cover the functionalities provided by the in-app tap-to-pay feature,” he said.

However, he clarified that the tap-to-pay feature on bank cards will not be discontinued, as was previously reported.

End in April

The bank aims to sunset the tap-to-pay feature in April, a process that is already underway with maintenance and preparations.

FNB, however, assured customers who have registered for tap-to-pay in their FNB app and RMB Private Bank app that they can continue using the feature until the designated sunset date.