Standard Bank launches SnapScan – a snappy payment solution that’s as easy as one, two, three
Standard Bank today announced the launch of mobile payment app, SnapScan. This is the bank’s first mobile payments offering that allows consumers to pay for their purchases with their smartphones through a combination of a QR code and a secure PIN number.
According to Standard Bank’s Head: Innovation and Channel Design, Vuyo Mpako, “We are excited to bring such innovative solutions to all South Africans. We created this app together with Stellenbosch-based IT agency, FireID in 2013 and it went on to win the 2013 MTN Business’ App of the year award. After extensive beta testing, we’re ready to take this to market.”
This award-winning app is now available to all consumers with a smartphone, meaning that you don’t have to be a Standard Bank customer to use SnapScan. The good news is that transactions are free to all SnapScan users.
“Looking at consumer behaviour and trends, phones are attached to people or the converse for argument’s sake. There are also apps for everything from smart diaries to smart banking. It only made sense to give consumers access to their wallets in safe and secure way on a device that basically never leaves their side,” says Mr Mpako.
The payment process is really simple. Once the app is downloaded and you have registered your details, payment is done in three easy steps; scan the merchants’ unique barcode, enter the amount due and confirm with your unique PIN number. The merchant will then receive their payment with a confirmation SMS. You literally snap, pay and go.
“Our business strategy is all around customer-centricity – to craft solutions that will empower and enrich customers, this app has been designed with the customer in mind. The app is convenient, safe and easy to use,” says Mr Mpako.
Presently, consumers can transact using the app at about 10 000 merchants across South Africa such as Motherland in Johannesburg and The house of Machines in Cape Town.
Is this the end of cash?
“There will always be a role for cash but we realised that it’s not always accessible and it’s in this realisation that SnapScan was borne. We saw an opportunity to create a secure, convenient and customer-centric application that would put the consumer in charge of their money.
Standard Bank also recognised the need to create an app that would assist South Africa in becoming a cash-free society,” says Mr Mpako.
Security
Safety and security is extremely important to Standard Bank. The app’s security features have been designed similarly to that of your day-to-day banking through the inclusion of a user-selected PIN.
The user’s card details are also saved on your phone and not backed up on an external server.
SnapScan is currently available to iOS, Android and Blackberry smartphone owners and registration is simple; download the app, register your details and your nominated Visa or MasterCard and then select a unique PIN which will be used whenever you transact.
How to download SnapScan
- Download SnapScan from Apple App Store, Android App Store and BlackBerry App World
- Register your details
- Register your MasterCard or Visa Card
- Select a PIN
How to use SnapScan
- Scan the merchant’s barcode
- Type in the transaction amount
- Confirm the transaction with your unique PIN number
