French financial services company LCL has introduced a service that securely issues payment card PIN codes to customers via SMS texting.
The programme has been introduced initially for cardholders who forget their confidential code when out shopping or withdrawing cash. In a second phase, the bank intends to extend PIN issuance to coincide with the mail-out of newly-created cards.
LCL is using Gemalto's Netsize platform, which offers direct connections to more than 160 mobile operators globally for message delivery.
"LCL recognises the mobile channel as a new opportunity to support their continued drive to optimise card activation rates and be the top-of-wallet choice for payment," comments Philippe Cambriel, president for Europe, Mediterranean and CIS at Gemalto. "Enabling cardholders to get their PIN code on their mobile phone prompts them to start using their banking card as soon as they receive it."