Contactless ATMs have been available in countries like Spain and Canada for some time, but they haven't made their way to the US. That will soon change, thanks to the proliferation of mobile payment services like Apple Pay and Android Pay, banks have begun the process of bringing contactless ATM capabilities to the US. According to reports from Wired and TechCrunch, Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo are all working on creating NFC-equipped ATMs, with Chase planning on rolling them out later this year.
Chase is rolling out its contactless ATM plan in two phases over the next year, according to Wired. The first phase will ask users to authenticate on their mobile banking app which will give them a seven digit code that allows them to access the ATM without their bank account without a debit card.
"This doesn’t replace the debit card. It’s just giving customers a more convenient choice in case they don’t have their debit card on them," Chase spokesman Michael Fusco toldWired. Although the next phase in Chase's plan may very well replace the physical card. Chase says it will rollout NFC-equipped ATMs later this year, that will let you access your ATM likely in the same way you access your credit cards on Apple Pay and Android Pay.
IT’S JUST GIVING CUSTOMERS A MORE CONVENIENT CHOICE IN CASE THEY DON’T HAVE THEIR DEBIT CARD ON THEM."
Wells Fargo and Bank of America will also adopt NFC-equipped ATMs later this year, according to TechCrunch, but neither would confirm that their services would work with Apple Pay. While neither would confirm that Apple Pay would be supported, TechCrunchis reporting that both banks are working on supporting the service.
The adoption of contactless ATMs by major banks in US will likely help to cut down on card skimming and fraud. With no physical debit card to swipe, criminals would have to figure out how to crack the tough encryption on mobile payment Apple and Google's services, which is no easy task.
If you're wondering when you'll be able to use your phone at the ATM, Bank of America is looking like it'll be first bank to rollout the new ATMs. The bank told TechCrunch it will begin rolling out new ATMs in late February at "select ATMs in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Charlotte, New York and Boston followed by a broader roll out to customers mid year."