Alpha Bank launches the first card tokenization option in the local market for online merchants and integrators
Alpha Bank Romania, a financial institution recognized for introducing innovations in the local market in the field of payment services (Tap-To-Phone, Instant Money Back, Instant Disbursement, etc.), announces the launch of the card tokenization functionality, integrated in the card scheme systems (Mastercard MDES, VISA VTS). Compared to other tokenization solutions, the solution integrated into the eCommerce Alpha Bank platform improves transaction security by replacing sensitive card data with an EMVCo token.
Being the first platform with this functionality introduced in the local market, Alpha Bank will allow merchants and payment integrators to instantly update client cards, enrolled at account level, when they are renewed. Thus, the payment process is simplified, and the impact on optimizing transaction approval rates is immediate. In addition, the option allows the visual capture of the card in order to facilitate quick identification by the holder, especially when they have several cards enrolled in the merchant’s account.
„The new functionality developed in partnership with the local processor Romcard, provides an improved eCommerce experience to online merchants – especially for those using a recurring payment service (for example, invoices, subscriptions, etc.) – and at the same time, to cardholders who no longer have to worry about updating the card data at each merchant „, declared Viorel Vasile, Cards Unit Director, Alpha Bank Romania.
„In recent years, more and more consumers are choosing to save their card details in the customer account of merchants, in order to ease the payment process for on-line shopping. With Mastercard Digital Enablement Service, users benefit from an improved, easy and secure purchasing experience, while for merchants this service minimizes fraudulent transactions and related costs, while improving transaction approval rates. We are pleased to announce today the integration of this service into the eCommerce Alpha Bank platform”, declared Radu Ionescu, Product Management Director, Mastercard.
„The tokenization technology — whereby card data is encrypted to make digital payments more secure — is essential for the protection of basic account information against fraud attempts. In its mission to help secure digital payments and accelerate innovation in e-commerce, Visa has doubled the number of tokens issued in a single year globally, reaching the 4 billion milestone, exceeding that of Visa cards in circulation globally. The remarkable increase in token payments reinforces the idea that the future of money is indeed digital. Together with our partners at Alpha Bank, we are excited to provide access to a cutting-edge technology to traders and consumers in Romania, who can enjoy such benefits as safety and ease of use”, declared Elena Oprea, Acquiring & Acceptance Director Visa Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovenia.
About Alpha Bank Romania
Alpha Bank Romania is a member of Alpha Bank Group, one of the largest banking and financial groups in Greece, founded in 1879 by J.F. Costopoulos. The international activities of the Group are extended, in addition to Romania, to the United Kingdom, Luxemburg and Cyprus.
Alpha Bank Romania is a financial institution ranked among the top 10 banks in the country, with universal banking operations. A systemic bank, with a national presence of over 27 years, Alpha Bank Romania offers a wide range of modern services and products for individuals, as well as for SMEs and the corporate segment.
Alpha Bank Romania is one of the financial institutions that innovated the banking sector in Romania, being the first bank to launch on the local market an application that transforms an Android mobile device into a POS terminal. It was also the first bank that issued covered bonds in Romania in 2019 after having introduced in 2001 on the market the first housing loan.
About Mastercard
Mastercard, www.mastercard.ro, is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to power and develop an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient (DQ) is the core pillar of the culture which represents us and everything we do inside and outside of our company. Our connections cover more than 210 countries and territories, so as to build a sustainable world providing everyone access to priceless possibilities.
About VISA
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating payments transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, reliable and secure payments network, enabling consumers, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone, contribute to everyone’s development, and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. For further information, you can access visa.ro and Visa.com.
