Overview
- A staged rollout began on December 11 following pilots at Volksbank Stuttgart on December 3 and Berliner Volksbank on December 8, with additional institutes scheduled through January 15, 2026.
- Payments use a virtual Girocard inside the VR‑Banking‑App via NFC on iPhone, and users can set the app as the default wallet in iPhone settings for contactless transactions.
- Setup occurs in the app’s Cards menu by ordering a digital Girocard, choosing to reuse the physical card’s security number or request a separate PIN, then paying with a double‑press of the side button.
- Developed by Atruvia, the encrypted solution is TÜV‑tested, sends push notifications for transactions, enables ATM cash withdrawals and SB‑device functions, and does not support Apple Watch.
- The launch follows the EU Digital Markets Act ending Apple’s exclusive NFC access, positioning a bank‑operated option alongside earlier iPhone entrants such as PayPal and Curve.