Citibank Korea Inc. (CEO Yung-Ku Ha, www.citibank.co.kr) announced the launch of the Citi Mobile Card, in alliance with KT, Korea's 2nd largest wireless services provider, which enables Citi credit cards to be downloaded wirelessly to a mobile phone USIM chip. The launch of the Citi Mobile Card is part of Citi's ongoing efforts to harness new innovative technologies to provide enhanced convenience, accessibility and mobility for customers. The Citi Mobile Card will allow customers to tap their mobile phone on a contactless reader at the point of sale to pay for purchases, eliminating the need for the traditional swiping of credit cards.

The Citi Mobile Card will provide great value to customers with the ease and convenience of paying for everyday items with an everyday device - no more fumbling for wallets and change, combining credit payments, coupon downloads and KT member discounts on their 3G mobile phones in one simple process. Citi Card customers will be able to download their Citi Reward Citi Shinsegae Quattro Card and enjoy the same point accumulation and discount offers as the plastic cards. The Citi Mobile Card is accepted at any merchant with a MasterCard Paypass or Visa Paywave-enabled terminal, at major merchants like Shinsegae, Emart, and KT SHOW touch merchants such as GS 25 and GS Caltex, among others.

Sergio Zanatti, the Head of Citibank Korea Card Group said: "We are delighted to offer this innovative service to our cardholders and to be part of the convergence of mobile devices and payment services. Our goal is to ensure that the Citi Mobile Card successfully embeds itself into our customers' mobile lifestyles." Zanatti added: "Citi believes contactless mobile payment services will be a key lifestyle driver for our highly mobile customer base; we have worked together with a key telco partner, KT, in applying smart, everyday, and everywhere technology."

The mobile phone has become a key personal device and it is Citi's strategy to employ the latest technology and innovation to drive greater value for their customers. Citi expects this new service will provide a new dimension to making electronic payments and lay the groundwork for secure, USIM-based sustainable deployment, adding more choice and hence more value to its credit card customers.

Having no annual membership fee, Citi Mobile Card can be issued to KT mobile phone holders only and can be applied for via Citibank branches, Citibank website, or CitiPhone (1566-1000).

 

source: Citibank Korea Inc