Alpha Bank has introduced the most innovative smartwatch payment, Garmin Pay, to the Greek
market. The latest payment innovation is a collaboration between Alpha Bank, Visa and Garmin, and
follows Alpha Wallet, the first digital wallet to enable mobile phone payments, which Alpha Bank was
the first to launch approximately two years ago, with great success.
Garmin Pay is the most cutting-edge payment method, as it enables Alpha Bank debit and credit
cardholders to easily and securely make contactless payments to POS contactless terminals,
simply by wearing a Garmin “smart” watch. Initially only applicable to Visa cards, it will soon be
available for all Alpha Bank cards. The application was first introduced to the Greek market at
Spetsathlon, the annual landmark Greek triathlon event, held in the island of Spetses May 10 to 12,
2019.
The Manager of the Alpha Bank Cards and Personal Loans Division Mr. Grigorios Politis said: “Alpha
Bank once more confirms its commitment to creating groundbreaking and innovative products, as it
presents consumers with a unique, for Greek standards, contactless payment product. For the first time
in Greece, the new international Tokenization Service technology is applied, whereby the actual card
number is not stored, hence making payments significantly safer and easier to manage. Our goal is to
incorporate these new possibilities in other cutting-edge products and services soon.”
The Acting General Manager of Visa for Greece, Cyprus and Bulgaria Mrs. Andriana Pappa said: “We
are proud to be taking a step forward, together with Alpha Bank, in our commitment to simplify
payments as much as possible for consumers, and to ensure that any connected device used for
payments is safe. Introducing smartwatch contactless payments to the Greek market is a landmark in
our long-term collaboration with Alpha Bank. Visa cardholders in Greece have adopted contactless
payments over the past few years, because of their undisputed advantages: speed, convenience and
safety. Wearables not only have all these advantages, but they take them to the next level: they are
always in contact with consumers, they are part of their movements, hence payments run smoothly and
securely.”
The Marketing & Corporate Communication Director of Garmin Mrs. Nancy Zampeli said: “Garmin has
a well-established presence in wearables and is known for quality and innovation. The Garmin Pay
contactless payment method is yet another innovation, as the owners of compatible Garmin watches
can make payments without needing either their wallet or their mobile phone. It is our pleasure and
honour to be partnering with Alpha Bank and Visa in this new venture.”
Additional information about Garmin Pay is available at www.alpha.gr/cards.