Steinbach Credit Union has become the first credit union in Manitoba to enable you to use your cell phone as a debit card. SCU members will be able to make purchases securely and directly from their savings or chequing accounts, at any retailer displaying the INTERAC Flash® logo across Canada.

Andy Alguire, Vice-President of Information and Technology at SCU, says when making a purchase, members can now bring up their SCU app, select the mobile pay option and then tap the debit machine.

"So they are able to use their mobile device in order to buy things just by tapping their smart phone at the point of sale device and executing that secure transaction. The transaction technology, the actual bits that flowing through the air, don't contain any financial information so that there is no member information that is actually exposed."

Celina Philpot, Executive Vice-President of Member Engagement and Branding, says the service is currently available only on android phones but they are working on an app for iPhones. She adds the mobile pay option is for debit only but they plan to include a credit option in the future.

Chief Executive Officer Glenn Friesen says, "Integrating technology and creating banking solutions is something we’ve always strived for at SCU. This is an award winning, innovative payment solution and we are very proud to be offering it to our members."