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NFC TIMES Exclusive Insight – Dutch bank ABN Amro plans to put its Mastercard-branded debit cards onto passive wearable devices, such as rings, bracelets and an analog watch from a major watchmaker, after the devices are in the hands of consumers.

NFC Times Exclusive – More than two-thirds of users of the ING Bank’s HCE-based mobile payments service in the Netherlands opt for no PIN entry and prefer to tap their phones for very low-value amounts, according to bank, which launched one of the first HCE mobile payments services in Western Europe in late November. 

NFC Times Exclusive: Whereas three years ago, major banks and telcos in the Netherlands looked like they would move forward together on NFC mobile payments, with plans to form a first-of-its kind joint venture, the situation today promises to be much different.

The three major banks in the Netherlands, ING, ABN AMRO and Rabobank, have formed a temporary group to launch a large NFC trial in the Dutch city of Leiden with mobile operator KPN.

Dutch mobile operators and banks have decided not to form a joint venture to roll out NFC services together, saying “developments in the market” were responsible for ending the deal that was nearly three years in the making.

Major mobile operators and banks in the Netherlands say they plan to launch their NFC mobile-payment project in early 2013 as they await approval from European regulators for their planned joint venture.

Dutch operators and banks plan to launch NFC services in the second or third quarter of 2012, probably starting in a small city followed by a nationwide launch weeks later, Peter Van Leeuwen, strategy and business development manager for mobile operator KPN, reportedly said.

The three largest banks and three largest mobile operators in the Netherlands today announced their intention to form a joint venture to launch mobile payment, using full NFC phones.