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Mobile payments in Leiden

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From Monday 2 September, 1,000 ABN AMRO, ING and Rabobank account holders will use mobile phones to make payments for three months. The trial will take place at 150 shops and hospitality venues in central Leiden. The amount is debited directly from the customer’s bank account, just as with a regular debit card payment, making payments easier and faster for both consumers and businesses.

The three banks are working with MasterCard, KPN and the municipality of Leiden on this payment innovation. After the trial period, each bank will decide whether and how to offer this payment method to its customers.

Faster payments

To make a mobile payment, the customer holds their mobile phone, usually a smartphone, a few centimetres from the retailer’s payment terminal. Contactless Near Field Communication (NFC) between the phone and terminal processes the payment. For amounts up to and including €25, customers do not need to enter a PIN unless they have chosen a different setting. A PIN is always required for amounts above €25 and is entered on the phone rather than the payment terminal. Mobile payments save time at the checkout. For businesses, less cash also means greater security and more efficient operations.

Mobile payments are secure

Paying by mobile phone is as secure as paying by debit card. MasterCard has offered NFC payments outside the Netherlands for some time without problems. If a phone is lost or stolen, the PIN protects the customer against payments above €25. Payments below €25 can be made only until their combined value exceeds €50, after which the customer must enter their PIN as a security check.

1,000 consumers, 150 businesses

For the trial, 1,000 consumers received a Samsung smartphone equipped with NFC and a payment app from their bank. They can make mobile payments at 150 locations in Leiden, including department stores, supermarkets, other retailers and hospitality venues. Dutch Railways and shops at Leiden railway station are also participating.

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