Bank of America Starts Offering ATM Withdrawals Using Apple Pay

[MacRumors]

Bank of America has begun rolling out support for withdrawing cash from its ATMs using Apple Pay.

Approximately 650 card-less ATMs were deployed in the San Francisco area in May, and the technology expanded to 2,400 ATMs, including eleven in the Raleigh-Durham region, in early June.

The new ability was also spotted by a Reddit user located in Redondo Beach, California, who took a picture of an ATM apparently featuring an NFC reader positioned to the left of the card reader (via 9to5Mac).

When a smartphone is placed on the NFC logo, the user is prompted to enter their PIN number, after which they are taken to a typical withdrawal screen, although the option to deposit money is disabled.

Bank of America is said to be highlighting the new feature on supported ATMs, but customers should note that the Apple Pay option currently only works with bank cards issued by Bank of America, and not all NFC-equipped ATMs support Apple Pay at present.

Bank of America has launched a website detailing the process of withdrawing cash using Apple Pay. The site notes that "Consumer Debit Cards, US Trust Debit Cards, Small Business Debit Cards (owner card only)" are currently supported.

News that Bank of America and Wells Fargo were working on implementing Apple Pay into their ATMs first appeared back in January. Rollout to Bank of America's more than 16,000 ATMs was said to begin mid-2016, but no timeline was given for Wells Fargo.

Article Link: Bank of America Starts Offering ATM Withdrawals Using Apple Pay

 

[Nicksd84]

Awesome. Can't wait till the day I don't need a physical card in my pocket.

 

[freepomme]

Only Bank of America cards? Oh, I thought they could use any card on Apple Pay. Oh well.

I don't think I would use this though because I don't really use cash that often.

 

[Waxhead138]

Only Bank of America cards? Oh, I thought they could use any card on Apple Pay. Oh well.

I don't think I would use this though because I don't really use cash that often.

That is kind of ironic now that you bring it up lol. I think it's a cool implementation...but using a payment method that was partially designed to alleviate the need to carry cash is now used to get cash. That said it keeps the service versatile, and there where always be a situation where cash will be needed.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I love the concept but they need to figure out how to make it "universal." For example, I use Fidelity Investments as my "bank" since it allows me to use any ATM fee-free, not just one particular bank's ATM. Under the current implementation, I can't use ApplePay, which is a shame b/c it's not only more convenient, it's safer and more secure for both parties.

 

[kdarling]

Bank of America has begun rolling out support for withdrawing cash from its ATMs using Apple Pay (via 9to5Mac).

Or put more generally, they're adding support for NFC debit card transactions, which includes Apple Pay, among others.

They're still sticking to the PIN requirement for debit cards, though.

 

[now i see it]

Pulling out an iPhone, then getting a fistful of cash sure seems like a tempting target for a grab & run thief.
This is worse than using a card from a safety point of view.

A-pay replacing an ATM card is a geeky gimmick. A solution looking for a problem.
& the ole argument that someone then won't have to pull out their wallet to grab their ATM card is silly. Where ya gunna put the cash?
An ATM card is a much more elegant solution.

 

[newyorksole]

Pulling out an iPhone, then getting a fistful of cash sure seems like a tempting target for a grab & run thief.
This is worse than using a card from a safety point of view.

This is kind of a dumb post.

1) Always be aware of your surroundings.
2) Be very close to the ATM so people don't know whether you're using your phone or your card.
3) If someone can steal your phone and cash they can steal your wallet and cash.
4) Only go to an ATM in broad daylight while there are citizens around.

 

[4Apples]

The real question is if there's a fee when using apple pay for an atm? If there is I rather go old school

 

[2457282]

I like this new development. With Apple Pay, I need to carry less cards (still need to carry at least one since it is still not universal). If I can also start to get rid of arm cards it is awesome. Final blow to my wallet will be when the drivers license can be digitized.

 

[CaryMacGuy]

Pretty cool that it's the Bay Area and also the Triangle area that are getting this first...a clear indication that Raleigh-Durham is becoming very relevant.

 

[tmiw]

I love the concept but they need to figure out how to make it "universal." For example, I use Fidelity Investments as my "bank" since it allows me to use any ATM fee-free, not just one particular bank's ATM. Under the current implementation, I can't use ApplePay, which is a shame b/c it's not only more convenient, it's safer and more secure for both parties.

It'd also be nice to have deposit support too. I think they're kinda treating it like a third-party card right now though, which would explain why it's only withdrawal only for the moment.

 

[thisisnotmyname]

That is kind of ironic now that you bring it up lol. I think it's a cool implementation...but using a payment method that was partially designed to alleviate the need to carry cash is now used to get cash. That said it keeps the service versatile, and there where always be a situation where cash will be needed.

It keeps me from having to carry the physical card just because there's a chance I'll go to a cash only place and need to withdraw from an ATM. Less hassle in carrying things for me, greater security I won't lose the card or have it stolen. I'm happy about this.

 

[AlliFlowers]

It'd also be nice to have deposit support too. I think they're kinda treating it like a third-party card right now though, which would explain why it's only withdrawal only for the moment.

Why would you need it to deposit? That makes no sense. If you're depositing cash, you don't need your iPhone or a credit card. If you're depositing a check, doesn't your bank offer an iOS app for deposit?

It's not Apple's fault that BOA is the only bank adding in ATMs that will handle Apple Pay. Start asking your bank's to follow suit.

 

[KPOM]

It worked for me at an ATM in Chicago. There was no sign, but the ATM had an NFC logo on it. Of course, after hours, I still need a card to open the door, so I'm not entirely sold on the utility.

 

[wombat94]

As with all of ApplePay, this is partly about convenience, but largely about security.

Anywhere that we can eliminate either the mag stripe read or the Chip dip in favor of the more secure EMV NFC transaction is a good thing. ATM skimmers continue to be a problem. With NFC there is nothing to skim and the single use device-specific account number is easily changed (delete and re-enroll the card from your phone) if you want/need to at any time.

 

[timborama]

Only proves cash is still more useful than Pay

 

[avanpelt]

Strange that the option to deposit money is disabled when using Apple Pay. That's pretty much the only reason I go to an ATM these days.

 

[tmiw]

Why would you need it to deposit? That makes no sense. If you're depositing cash, you don't need your iPhone or a credit card. If you're depositing a check, doesn't your bank offer an iOS app for deposit?

It's not Apple's fault that BOA is the only bank adding in ATMs that will handle Apple Pay. Start asking your bank's to follow suit.

I have a BofA account.

I don't like to use mobile deposit because I don't like having to keep the check for 14 days in case they have questions. Much less stuff to keep track of if I go to the ATM down the street. Granted, I don't have to deposit checks that often.

 

[Sill]

You guys know I don't like Apple Pay at all, but even my paranoid brain sees this ATM withdrawal feature is definitely a good thing. ATM/debit cards are just about the least secure thing going right now in banking. Its far more convenient for a thief to skim a card than it is to forge a check. If there was one reason for me to accept Apple Pay, this would be it.

 

[l00pback]

Only proves cash is still more useful than Pay

Cash will always be more "useful" than ANY. OTHER. payment system. It's accepted everywhere. You never have to ask a merchant "do you take cash?"

That being said, cash has plenty of disadvantages. It's inconvenient, and not at all secure. I guess it all depends on what is important to you, as there will never be a one-size-fits-all solution. There will always be people who prefer to travel half way across town to the bank just so they can carry fist-fulls of cash everywhere they go.

 

[macs4nw]

Or put more generally, they're adding support for NFC debit card transactions, which includes Apple Pay, among others.

They're still sticking to the PIN requirement for debit cards, though.

My understanding is that you still need the PIN number, even with your smartphone. TouchId would be the logical choice.

 

[tmiw]

You guys know I don't like Apple Pay at all, but even my paranoid brain sees this ATM withdrawal feature is definitely a good thing. ATM/debit cards are just about the least secure thing going right now in banking. Its far more convenient for a thief to skim a card than it is to forge a check. If there was one reason for me to accept Apple Pay, this would be it.

I actually didn't know until this post. Why do you not like it, out of curiosity?

 

[l00pback]

From reading the article, and BofA's website on the subject, I'm seeing two scenarios here.

1. BofA already supports contactless, NFC card readers. This allows you to virtually "swipe" your debit card to begin the transaction. You still need to enter your PIN, just as you would if you physically swiped your card.

2. BofA is now rolling out support for Apple Pay. How is this different?

not all NFC-equipped ATMs support Apple Pay at present.

They are apparently making a distinction between simply supporting NFC, and supporting Apple Pay. Does this mean that the TouchID component of Apple Pay will replace the need to enter a PIN? Or is this similar to a merchant placing an Apple Pay logo next to the NFC reader at the check-out?

 

[MillieWales]

Pulling out an iPhone, then getting a fistful of cash sure seems like a tempting target for a grab & run thief.
This is worse than using a card from a safety point of view.

A-pay replacing an ATM card is a geeky gimmick. A solution looking for a problem.
& the ole argument that someone then won't have to pull out their wallet to grab their ATM card is silly. Where ya gunna put the cash?
An ATM card is a much more elegant solution.

It isn't a 'geeky gimmick' if you can use your fingerprint instead of entering a PIN, in the UK we have had a lot of issues with cards being skimmed and cloned at cash points, maybe it's a world wide problem. I was saying last week that if we didn't have to put a card in or enter a PIN it would have a huge impact on fraud as it would be near impossible to clone cards.

Cards are not the solution, I would happily go without cards, I use Apple Pay for around 50% of all transactions now and would happily use it for all others. I don't do this because it's geeky, cool or saves time (although it's quicker to pay for an item with Apple Pay than it is with a card) I do it for the increased security. I've had cards cloned twice in the last 5 years, one was at a cashpoint and one at a petrol station. If nobody touches or even sees my card then they can't clone it.

We also have issues with some organisations using some rather underhand tactics to link cards to people. I don't use loyalty cards, I don't feel the rewards are worth worrying about and I don't like the junk mail or spam that follows them. However recently my partner paid for something in a large UK supermarket using her card, a few days later got an email with offers connected to the purchase. The only time she had given an email address to that supermarket is when doing some online shopping, and she used the same card. So what they've done is take the card details and linked them to he email address, then when she purchased in store connected it to her email address. I don't think that's quite riht personally, I'm not worried about being watched, I'm just worried how much information people have and what they may do with it.

If the store took Apple Pay they wouldn't be able to link the purchases, it's anonymous, just the way it should be unless we decided to have one of their loyalty cards.

Back to the cashpoint machines, they really need to take the next steps and allow people to not use their PIN, that would really increase security and reduce fraud and theft. A universal solution is also essential, hopefully that won't be too far behind.