Mumbai: National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has partnered with SBI Payments to announce the launch of ‘RuPay SoftPoS’ for millions of Indian merchants. This innovative solution has the capability to transform NFC enabled smartphones into merchant Point of Sale (PoS) terminals for the retailers. Merchants will now be able to accept contactless payments of up to INR 5000 through a simple tap and pay mechanism on their smart phones.

RuPay SoftPoS will provide cost effective acceptance infrastructure to retailers at nominal cost. This unique phenomenon would be able to proliferate digital payment acceptance among millions of underserved Indian MSMEs. Merchants can convert their existing android smartphone devices into a payment terminal by simply downloading a supported app. This solution will revolutionize the way micro and small merchants receive payments and create a demarcated shift in their tendency to deal in cash to accepting secure, contactless digital payments instead.

The RuPay SoftPoS is convenient and creates a superior transaction experience. Once the contactless menu is chosen, an appropriate amount is entered (< INR 5000). The RuPay card can then be tapped on the merchant’s mobile making these transactions instantaneously. As soon as the transaction is approved, the receipt of successful transaction is generated real time. This facility can be used on NCMC cards and RuPay Tokenized Card on mobile/ wearable to make payments in a secure and time efficient manner. The RuPay SoftPoS solution benefits the merchants and customers alike – it creates a smart and user-friendly acceptance infrastructure for merchants; whereas encourages the customers to make secure, contactless payments.

Giri Kumar Nair, MD & CEO SBI Payments said, SBI Payments is working closely with NPCI to support Government’s Digital India initiative enabling small and medium merchants in Semi Urban and Rural Centres. We are also enabling NCMC cards on our terminals to improve consumer experience and the RBI announcement allowing upto 5000 Rs txn thru tap and go facility has further enhanced our ability to reach out to wider number of merchant categories. There is also a special focus on North Eastern States onboarding merchants on asset light model enabling QR and tap on phone form factors.

Praveena Rai, COO, NPCI said, “We are delighted to partner with SBI to launch the RuPay SoftPoS solution aimed at creating an innovative payment solution for Indian MSMEs which forms the backbone of our economy. It is our endeavour to ensure that merchants from various geographies of the nation are on boarded into the ecosystem in order to deepen the penetration of digital acceptance infrastructure in the country. It is our belief that this is a step in the right direction of financial inclusivity as RuPay SoftPoS can provide an impetus to the digital on-boarding of merchants across the length and breadth of the country.”

Mumbai: Axis Bank today announced the launch of banking services on WhatsApp to enable its retail customers. This will allow customers to seek information regarding their account balance, recent transactions, credit card payments, fixed and recurring deposit details, besides getting their queries answered in real-time.

By using WhatsApp Banking, customers can now chat with Axis Bank for their queries related to their banking transactions, information like nearest branch, ATM or loan centre location, and can apply for various banking products as well. They can also block their credit or debit card using the secure end-to-end encrypted messaging channel.

This initiative is in line with the Bank’s Dil Se Open’ philosophy, to build sharper customer focus and greater convenience through constant innovation.

Commenting on the launch, Sameer Shetty, EVP and Head – Digital Banking, Axis Bank said: “Our objective is to re-define the role we can play in the life of our customers, by elevating digital banking to new domains of customer engagement. This technology will not only enhance customer experience but also provide a seamless and personalized experience to all our customers, as well as non-customers.’’

How to start Axis Bank banking services on WhatsApp

To get started with WhatsApp Banking, customers simply need to send ‘Hi’ to 7036165000 on WhatsApp.

Axis Bank WhatsApp Banking is available 24×7, including holidays, and the service will be available for both customers and non-customers of the bank. It is completely safe, as it works on a secure end-to-end encrypted messaging channel.