Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank has chosen to head down the debit contactless-card path with partner Visa, announcing plans to launch cards to work with payWave terminals in four states, including in the cornerstone growth market of Denver.
Customers in California, Missouri, Utah and Colorado will now be issued chip-enabled debit cards. The bank notes that any debit cardholder in Denver and Salt Lake City can request a new card with payWave functionality. The cards have been doled out to “select” customers in California and Missouri.
U.S. Bank first launched contactless credit cards in 2006 when it began a pilot program in the Denver area, a market that U.S. Bank is targeting with several growth-oriented initiatives. Programs include a relationship with USA Technologies to install 400 contactless-card vending machines.
