Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet) and banks in Malaysia is set to launch DuitNow, a service that allows bank customers to transfer money instantly and securely using the recipient’s mobile phone number, on December 8th.

“DuitNow” promises to transform Malaysia’s payments landscape, bringing unparalleled convenience, efficiency, and immediate funds availability on a 24 x7 basis.

This quantum leap in electronic payments will act a catalyst for growth in Malaysia’s digital economy by reducing friction in payments and commerce.

“DuitNow allows bank customers to receive payments without the hassle of having to divulge their bank account number,” said Paynet group chief executive officer, Peter Schiesser.

By sharing their mobile phone number, registered DuitNow users can easily and instantly receive funds instead of having to provide their bank account numbers to payers.

Customers wishing to receive payments using their mobile numbers, will need only perform a one-time registration to link their mobile numbers with their account numbers.

“For those making a payment, they just need the recipient’s mobile phone number, which they probably already know. In the future, government agencies and businesses may disburse payments using MyKad numbers” added Schiesser.

In addition to that, bank customers may also choose other identifiers such asPR Identity Card numbers, Army or Police numbers, passport numbers or business registration numbers – to link with their bank accounts in order to receive money.

While a one-time registration is needed to receive payments, bank customers do not need to register to use DuitNow to make payments.

Once DuitNow is launched in December 2018, customers may make payments by accessing DuitNow under the ‘Funds Transfer’ menu of their respective banks’ Internet and Mobile banking channels. Making payments up to RM5,000 is free for consumers and SMEs.

Bank customers access DuitNow only within the secure confines of the Internet and Mobile Banking channels of their banks. In addition, banks safeguard the confidentiality of consumer data used in DuitNow in accordance with the Financial Services Act 2013 and Personal Data Protection Act 2010.

DuitNow will be opened to the public in December 2018, with 7 banks having taken the initiative to reach out to their customers for pre-registration, so that these customers can benefit from the new fund transfer service.

With this pre-registration, banks are allowing customers up to 30 November 2018 to opt-out from linking their mobile numbers.

Pre-registration is done for the convenience of customers so that they can seamlessly receive funds, however customers may opt-out if they wish. Customers may rest assured that banks in Malaysia, place utmost importance in safeguarding the confidentiality and protecting the privacy of customers.

After 8 December 2018, bank customers can also perform one-time DuitNow registration through the Internet and Mobile banking platforms of their bank. Customers may also cancel existing registrations or link their mobile numbers or other identifiers with a different bank or bank account.

“We named the service DuitNow to emphasise that the payments occur immediately and recipients will usually receive money in their bank account instantly.

“The launch of DuitNow will deliver a quantum leap in e-Payments value proposition to make it fast, frictionless and convenient to meet the demands for immediacy in an increasingly digital and connected world” added Schiesser.

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