This bank wants you to take out cash using your Android smartphone
Barclays argues that giving customers access to cash using only their smartphone can increase security.
Barclays bank is piloting a service which will allow customers to withdraw money from their account using their Android smartphone.
The service is being tested in the north of England before rolling it out to over 180 branches next year, the company said. It will be available via more than 600 in-branch machines, allowing customers to withdraw cash with a tap of their Android smartphone, or contactless debit card, using NFC technology.
The service has three options: customers can log into their Barclays Mobile Banking app to pre-select the amount of cash they want to withdraw and enter their PIN. They then have 30 seconds to tap their phone against the contactless reader on the in-branch machine, which will then dispense their cash.
Alternatively customers with an Android smartphone, or contactless debit card, can tap their phone or card against the contactless reader, before entering their PIN on the machine and withdrawing their cash as normal.
The bank argues that by giving customers access to cash using only their smartphone, it can increase security because it removes the risk of magnetic card skimming and distraction fraud, as the device does not leave your hand.
Apple devices cannot use the service because the NFC chips in the iPhone are used for its Apple Pay service and do not allow third-party apps access, according to the BBC.
The bank said the contactless cash functionality will be available on NFC-enabled Android devices that have downloaded the latest version of Barclays Mobile Banking.