The new technology, which uses radio-frequency to send payment information rapidly and securely over an extremely short distance to the terminal, helps customers to make purchases by simply waving their card near a protected reader at checkout.

Ed Prosser, consumer lending director for First Citizens, said: At First Citizens, we are committed to providing unrivaled service to our customers.

By issuing payment cards embedded with Visa payWave technology, we can offer our customers a faster payment experience while providing the same level of convenience and security they’ve come to expect from First Citizens, he added.