. The launch on Android and iOS device applications is scheduled for later this month.
Originally launched in early 2012, Barclays Pingit was Europe’s first free service for sending and receiving money using only mobile phone numbers. It allows anyone over 16 years old to make speedy payments using just a mobile number. The service is connected to the bank accounts of Barclays customers, who in turn are able to send and receive funds. For non-Barclays customers, a digital wallet is created so easy payments, top-ups and withdrawals can be made.
For its eGift proposition, Pingit utilises the latest cloud-based environments and dynamic wallet capabilities to deliver a fresh and innovative eGifting solution. The free service, available to UK consumers regardless of whether they have an account with the bank, has proven to be a popular mechanism for sending money to friends and family as well as small business and individual traders, who can receive payments from customers quickly, easily and securely.
"Gifting through mCommerce is a leap forward for the payments market. For businesses, e-gifting is a cost-effective way to acquire new customers and maximize incremental spend," said Matthew Howe, managing director, Europe at Blackhawk Network. "For consumers, the ability to purchase and send gift cards across digital channels provides far greater ease and convenience than having to make a trip to a particular merchant to purchase a physical gift card."
Available with top entertainment, fashion, dining and digital content brands, Blackhawk Network’s gift card solutions benefit merchants by offering a broader customer acquisition channel, greater opportunity for incremental sales and the increased intelligence facilitated by easier customer data capture.
