AIB Visa Debit Card roll out thread

deano_rich

I was just wondering would AIB, be bringing out a VISA Debit Card any time soon?

Ulster Bank Ireland seem to be the only bank at the moment in Ireland with the Visa Debit Card - http://www.ulsterbank.ie/roi/personal/daily-banking/current-accounts/card/visa-debit.ashx
But I would like to know if anybody knew if AIB plan to release the Visa Debit Card, as it is much more useful than the AIB Maestro Debit card

**Timbuk2**

I can't see AIB moving away from Laser any time soon. Unless they have plans to, but I have heard nothing.

deano_rich

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

I can't see AIB moving away from Laser any time soon. Unless they have plans to, but I have heard nothing.

Just in your opionion mate, which is better? Laser or Visa Debit?

Carroller16

Permanent Tsb are changing from Laser to Visa Debit in the Autumn

deano_rich

Surely if Permanent TSB are changing aswel, it won't be long before the rest move over also?

marc1

deano_rich wrote: »

Just in your opionion mate, which is better? Laser or Visa Debit?

Visa Debit is a lot better! as far as I know, it can do everything a laser card can do, but it can also be used on line to book flights, rent cars... And it works all over the world as it works nearly everywhere where VISA is accepted!

So unless you don't travel and don't use the internet there is no different. If you do the Visa debit is better.

deano_rich

marc1 wrote: »

Visa Debit is a lot better! as far as I know, it can do everything a laser card can do, but it can also be used on line to book flights, rent cars... And it works all over the world as it works nearly everywhere where VISA is accepted!

So unless you don't travel and don't use the internet there is no different. If you do the Visa debit is better.

Thanks guys, think a switch to Ulster Bank might be in order :rolleyes:

**Timbuk2**

deano_rich wrote: »

Just in your opionion mate, which is better? Laser or Visa Debit?

Visa Debit by a mile. Visa Debit can do all that Laser can (it is accepted anywhere) but can be used on any websites. I've never once had it refused by any website or in a shop/supermarket etc. Internet purchases are the main reason why I changed to Visa Debit. Laser is too outdated, and useful only in Ireland, and on Irish websites. Visa Debit can be used worldwide as well. You can still get Cashback with Visa Debit, so there are no disadvantages.

Remember, like Laser cards, you have to pay €5 stamp duty a year - but it's worth it!

iPlop

Wrong link...

Butch Cassidy

That doesn't say anything about Visa Debit Card.

Where can I use my new AIB Debit Card?
Your new AIB Debit Card is widely accepted at supermarkets, petrol stations, department stores and other retail outlets. It is also accepted worldwide in over 120 countries at millions of retail outlets and ATMs where the Maestro and Link symbols are displayed. You can also use your card to pay for goods and services by phone, and over the internet where the Laser is accepted.

iPlop

Butch Cassidy wrote: »

That doesn't say anything about Visa Debit Card.

You're correct ,I jumped the gun a bit I clicked a link that said visa debit and got that and presumed it was


I'll get me coat.

Butch Cassidy

I wonder is there an issue here with Laser/Visa Debit Card and the bailout, solvency issues etc. Is there political situation with AIB still using Laser? Since they're 90odd% state owned now maybe they've more important things to be worrying about.

I don't thnk Ulster Bank was overexposed to the prop bubble too bad.

iPlop

Butch Cassidy wrote: »

I wonder is there an issue here with Laser/Visa Debit Card and the bailout, solvency issues etc. Is there political situation with AIB still using Laser? Since they're 90odd% state owned now maybe they've more important things to be worrying about.

I don't thnk Ulster Bank was overexposed to the prop bubble too bad.

Yeah I thought about that as well ,you'd think they'd be all over this VISA debit card by now.Maybe by making it lass easy to spend money it gives them a bigger return on their deposits ,don't forget it's debit not credit so it's coming straight out of the bank and lets face it ,people can spend money very easy on the internet.You can't use laser for a lot of the usual stuff ,ebay etc..

GerardKeating

Butch Cassidy wrote: »

I wonder is there an issue here with Laser/Visa Debit Card and the bailout, solvency issues etc. Is there political situation with AIB still using Laser? Since they're 90odd% state owned now maybe they've more important things to be worrying about.

I don't thnk Ulster Bank was overexposed to the prop bubble too bad.

AIB have always been a Mastercard house, Mastercard have a debit card, if AIB do change, they will go Mastercard Debit (which is not the same as Maestro)..

dotsman

GerardKeating wrote: »

AIB have always been a Mastercard house, Mastercard have a debit card, if AIB do change, they will go Mastercard Debit (which is not the same as Maestro)..

Nope, they will be going Visa Debit. Pardon the pun, but it's been on the cards for quite a while but, as Butch Cassidy, pointed out, they've had bigger priorities over the past few years. I would imagine that, at the very least, they will make an announcement later this year.

With regards AIB being a "Mastercard house"; I'm not sure where you are getting that from. Both the "Click" and the "Platinum" cards are Visa only, with the "Be" customers given a choice of Mastercard or Visa.

GerardKeating

dotsman wrote: »

Nope, they will be going Visa Debit. Pardon the pun, but it's been on the cards for quite a while but, as Butch Cassidy, pointed out, they've had bigger priorities over the past few years. I would imagine that, at the very least, they will make an announcement later this year.

With regards AIB being a "Mastercard house"; I'm not sure where you are getting that from. Both the "Click" and the "Platinum" cards are Visa only, with the "Be" customers given a choice of Mastercard or Visa.

In the dim distance past, AIB did Mastercard, and BoI did Visa, now they do both.

Linoge

Just heard that UB were doing the Visa debit card today and seriously thinking about switching. Had one when in the states and they are so handy to have.

Really tempted - but if AIB were a few months off I would consider staying put.

Dr.Sanchez

Linoge wrote: »

Just heard that UB were doing the Visa debit card today and seriously thinking about switching. Had one when in the states and they are so handy to have.

Really tempted - but if AIB were a few months off I would consider staying put.

AIB are already doing visa debit cards, I got one on the post the other day!

dotsman

00Blaine00 wrote: »

AIB are already doing visa debit cards, I got one on the post the other day!

No offence, but are you certain it's a visa debit card? Had you specifically requested it? I knew they were working on it, but wasn't expecting it for at least another few months.

Rebel1977

00Blaine00 wrote: »

AIB are already doing visa debit cards, I got one on the post the other day!

AIB dont do visa debit cards only do visa credit card and maestro laser card

Dr.Sanchez

Ah my mistake, it was my TSB card... Not the AIB one!

filmbuffboy

in this day and age aib would be mad not to move to visa debit. if they put off much longer they might see customers move banks in droves. esp younger ones!

Gamer Bhoy 89

I left Ireland in November 2010 and I'm coming back in May this year..

I little birdy told me that AIB are goin' to be sendin' out Visa Debit cards to replace the Laser Maestro cards (which suck for me as I frequently purchased items online but was stuck using a 3V card which I can't be a**ed doing all the bloody time).

Is this true? I still have my Laser on me since I left and I was just wondering. Would be well handy if this is true.

Thanks.

GerardKeating

gamercfc wrote: »

I left Ireland in November 2010 and I'm coming back in May this year..

I little birdy told me that AIB are goin' to be sendin' out Visa Debit cards to replace the Laser Maestro cards (which suck for me as I frequently purchased items online but was stuck using a 3V card which I can't be a**ed doing all the bloody time).

Is this true? I still have my Laser on me since I left and I was just wondering. Would be well handy if this is true.

Thanks.

Not true (or not yet anyway), It's Bank of Ireland that are doing this.

**Timbuk2**

You probably know, but Ulster Bank and Permanent TSB have Visa Debit already, and Bank of Ireland will have in the future. A much superior card in my opinion, never had a problem with my Ulster Bank one.

Gamer Bhoy 89

Okay, will probably have to consider switching then when I come back.

dotsman

GerardKeating wrote: »

Not true (or not yet anyway), It's Bank of Ireland that are doing this.

Actually, it is true. Just no date has been announced. At a guess, I would expect an announcement this year with people being moved over by the end of the year. First Trust (AIB in Northern Ireland) are already on Visa Debit and AIB ROI are preparing for the switch at the moment.

user1842

dotsman wrote: »

No offence, but are you certain it's a visa debit card? Had you specifically requested it? I knew they were working on it, but wasn't expecting it for at least another few months.

Where did you get this information from?

I got a call from AIB today to ask me if everything was OK with my banking. I said that I am moving to Ulster bank because AIB do not do a VISA debit card.

I asked were they planning on introducing it in the future and they said no.

A lot of mis-information I think is going around. I would love to know the real story.

scotchannie

just spoke to my aib branch and they have no plans to move over to the aib visa card at present, but will do in the next year or two, then everyone will be given a card automatically that has a current account.

user1842

scotchannie wrote: »

just spoke to my aib branch and they have no plans to move over to the aib visa card at present, but will do in the next year or two, then everyone will be given a card automatically that has a current account.

I wonder do they actually have plans or are they just saying so to keep customers. I would like to see a delivery raodmap here

Solair

I haven't heard what AIB are doing but they have launched MasterCard SecureCode for their Laser/Maestro cards. Although, you still can't use them for anything online that doesn't accept Laser!

I find the whole Maestro thing rather useless.

Given that Permanent TSB, Ulster Bank and now Bank of Ireland all issue Visa Debit, I really don't think there's going to be much point in keeping Laser alive just for AIB, National Irish Bank and a couple of the soon-to-be-merged building societies which hardly have many current accounts anyway!

I would imagine that they'll switch to either Visa Debit or possibly MasterCard debit, which is very popular in other European countries.

Solair

I notice AIB refers to Laser card simply as "AIB Debit Card" on a lot of their marketing literature, website etc. So, I would assume they're distancing themselves from the branding and keeping their options open.

They also recently rolled out SecureCode from MasterCard on their Laser/Maestro cards, but they're still unusable internationally!

I'd say it's possible that they might roll out either Visa or MasterCard debit before long. I'd say it's just a question of which provider gives them the best deal.

The advantage of Laser card for AIB is that they basically own the infrastructure and are not paying to use the brand. However, now that the cards have to carry co-branding, that advantage is gone really.

The European Commission requires that all cards are usable, at least physically, and ultimately online, across Europe under the SEPA (Single European Payment Area) initiative. That's the main reason that the banks in the Eurozone are all ditching their national debit card systems in favour of the likes of Visa and MasterCard debit.

SEPA also mandated things like EMV (Chip and PIN) technology. Some countries are only barely meeting that deadline / are actually late e.g. Spain and *Germany* are still not fully chip and PIN ready even though the deadline was supposed to be 2010.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_Euro_Payments_Area

godtabh

Just annoninced on Breakingnews.ie

Looking forward to this. Second half of 2012 apperantley.

Link

chasm

Was just reading about it here,

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0718/breaking26.html

God bless AIB, they'll never win any prizes for being market leaders will they!

NuMarvel

VISA Debit and contactless, nice one!

Small correction to your post godtabh, the cards are expected in the second half of 2012, not the first.

dotsman

chasm wrote: »

Was just reading about it here,

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0718/breaking26.html

God bless AIB, they'll never win any prizes for being market leaders will they!

Um, they've pretty much always been market leaders when it comes to technological services. Also, the main issue here is that they are offering Smart cards. Along with BOI, they are the only banks in Ireland offering this service.

I don't think I'd feel comfortable using a debit card online. Will probably stick with my MasterCard for that.

unclebill98

UB have been testing contactless cards for well over a year.

Retailer buy in is the biggest issue. There aimed mainly at garages etc because of the small limit. So handy for your lunch etc.

dotsman

unclebill98 wrote: »

UB have been testing contactless cards for well over a year.

Retailer buy in is the biggest issue. There aimed mainly at garages etc because of the small limit. So handy for your lunch etc.

In ROI? I've never heard or seen anyone use it. I know one of the banks (possibly UB) have trialled it in their HQ, but I've never seen it out in "the every day world" so to speak.

Karsini wrote: »

I don't think I'd feel comfortable using a debit card online. Will probably stick with my MasterCard for that.

Yes, if you have a credit card, it is better to use it online than a debit. That's why I've never been bothered about Visa Debit (had it years ago when lived in the states, but never used it, as I had a credit card as well).

Wheety

I guess this means the end of Laser Card. Sad to see another company going. Are they Irish? Their website just says Irish based. Still, more jobs gone.

It says on their website that they have 2.6m cards in circulation. AIB have 1.4m of those and I reckon BOI could easily make up the rest.

TiGeR KiNgS

Laser is a crap service to be honest. This should of been done years ago, pre- bust era.

shubj

I feel like opening an account with Ulster Bank and not bothering with AIB anymore. We've been left waiting ages for the Visa Debit card. I've been using 3v in the meantime paying stupid top up fees amongst other problems with it.

Why are us AIB customers the last ones to be able to use this?

I am just going to ask AIB this now!

NuMarvel

AIB to introduce VISA Debit, from 2nd half of 2012.

AIB is planning to ditch the familiar Laser and Maestro card, replacing it with the Visa debit card from next year.

The bank announced the plans this morning, saying it would replace the debit cards in the second half of 2012.

The move will pave the way for the lender to introduce contactless payments for small transactions, which will allow Visa Debit holders to pay for purchases of €15 or under by holding their card over a reader at certain retail outlets.

There are additional security features in the new card that help prevent it from being used by unauthorised people. The card can only be used a certain number of times or for a certain value before a PIN is required.

AIB currently has about 1.4 million debit cards in circulation.

Earlier this month, Bank of Ireland said it planned to issue contactless Visa debit cards to its customers later this year. More than 20 million of the contactless debit cards are already being used in Europe.

(Other thread here, thanks for the heads up godtabh)

bk

dotsman wrote: »

In ROI? I've never heard or seen anyone use it. I know one of the banks (possibly UB) have trialled it in their HQ, but I've never seen it out in "the every day world" so to speak.

I've seen the contactless pad on chip and pin machines in some shops. AIB have been rolling these out over the past year. Haven't seen any been used, but they are certainly preparing for them.

The contactless pad looks like what you see next to the drivers on dublin bus.

bk

So it looks like Visa won out big time over Mastercard in the Irish Market.

AIB, BOI and Ulster Bank all gone or will go with visa debit.

shubj

Hehe thanks. They also sent me this reply but I'm sorry but I am not hanging around using 3v until 2012. That is taking the mick...

Thank you for your mail. We announced yesterday that we have decided to switch to the Visa debit card system. This will be rolled out in 2012 along the same time lines as the other main bank, Bank of Ireland. Ulster Bank have had the visa debit system for some time however, we were in a contract with Laser.

All AIB customers will automatically be transferred over and will receive their new Visa debit card in 2012,we're hoping early second half of 2012.


If I can be of any further assistance please contact me.

sitstill

shubj wrote: »

This will be rolled out in 2012 along the same time lines as the other main bank, Bank of Ireland.

Does this mean that BOI is not issuing them till the same time as AIB in 2012?

dotsman

bk wrote: »

I've seen the contactless pad on chip and pin machines in some shops. AIB have been rolling these out over the past year. Haven't seen any been used, but they are certainly preparing for them.

The contactless pad looks like what you see next to the drivers on dublin bus.

Oh, I knew AIB had already started rolling out the contactless POS terminals. It's just I'm not aware of anybody using them yet (for payments, I have heard that there are certain gift cards using them)

dotsman

TiGeR KiNgS wrote: »

Laser is a crap service to be honest. This should of been done years ago, pre- bust era.

No it shouldn't. Laser/maestro is the exact same service. The only difference is that the big boys (Visa/Mastercard) have, over the past few years, been eating up the competition, and will soon have a duopoly in place on the debit card market to compliment their duopoly in the credit card market.

The advantage of the duopoly? A common format (thus acceptance) globally).

The disadvantage? Expensive. Expect to see increased charges in years to come when retailers/customers have no choice.

Wheety wrote: »

I guess this means the end of Laser Card. Sad to see another company going. Are they Irish? Their website just says Irish based. Still, more jobs gone.

It says on their website that they have 2.6m cards in circulation. AIB have 1.4m of those and I reckon BOI could easily make up the rest.

Yes it is sad. Unfortunately, as seen on this thread, and so many others, people prefer global corporations to Irish companies. Someone once said "to be Irish is to hate being Irish".

Halo Kitty

I have a MBNA visa card and a TSB visa debit card....i am thinking of cancelling my MBNA card as i pay €30 tax a yr on a card i rarely use now......Am i right to think about cancelling this card...or should i keep it ....thanks for any pending advice....

Linoge

dotsman wrote: »

Yes it is sad. Unfortunately, as seen on this thread, and so many others, people prefer global corporations to Irish companies. Someone once said "to be Irish is to hate being Irish".

To be fair - Laser can only be used in Ireland, can only be used on a handful of (mainly Irish) websites and they havent kept up with the technology that the other debit cards have. Not even close.