Convenience offering now takes on greater significance as a health-safety option during pandemic
Danbury, CONN. (August 20, 2020) – Tap it. Wave it. Add it to a digital wallet. And no one else needs to come into contact with it.
Union Savings Bank (USB) is starting to distribute new contactless debit cards to current and new customers, which not only simplify payments at retail outlets but offers another level of social distancing so critical in battling the COVID-19 virus.
“The ‘tap to pay’ technology offers greater convenience and speed at checkout, but with the same security as chip transactions. Providing this seamless payment experience has been a top priority for us,” said Peter Scotch, USB SVP, Director of Innovation Center. “The contactless debit card is one among many enhancements USB has been investing in to maximize ease-of-use for our customers. Equally important, the technology reduces the need for contact at the point of sale, which is key during this pandemic.”
When making a payment at a retail outlet, the contactless USB Debit Card can be used simply by tapping or waving the card at checkout. (For some terminals, it may even work to just tap a wallet against the payment reader.) The consumer and Health Savings Account (HSA) debit cards also can be added to a digital wallet on a phone or smartwatch. Consumers still have the option of using the card chip or swipe features to make payments.
Contactless card payments provide the same security and encryption as EMV* chip payments, as a one-time security code is generated that is unique to each transaction and protects the card from being used for any future, unauthorized payments. Consumers don’t need to worry about paying accidentally, even if they tap twice. Another level of protection USB offers is Debit Card Controls, available within the USB Mobile App. It allows customers to turn on or off debit cards in real time, reducing the risk of fraud if cards are misplaced.
*EMV stands for “Europay, Mastercard and Visa” and refer to the credit and debit card chip security technology.
Acceptance of the contactless card is growing quickly in the U.S. According to Visa, as of March 2020, 71 percent of face-to-face transactions in the United States occurred at contactless-enabled locations. Outlets that accept this type of payment will display the Contactless Symbol:
“We’ve fully embraced this new payment technology,” said Damian Albano, owner of Captain Lou’s Chowdah House located at 180 Old Hawleyville Road in Bethel, CT. “It makes payment easier, helps to shorten lines, and further protects our employees from the coronavirus.”
Contactless consumer, business, and HSA debit cards are being issued to new USB customers and current customers upon expiration of existing cards or when requested.
For more information, please visit www.unionsavings.com/personal-banking/contactless-usb-debit-cards.
About Union Savings Bank
Established in 1866 and headquartered in Danbury, Conn., Union Savings Bank is a $2.2 billion mutual bank dedicated to being the bank of choice. As a full-service financial institution, Union Savings Bank provides banking, mortgage, investment, trust and insurance products throughout western Connecticut with 25 offices in Bethel, Brookfield, Canton, Danbury, Goshen, Kent, Litchfield, Marble Dale, Monroe, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Ridgefield, Roxbury, Southbury, Torrington and Washington Depot. The bank provides financial services to individuals, businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and government entities through its commercial, residential and consumer lending, corporate services, retail banking and wealth management divisions. Please visit www.unionsavings.com for more information. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
Community Relations Contact:
Michele Bonvicini
Union Savings Bank
203.830.6045
mbonvicini@unionsavings.com