Texas-based American National Bank and Guaranty Bond Bank have partnered with Bling Nation, a provider of mobile payments services, to offer 'tap-and-pay' system for purchases at the point of sale to the customers.

Customers with a checking account at either bank can sign up for a BlingTag, a quarter-sized microchip sticker that adheres to the back of the mobile phone to enable debit transactions directly from the account.

Each time a purchase is made using a BlingTag, the consumer receives a transaction confirmation and account balance by text message.

BlingTag does not store any personal information that helps in reducing the traditional risk of identity theft and fraud against traditional plastic cards usage.

Guaranty Bond Bank executive vice president Martin Bell said, “We selected Bling Nation because they offer a win-win-win product – banks and merchants win by reducing costs, consumers win by accumulating rewards each time they use their BlingTags, and community wins when more money is spent locally.”

“We are extremely pleased with the growth and high customer acceptance of Bling Nation as well as the positive feedback from our business customers,” Bell said.

Bling Nation founder and co-CEO, Meyer Malka, said that by working together to bring Bling Nation and tap-and-pay at the point of sale to Mt Pleasant, American National Bank and Guaranty Bond Bank have paved the way for quick and measurable mobile payments success.”