MasterCard has launched its MasterPass digital payment solution in Italy. The solution has already rolled out in the UK, US, Australia and Canada. eCommerce and mCommerce are popular in Italy, with 3.7m Italians making at least 10 online purchases a year, including 11 per cent via smartphones and 10 per cent via tablets.

Using MasterPass, having stored their name, card and shipping details when they sign up for the service, consumers no longer need to enter them at the checkout: they simply click or tap on the ‘Buy with MasterPass’ button and enter their password to complete the payment.

The new service is available to consumers initially through four Italian banks – Banca Generali, BNL Gruppo BNP Paribas and BPM. It will shortly be extended to customers of Italy’s other major banks. Over 3,500 Italian retailers so far signed up for MasterPass.

“MasterPass represents an important pillar of our multi-channel strategy”, said Iacopo De Francisco, chief commercial officer at BPM. “Payments are changing and we want to be among the protagonists of this change.”