DNP in Conjunction with Chugoku Bank Develops Japan's First Application to Simplify Credit Card-Based Utilities Payments Using Smart Phones

Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP), in conjunction with Chugoku Bank, hasdeveloped an application that facilitates easy credit card-based utilities payments,and will commence offering the new service from January 2017.

By photographing the contract number, or customer number, listed on the electricity,water, or gas meter reading note, or payment receipt, with a smart phone, andmaking an application via this application it is possible to easily completecredit card-based payment procedures. This is the first service of its typein Japan.

[Background]

In recent years, the new financial service, referred to as FinTech, a combinationof finance and information technology, has seen a rapid popularization.

Amidst such developments, DNP operates various FinTech products targetingfinancial institutions, including an application that allows smart phone usersto open bank accounts in a simple fashion.

In this latest development, and as a new service that applies the know-howaccumulated through such achievements, DNP in conjunction with Chugoku Bank,has developed an application that facilitates easy credit card-based utilitiespayments.

Using this application will help simplify credit card-based utilities payments,at the same time as achieving increased efficiencies at service operators, includingfinancial institutions and utility companies.

[Service Summary and Features]

The application is booted then a photograph taken with the user's smart phoneof the contract number, or customer number, listed on the electricity, water,or gas meter, or payment receipt. Following this, the user's name, e-mail addressand credit card number are input, and once registration has been completed,it is possible to complete credit card-based utilities payments in a simplefashion.

The application boasts the following features:

• As it is unnecessary for the consumer to input their home address andtelephone number on the application form, it is possible to complete thenecessary formalities in a simple manner.
• Compared to instances where formalities are completed in writing andit is necessary for credit-card companies or financial institutions to assumepostage costs, applications made via the new application entail no postagecosts. There is also no time lag, unlike when using the postal services,and it is therefore possible to reduce the time from application to completionof formalities.
• New application functions help prevent input omissions during the applicationprocess, and compared to applications made in writing, it is possible toreduce manpower tasks, and help improve operational efficiencies.

[Looking Ahead]

DNP will enhance various FinTech-related services, including provision ofthe new application, aiming for sales of 400 million yen in the three-year periodto FY 2018.

* Product prices, specification and service contents mentioned in this newsrelease are current as of the date of publication. They may be changed at anytime without notice.