la Caixa launches its digital wallet, CaixaWallet, a new universal payment system for online purchases

• "la Caixa" becomes the first bank in Spain to operate in the "digital wallets" sector.
• The CaixaWallet reinforces "la Caixa"'s leading position in e-commerce, where it represents 15% of total customer purchases.
• More than 3 million "la Caixa" customers made online purchases in 2011.

"la Caixa" has launched CaixaWallet, a new payment method for online purchases. CaixaWallet allows customers to make purchases online using any of their cards or accounts, without having to enter any card or account information.

CaixaWallet is the first "digital wallet" service from a Spanish bank and has been launched ahead of other global brands that have their own digital wallets. This represents "la Caixa"'s first venture into the "digital wallet" sector, an area of rapid innovation and strong potential thanks to its compatibility with other contactless payment methods and smartphones.

Customers can register for CaixaWallet via Línea Abierta, the "la Caixa" online banking website. The service is completely free of charge.

A service available from any device with an Internet connection

The CaixaWallet service has its own separate section in the "la Caixa" Línea Abierta online banking website, and is available to users 24 hours a day via any device with Internet connection.

Customers can:

• Enter basic payment method information (cards issued by any bank and bank accounts). CaixaWallet also allows users to store ID cards and loyalty cards, helping to keep all information in one place and protected by the "la Caixa" security guarantee.

• Associate CaixaWallet with a credit/debit card or current account. Therefore, when users wish to make a purchase, they simply enter their CaixaWallet number instead of their usual credit/debit card or bank account number. This means safeguarding customers' card and account details.

"la Caixa", leader in e-commerce

The CaixaWallet reinforces "la Caixa"'s leading position in the e-commerce sector and innovation, with the bank representing 15% of total customer purchases.

More than 3 million "la Caixa" customers made internet purchases in 2011.

"la Caixa"'s solid position in e-commerce is based on its leadership in e-banking and innovation in general. It currently handles 10.5 million cards, a network of 5,000 multi-service ATMs, including machines featuring the world's first contactless readers; more than 6 million online banking customers and more than 2.2 million mobile banking customers.

Furthermore, "la Caixa" was the first Spanish bank to offer its customers the new contactless payment system, using NFC cards or mobile devices. The bank was also recently awarded the prize for the world's most innovative bank at the Banking Innovation Awards, run by the Bank Administration Institute and Finacle.