Tag: lloyds bank

NatWest mobile payments service has an unfortunate glitch

| March 2, 2016

Consumers continue to worry about the security issues associated with mobile commerce

Mobile commerce is growing in popularity, but this does not mean that new payment platforms are perfect. Over the past few years, consumers interested in mobile payments have expressed concern regarding security issues. Primarily, consumers are worried that their financial information is at risk of being exploited if they make use of a mobile payment service. This has been true in the past, as malicious groups have targeted such services and have gained access to sensitive information.

Some cash through Paym is going to the wrong accounts

NatWest, the United Kingdom’s largest retail and commercial bank, admits that mobile payments are not perfect. The bank’s own service, called Paym, is included in this, with the bank noting that, at times, money could be put into the wrong account due to a glitch. Before consumers can use Paym to make a purchase, they must funnel money into their accounts that are linked to the service. The glitch caused this money to be sent to accounts that were not linked to the service, much to the surprise of the owner of that bank account. NatWest is now working on fixing this problem in order to ensure that money goes where it is meant to.

Paym has become very popular among consumers

Mobile Payments ProblemPaym launched in April of 2014 and more than $150 million in payments have been sent through the service since that time. Approximately 40 million people use the service, making it one of the most popular services of its kind in the United Kingdom. Paym does not only work with NatWest accounts, of course, and those with accounts with Barclays, Lloyds Bank, and several other organizations can use the service.

Glitch highlights security concerns that exist in the mobile commerce space

The glitch suffered by Paym highlights ongoing concerns regarding the mobile commerce sector. Because new payment systems are electronic and, in many cases, automated, they are susceptible to faults in software. Glitches can lead to a major financial impact for consumers and businesses alike, which could result in liability issues for organizations responsible for these payment systems.

UK consumers see promise in mobile commerce

| September 8, 2015

Survey shows that many consumers expected to make daily mobile purchases within the next five years

The United Kingdom’s Lloyds Bank has released the results of a recent survey, through which it saw an increase in the interest consumers have in mobile commerce. According to the survey, approximately 34% of mobile consumers expect to make a payment with their device every day within the next five years. As more retailers become mobile-centric and offer new shopping experiences, consumers are beginning to use their devices to shop online more frequently.

Companies see new opportunities in the UK market

Several companies are beginning to see promise in the UK’s mobile commerce space. Apple is one such company, which believes that its Apple Pay service will do well in the country due to the growing number of mobile shoppers. Samsung is another, which intends to launch its new Samsung Pay service in the United States within the coming months. The company sees promise in the UK, but has not yet announced when the mobile payments service will be launched in the UK.

Older consumers are more interested in mobile commerce

UK Consumers - Mobile CommerceThe survey from Lloyds Bank shows that older consumers are more interested in mobile commerce than their younger counterparts. According to the survey, of those aged over 45, 59% believe that they will be using their mobile devices to make daily purchases. By comparison, 37% of those between the ages of 18 and 44 believe this. Older consumers, especially those with lengthy commutes, seem to be more interested in mobile shopping because of the convenience that it represents.

Security remains a top concern for consumers that want to use their mobile devices to shop online

Among those surveyed that do not currently participate in mobile commerce, 44% said they were concerned about the security of their financial information. Lack of security could leave consumers exposed to exploitation and fraud. This concern has prevented many people from making a mobile purchase, but the rise of biometric technology, which uses biologic information for the sake of security, may be changing that in the coming years.