Another step in advancing innovation and convenience in payments:
The Bank of Israel continues to encourage innovation in the world of payments in Israel, including by advancing smart transactions (transactions using the EMV standard). It will soon be necessary to type in a PIN code every time you use a credit card (except for phone or Internet purchases)—when withdrawing cash and when making payments at stores. In order to make it easier for customers to get use to the change, the Bank of Israel has required the banks and credit card companies to enable customers to choose their own PIN number for their smart charge cards (cards with chips).
Bank of Israel Governor Prof. Amir Yaron said, "The transition to smart cards by using a PIN code is a further important step in the changes the Bank of Israel is leading together with other parties to establish an innovative and secure payment system infrastructure to benefit consumers and businesses. The expansion of the use of the EMV standard will enable users to benefit from the entry of additional payment data, development of innovative tools by the existing companies, and increase competition in this field."
Supervisor of Banks Dr. Hedva Ber said, "The customer's ability to select a PIN code for credit cards will help dispel worries on the part of charge card holders and businesses regarding the transition to the innovative world of payments. The adoption of the EMV advanced payments standard and execution of smart transactions will advance innovation and enable payments to be made through means such as digital wallets, will support increased competition and the entry of new players to the payments field in Israel, and will reduce the risk of counterfeiting and misuse of payment cards. I call on customers to choose their own PIN number—which is easy and more convenient—and on businesses to join the smart payment revolution and make the payments market more advanced."
Making smart transactions at merchants while using a physical payment card generally requires the entry of a PIN code. This is common in making payments abroad, and will soon become more widespread at businesses in Israel. One of the concerns of customers traveling abroad who would like to use their payment card, as well as of merchants in Israel prior to the implementation of the standard, is that customers will not remember their PIN code when paying at the cashier, particularly a card that they do not normally use to withdraw cash.
In order to help customers and enable an easier transition to making smart payments at merchants, the Banking Supervision Department has required all issuers (banks and credit card companies) to enable customers to change the PIN code on their credit and debit cards with a self-selected PIN (SSP) of their choice.
Accordingly, all customers can now change the code on their smart cards at bank ATM's throughout Israel based on the type of card the customer has—bank card or nonbank card—according to the following table:
Bank cards[1]
|
Type of card |
The code can be changed at a cash withdrawal machine belonging to bank: |
||
|
Card from Bank Hapoalim |
m |
||
|
Card from Bank Leumi |
Leumi |
||
|
Card from Discount Bank |
Discount, Mercantile |
||
|
Card from First International Bank |
First International, Massad |
||
|
Card from Bank Mizrahi-Tefahot |
Mizrahi-Tefahot | ||
|
Card from Bank of Jerusalem |
Bank of Jerusalem |
||
|
Card from Mercantile Bank |
Discount, Mercantile |
||
|
Card from Bank Yahav |
Yahav |
||
|
Card from Union Bank |
Union Bank (starting from 30/1/2020) |
||
|
Card from Bank Massad |
Massad, First International |
Nonbank cards[2]
|
Type of card |
The code can be changed at a cash withdrawal machine belonging to bank: |
|
Card from Isracard\ American Express |
Hapoalim, Leumi*, First International*, Massad* |
|
Card from CAL\ Mercantile |
Discount\Diners |
|
Card from MAX |
Leumi |
*-In most of the bank ATM's
This new services enables all customers to change the code on their smart cards easily and simply, and to set a 4-digit combination that is easy for them to remember.
More information changing the PIN card, and further questions and answers (such as: What is the EMV standard, how do I know whether I have a smart card, how do I change the PIN code on the card, how frequently should I change the PIN code, can I choose the same PIN code for all of my cards, and more) can be found on the website https://smart-card.org.il.
[1] A payment card issued by the bank. These can be identified by whether they have the bank's logo on the card.
[2] A payment card issued by a credit card company, sometimes in conjunction with a consumer club. These cards feature the logo of the credit card company or of the consumer club, and do not have a bank logo on them.