Roamware, a global specialist in mobile roaming solutions and financial services, has announced the global availability of Cardless ATM. The service enables bank customers to withdraw cash from an ATM without the use of a cash card, and can be used in case of loss or theft of a cash card as well as to send money to friends or family at home or abroad.
Cardless ATM is already in use in Europe – Permanent TSB (PTSB) launched the service in Ireland as part of its mobile banking solutions in 2009. Branded as ‘Emergency Cash’, the service allows customers to send €100 to anyone in Ireland simply by sending an SMS. Upon receiving the text message, the recipient may go to any PTSB cash point to withdraw the emergency cash – without the need for an ATM card. Registered customers can request payment five times per month up to a maximum of €500 (€100 per withdrawal). The account holder is charged €2 per withdrawal.
“Emergency Cash is one of the many ways we are differentiated in the market,” said Eamon Martin, Online Development and Mobile Banking Manager at Permanent TSB. “And it gives our customers peace of mind – knowing they still have access to cash if their card is stolen.”
“There is great interest in this product from banks around the world,” said Avnish Chauhan, Executive Vice President at Roamware. “It is particularly of interest in Asia and Africa where banks plan on using it for mobile money purposes, that is to send money to friends and family. This is a cost saving solution that could potentially complement ‘no frills’ bank account offering to underbanked and unbanked communities in developing economies,” added Avnish.