Sberbank is piloting Russia’s first ATM that accepts smartphone payments instead of a physical card. The initiative was reported by TASS, citing remarks from Tatyana Galkina, Senior Vice President and Head of the Sberbank Sales Network block.
The experimental ATM enables cash withdrawal and deposits via a QR code generated in the Sberbank Online app.
Galkina described the setup as a device that stores money while projecting the user interface and the customer journey onto the shopper’s smartphone. He framed the project as an ongoing technological research effort, not yet a finished product.
According to the company, QR codes have already been integrated as an alternative to card use at ATMs. The shift is driven by a growing number of customers choosing not to carry physical bank cards. The decision to produce the new ATMs at scale will hinge on test outcomes and user feedback.
Officials note that the hardware cost of this ATM is about 15% lower, and maintenance costs are roughly 20% lower than those for conventional machines. The design eliminates elements such as the card reader and PIN keyboard, further cutting expenses.
In related news, Sber has previously started an educational initiative for aspiring entrepreneurs within the metaverse, marking another step in the bank’s exploration of digital ecosystems and new business models.