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Saudi Central BankSaudi Central BankNewsSAMA Launches “Mada Atheer” Service to Enhance E-Payment and Reduce Cash Use
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SAMA Launches “Mada Atheer” Service to Enhance E-Payment and Reduce Cash Use
11/8/2016 12:00 AM

SAMA launched "Mada Atheer" service that allows cardholders to make their payments by waving the card in front of the PoS terminal. The service is for low-value transactions (SAR 100 or less) with total cumulative amount of SAR 300 without entering the PIN. Cardholders' bank account will be directly debited. In some cases, cardholders may be asked to insert their card and enter their PIN for extra security.

To easily identify the stores offering the service, a special logo has been designed and is displayed on a visible spot near service providers' cashiers. The logo (  ) is also placed on atheer-enabled Mada cards.

 "Mada Atheer" service has been launched after the great success it had during the trial period that started on January 1, 2016 with a number of local stores and banks. This service allows "Mada" cardholders to swiftly complete their low-amount transactions, provides stores with marketing, competitive advantage by expanding payment options and benefits, and contributes to e-payment initiatives.

 During the trial period, "Mada Atheer" was greatly used by cardholders, though it was newly introduced. This is because it enhances "Mada" capability to execute low-value transactions in a fast, easy and immediate manner with the card being in the hand of its cardholder. During the trial, 750 thousand atheer-enabled Mada cards were issued, more than 50,000 terminals supporting "Atheer" service were installed and more than 8,000 transactions were executed.

                SAMA emphasized that this service is optional and is provided upon request for free without any fees incurred by the cardholder or the merchant. For further information, please contact local banks or visit Mada website "www.mada.com.sa".

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