Just a few days ago I told you that BZ WBK was planning a press conference. I predicted that it might be focused on new mobile payment options that the bank wants to introduce for smartwatch users. It turns out I guessed correctly. BZ WBK has just announced that it is implementing Garmin Pay.

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Garmin Pay allows its user to make payments using a Garmin watch. The company’s first payment compatible smartwatch is the Vivoactive 3. To use the new feature, smartwatch owners who are BZ WBK customers and use a Mastercard card need to install the Garmin Connect Mobile app on their smartphone, which is available for both Android and iOS. Then they need to connect their watch to the app and add their cedit card information.

BZ WBK representatives underline the fact that the Vivoactive 3 has a pulse tracking feature, which means the device can recognize when it is taken off. If the watch stays on the owner's wrist after they enter their PIN number, they can pay without any additional authorization, regardless of the transaction amount, for 24 hours - all they need to do is hold their watch against the POS terminal. What is more, after pairing the device with a smartphone once, the user can make transactions without the need to have the phone with them.

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Garmin Pay is the fourth mobile payment method offered by BZ WBK. Earlier, the bank implemented Blik, HCE and Google Pay (formerly Android Pay). We have unofficial knowledge that it is one of just a few banks from Poland negotiating the introduction of Apple Pay in our country. BZ WBK refused to comment on that.