Contactless cards will allow customers to make quick payments in shops (providing they have the required POS terminal). The transaction is carried out when the cardholder waves the card next to the POS terminal: then the chip connects with the terminal and the payment is made. The system is particularly useful for low value payments. The use of electronic payments in this kind of transactions means additional benefits for cardholders, mainly convenience, speed and security. It is also interesting for merchants, especially for those that process large numbers of low value transactions such as fast food restaurants, kiosks, coffee shops, flower shops, tourist shops, etc. The contactless security system is totally guaranteed. When making purchases of over 20€ the client will have to insert his PIN in order to validate the transaction. „“la Caixa““ guarantees the proper use of this contactless payment system with CaixaProtect, a system that protects cardholders of this bank in case there is fraudulent use of their electronic payment means. On the other hand, contactless technology is also prepared to operate in specially equipped ATMs. „“la Caixa““ will soon install some of these terminals in different locations of the Balearic Islands. Contactless cards can also integrate other added value services for cardholders. For example, in the Balearic Islands, „“la Caixa““ has signed an agreement with the Metropolitan Transport Company (EMT) of Palma de Mallorca to integrate transport tickets in „“la Caixa““ Visa cards. This way, Visa contactless cards issued by this bank could be used as a transportation card in the EMT urban buses which have a special reading terminal installed. These cards can also be recharged at the usual selling points. The infrastructure of contactless POS terminals in merchants and the public transport network is designed to accept all possible contactless payment devices that may be launched in the near future: cards, mobile phones, other technological devices, etc. „“la Caixa““ launches this project with cards because they are the most common payment device for users and the best suited for a large scale distribution, but the system will be universally valid. It won´t be necessary to install any additional technology when the new mobile phones that allow contactless payments are launched in the market. Any European customer who has a Visa contactless card (also known as Visa payWave) issued by any international bank, would be able to use his card in the Balearic Islands if he wishes to. At the same time, Visa contactless cardholders of „“la Caixa““ would also be able to use their cards in other places of the world where merchants accept contactless payments http://press.lacaixa.es