Sampath Bank introduces SL’s first touchless cash withdrawals across its ATM network

* Another Pathbreaking Innovation from the Bank That Gave Sri Lanka Its First ATMs ~

* Customers of All Banks in Sri Lanka Can Withdraw Cash Safely During the Pandemic

Sampath Bank PLC last week announced the introduction of Touchless Cash Withdrawals at Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) for the first time in Sri Lanka, and possibly the first time in the region.State Minister of Money & Capital Markets and State Enterprise Reforms Ajith Nivard Cabraal, M.P., was the chief guest at the commissioning of this at the bank’s head office premises. He performed the first touchless withdrawal in the presence of senior bank officials.Sampath said in a news release that its own customers and customers of all other banks in the country will now be able to withdraw the funds in their accounts and cards at any Sampath Bank ATM around the island by simply scanning the QR code displayed on the ATM screen using the Sampath WePay app.”Doing away with the need to physically touch the surface of the ATM, this is set to minimize risk and enhance customer safety, thereby serving as an ideal means of withdrawing cash from ATMs during the current global COVID-19 pandemic,” the release said.”This is yet another trailblazing digital solution brought to the Sri Lankan market by Sampath Bank. Right from its inception, the Bank has continued to deliver several innovations to the market including the introduction of the country’s first multi-point network of ATMs back in 1988.”

Cabraal commended this initiative saying this was a timely innovation for safe withdrawal of cash by customers of all banks in the context of pandemic challenges.To make a touchless cash withdrawal at any Sampath ATM, all that needs to be done is to select the QR option on their Sampath WePay app, scan the unique QR code that comes up on the ATM’s screen, enter the amount and select the account or card they would like to make the withdrawal from, the release explained.

“The system processes the request upon the customer’s authorization, debits the relevant account or card and issues the cash requested through the ATM, almost instantaneously. The need to scan the QR code which is unique to each transaction makes it necessary for the customer to be physically present at the ATM, thus offering an added layer of security,” it said.

Users can learn more about going touchless by calling 011-2303050.The Sampath WePay app can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store and Huawei AppGallery. Users can then onboard themselves by entering their National Identity Card (NIC) details and begin transacting through the app by updating their Sampath Bank or any other bank’s account, credit card or debit card details, the release said.

“Customers of other banks need to complete the mandatory Know Your Customer (KYC) formalities and top up their Sampath WePay wallets to be able to use the Touch Cash Withdrawals facility at Sampath Bank ATMs. Sampath Bank does not charge any annual fees, commissions, or transaction fees for Sampath WePay.”Caption: State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal, M.P., performing the first Touchless Cash Withdrawal transaction at the Sampath Bank Head Office premises.