Bank of Ireland have confirmed that they will be replacing Laser cards with Visa Debit Cards. BOI will begin the rollout of 100 million new Visa Debit Cards to all of their customers in the second half of 2011. The introduction of the new cards will provide BOI customers with significantly more options for online purchases and withdrawing cash and making payments worldwide. Laser card is generally not accepted as an online payment method outside of Ireland.

"Visa Debit will allow our customers to complete more transactions electronically given its global acceptance across more than 200 countries", said Quentin Teggin, head of Consumer Segments at Bank of Ireland.

BOI customers will also be able to enroll in the Verified By Visa (3D Secure) scheme, something with was lacking for online laser card transactions. At present there are almost three million Laser cards in circulation in Ireland. The card type accounts for almost 17 million transactions per month.

BOI dropping Laser will be a big loss to Laser and it leaves just AIB, National Irish Bank and EBS as the only Laser issuers in Ireland. Una Dylan, a spokeswoman for Laser, said the decision would mean the company would need to consider its future.

Dave

--

If you liked this article then you can:

• Subscribe to our Blog RSS feed
• Become a fan of webpayments.ie on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter

Related Blog Posts:

• 120,000 Bank of Ireland customers double-charged for laser transactions
• The beginning of the end for cheques in Ireland
• Ruby Card - A Prepaid MasterCard launches in Ireland
  

Ruby Card was recently launched in Ireland by Tuxedo Money. This prepaid MasterCard can be used worldwide anywhere that accepts MasterCard. This includes using the card in ATMs to withdraw cash. The main selling point for the card appears to be accessibility, Ruby Card does not require you to have a bank account, nor are their any credit checks. You can put money onto your card via bank transfer or else at PayZone locations throughout Ireland.

I am not entirely sure who the Ruby Card is aimed at. Perhaps people who have issues controlling their spend with a credit card or people who have security concerns about using credit cards online or maybe it is people with credit problems who are unable to get a credit card. There are a number of providers who already operate in prepaid credit/debit card space such as Moneybookers, 3V, Perfect Card and Payzone, so there must be a market for this type of card/service.

There are a considerable amount of fees associated with the Ruby card but at least they are clearly outlined on their site. Examples of some of the fee's include €1 per minute if you check your balance via phone, 95c a minute if you call their sales line and 3% if you put funds on your card via PayPoint. Depending on which plan you choose there is either a fixed monthly fee (€6 per month) or else you pay a transaction fee when you make a purchase (2.95% subject to a minimum of 75c and a maximum of €2).

The Ruby Card includes an eccount which is described as a secure online wallet. One of the features is you have your salary lodged direct to the eccount. Maybe it is just me but I don't really get why someone would use a service like this. You pay to put money in and you pay to take it out. I suppose I must not be the type of person they are aiming it at.

Ruby Card are making good use of social media for their launch and marketing. They are using Twitter, Facebook, Blogging, a photo competition and a bingo game on Twitter. As well as building their brand they will also need to build trust if they want people to start using their eccount as an online banking solution.

Do you use any of these prepaid card solutions or know people who do? What are the main reasons you choose these over other forms of credit and debit cards?

Dave

--

If you liked this article then you can:

• Subscribe to our Blog RSS feed
• Become a fan of webpayments.ie on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter

Related Blog Posts:

• Boots to trial contactless payments in the UK