In spring we announced that our new credit cards were enabled with mobile wallet apps like Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. Now, we’re happy to announce that our debit cards are also mobile wallet-enabled! If you have a Forte Bank debit card, you won’t need to get a new card. Your existing card will automatically be enabled around October 22 and you’ll just need to add your card to your mobile wallet.

Mobile wallet apps like Apple Pay®, Google Pay™ and Samsung Pay store your credit or debit card information on your smartphone or smart device so you don’t even need to carry your card. The apps use a technology called Near Field Communication (NFC) between your device and the payment terminal. When you make a purchase at a store that accepts mobile payments, you just need to tap your phone on the payment terminal or bring your phone near it to complete the transaction. Not all terminals are NFC compatible. Samsung Pay uses an additional technology called Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) which mimics the magnetic strip on a physical card, making Samsung Pay accepted even on older terminals that don’t normally accept mobile payments.

Security experts agree that mobile wallet technology on your smartphone or smart device is an even more secure method of payment than inserting your EMV chip card.

If you have questions about using your debit card with mobile wallet technology, please call any branch for more information.

Look for the contactless pay symbol at a store or near the payment terminal to determine if you can use your mobile wallet.

While mobile payments are definitely here, it’s important that you still hang onto your physical card. Mobile payments aren’t accepted everywhere yet and mobile wallet apps won’t work on older mobile device operating systems.