MBNA to Join Banks Introducing Contactless Credit Cards

Earlier, we have reported that Virgin Money follows the suit of Barclaycard and introduces contactless cards for its clients in the UK.

Now, this initiative is taken up by MBNA, the largest credit card lender in Europe. The bank said that 5 million of its British customers will enjoy the contactless technology as soon as by the end of 2011.

From now on, all new and replaced classic and platinum cards issued to UK consumers will be compliant with the new technology, which allows holders to pay by simply touching the card against the terminal.

Commenting on the coming changes, Mr. Ian O'Doherty of Bank of America, which operates MBNA, said that his bank is committed to providing its consumers with simple and affordable choices and that it why MBNA cannot ignore the spread of contactless technology in Great Britain. The changes are particularly important because they are widely supported by Brits.

Currently, there are approximately 10 million holders of contactless cards in the UK. This figure is expected to rise to 25 million or more by the year of 2012.