ING and KBC to combine mobile payments and loyalty in Belgium

By Rian Boden • • nfcw.com
ING KBC
JOINT VENTURE: ING and KBC’s new service combines loyalty with mobile payments

ING and Belgian bank KBC are to launch a mobile payment and loyalty platform in Belgium that will combine ING’s Payconiq mobile payment app with loyalty platforms Qustomer and CityLife in a single service.

“These solutions are already being used in the Belgian market by over a million Qustomer, CityLife [and] Payconiq users at more than 6,500 stores,” ING says. “They can use it to save up loyalty points, make mobile payments or, at a select number of places, both at the same time.

“In terms of loyalty, CityLife and Qustomer combine their strong points in an upgraded and improved platform, which will be launched under a new brand name later this year. Regarding the payment solution, KBC will further develop with ING the Payconiq solution. As a teaser, both Qustomer and the CityLife will be available in the Payconiq app and Payconiq as a payment solution in the CityLife app from today.”

Digital experience

“In the long run, both parties are working on a combined digital customer card with a mobile payment function which enables a unique digital experience for the customer,” ING continues. “Both the Qustomer and CityLife loyalty platform and the payment solution from Payconiq are open for clients from all Belgian banks.

“This further enhances the potential of the Payconiq payment platform as it will be easy for customers to make mobile payments, both online and in-store, and carry out direct transactions with contacts. All they need is a smartphone and a PIN code.”

Qustomer currently enables users to save loyalty points and exchange them using a physical card with a QR code. Payconiq allows users to make payments at dedicated Payconiq terminals by entering a PIN code into their mobile device.

“The importance of mobile payments, both online and in-store, is growing exponentially,” says Daniel Falque, CEO of KBC Belgium. “The cooperation between CityLife, Qustomer and Payconiq creates a unique, strong platform which builds on that trend and the tradition of cooperation in the Belgian financial sector.”

Next: Visit the NFCW Expo to find new suppliers and solutions