National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has launched Google Pay, allowing NBK cardholders to access contactless payments and digital card storage on both Android and WearOS devices.
NBK Cardholders will be able to store NBK Credit and Debit cards within Google Wallet, a digital wallet which is also being launched in Kuwait, and pay for purchases anywhere contactless payments are accepted, the bank said.
In addition to payment cards, cardholders will also be able to save and access loyalty cards, boarding passes and event tickets in the Google wallet.
The introduction of Google Pay is the latest sign that banks in the region are recognising the growing digital banking needs of consumers. In December 2022, NBK introduced Apple Pay to its customers.
Among the benefits of such services are the added layers of security that includes industry-standard tokenisation. When a card stored in Google Wallet, for example, is used for payment, transactions are made using a virtual card number, or a token. This device-specific token is associated with a security code that changes with each transaction to provide an extra layer of protection from fraud.
In a statement, Mr. Mohammed Al-Othman, General Manager, Consumer Banking Group at NBK said: “We are pleased to launch the Google Pay for NBK Cardholders, enabling them to add their cards to Google Wallet and use them for all payments. NBK is always committed to provide its customers with the latest and most advanced payment solutions, within our endeavors to offer them an integrated banking experience that effectively helps meet all their daily needs.”
