Kotak Mahindra Bank today announced that its VISA debit and credit cardholders can now make payments via the Google Pay mobile app.

Using a process called tokenisation that hides sensitive card information, Kotak customers can now link their debit and/or credit card to Google Pay and then seamlessly transact using their mobile phones across different payment platforms.

"Not only is this process highly secure, but also very convenient as cardholders now do not need to enter their card information for every transaction, transforming the end-user experience," the bank said in a release.

Kotak customers can now use their Kotak VISA debit and/or credit cards to make payments virtually via Google Pay. Sensitive card information such as the card number, expiry date, CVV etc. is replaced with a 'token', and this token gets used for processing payments via Google Pay.

Said Kotak Mahindra Bank group president of consumer banking Shanti Ekambaram, "Customer convenience, ease-of-use and, most significantly, enhanced security for our customers are the key hallmarks of Kotak's collaboration with Google Pay. Now, Kotak customers need not carry their debit or credit cards while going out for shopping or enter sensitive card details for every online transaction, resulting in a smooth and highly secure payment experience for our customers."

Added Sajith Sivanandan, business head, Google Pay and Next Billion Users Initiatives, Google India, "We're delighted to be collaborating with Kotak Mahindra Bank in bringing Indian users the highest standards of security with global standards like tokenisation and remain committed to furthering the cause of making payments more secure, convenient and effortless. We look forward to continuing to partner closely with Kotak Mahindra Bank in the years ahead towards this."

Kotak debit and credit cardholders can make merchant payments at nearby stores using Tap and Pay, in-app payments and ecommerce payments as well as scan and pay on Google Pay:

Tap and Pay at any NFC-enabled terminal (will have a WiFi symbol): Unlock the phone and hold it near the point of sale machine until a success check mark is seen on Google Pay. This mode of payment has been enabled for payments under Rs 2,000.

In App Payment using OTP: Using an OTP, customers can make transactions within Google Pay (mobile recharges, bill payments etc.) as well as on merchant websites directly by selecting the Google Pay option on the checkout/payments page

Scan and Pay with Bharat QR: Wherever Bharat QR is accepted, make payment by scanning the QR code using the scanner on Google Pay, and complete the payment with an OTP.

As per Indian regulations, the tokenised card data is locally stored in India by VISA. Google Pay does not store any sensitive card information either on the device or on its server, the release clarified.

The facility is available on all Android NFC-enabled mobile devices. Kotak had earlier enabled tokenisation through Samsung Pay for Kotak debit and credit cardholders.