Bank Of America Begins Testing NFC-Based Mobile Wallet Payment System

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While some may be paying more attention to NFC capable smartphones, due in part to the Nexus S which arrived sporting built-in support, it looks like Bank of America is going to be doing some real world testing of an NFC payment system which they have dubbed Mobile Wallet.

The details are still coming to light at this point and from what we have seen thus far, it appears as if the you need an invitation to participate. Well, that and a BlackBerry smartphone. According to the details, Bank of America has begun the process of looking for those willing to participate in the program.

As for using Mobile Wallet, that requires you to have either a Curve 8520 or 8530, a Bold 9000, 9650 or 9700 or a Tour 9630. And assuming you have one of those handsets you will need to be able to download and install the required applications. Furthermore, and this one seems like it should be able to go without being said, but you also need an active Bank of America personal Visa debit card or MasterCard credit card.

Otherwise, those sporting a required handset and having been both invited and willing to participate will then be given a welcome kit which contains a microSD card and “replacement phone back cover equipped with a special antenna.” Plus, the welcome kit will also include a complete set of directions to get everything set up and running.

With that, they are also asking that you use the Mobile Wallet system “as much as possible.” In other words, it seems like they would live you to leave your wallet at home and pay with your BlackBerry anywhere and everywhere that accepts PayPass.

Lastly, while this looks like a nice setup, I am having a hard time controlling my jealousy and hope that Bank of America rolls this out to other smartphones in the future. Well, that and that Apple offers NFC support in the next iPhone, which will hopefully be on Verizon. But that is not asking all that much, right?