Sri Lanka yesterday saw the debut of its first-ever Near Field Communication (NFC)-enabled multifunction payment card via a groundbreaking initiative by HNB with Visa, Airtel, and two other leading partners. Branded HNB One, and approved by the Central Bank, the product is a Visa Debit Card upgraded to have a prepaid component. As the unique feature makes it a ‘combo’ card, the objective of HNB One is to facilitate speed in transactions. While the debit card feature will function in the regular manner, the NFC-enabled prepaid component will allow transactions to be simple and quick with its ‘tap and go’ functionality. The multiple applications include toll payments in the transport industry, drive-through areas of fast food outlets, and fuel stations, to name a few. Aimed at enhancing customer convenience, the solution is powered by Sony Felica, the market leader in NFC-enabled payment card technologies, and Smart Metro, which is providing the NFC-enabled terminals. The solution was unveiled at a conference attended by HNB Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Alles, Bharti Airtel Lanka CEO Suren Goonewardene and Smart Metro Director Chandana Wijesooriya.

In addition to providing access to HNB savings and current accounts, customers can also access their prepaid account with HNB One, where fund transfers can be made between accounts through HNB’s extensive ATM […]