Barclaycard is to shut down its first generation bPay prepaid contactless wristband at the end of the month and will launch “a newly designed wristband that’s lighter, slimmer and comes in a choice of colours… in a couple of months”.

In an email to bPay users, the company offers to send them one of the new second-generation wearables free of charge before they go on general sale.

“You’ll also see some additions to the bPay family making their debut,” says Barclaycard. “On top of this, managing your account will become even easier, with a redesigned online servicing hub and a mobile app to download.”

Before the transition, current bPay bands will stop working and any outstanding balance will be refunded to the card last used to top up the device.

Barclaycard launched its bPay wristband in summer last year with a trial involving visitors to London’s British Summer Time and Pride in London festivals.

The firm told NFC World: “We’re getting ready for the launch of the next generation of bPay, which will indeed build on the current trial which was introduced last year.

“We anticipate that around 10,000 customers will be affected.”

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