Would you use an app to withdraw cash without a bank card?

A bank in the U.K. has launched a new service that lets customers withdraw money from bank machines using a smartphone app instead of a bank card.

The secure code provided by the app works only for a limited time. (Royal Bank of Scotland)The Get Cash app for iPhone, Android and Blackberry, from the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), allows users to withdraw up to £100 from their accounts per visit.

To use the service, customers must simply open the app and enter the amount of cash they want. The app then provides a six-digit code to enter into an ATM to finalize the withdrawal.

Access to the app itself requires a password. The six-digit code remains hidden on the screen until the user taps it.

Customers can also text the numeric code to a friend who can withdraw the cash on their behalf.

The bank said the app would benefit customers who have forgotten or lost their bank cards, or those who have gone out without a wallet or purse but have their phones with them.

The app is free to use and works at more than 8,000 ATMs, the bank said. It hopes to widen the system to include purchases of up to £100 by the end of July.

Would you use such an app if it were available in Canada? What benefits or risks do you think might exist in using such a device? Let us know what you think.



(This survey is not scientific. Results are based on readers' responses.)