- Business
- Automatic Bank Services Limited Automatic Bank Services Ltd. (ABANF), also known as Shva, operates as Israel's national payment infrastructure provider, managing critical interbank switching networks for automated teller machines (ATMs), credit and debit card transaction approvals, clearing interfaces, and settlement systems between issuers, acquirers, and merchants. The company offers a comprehensive suite of products and services, including the Ashrait PC and Ashrait WEB software for point-of-sale credit card processing compliant with EMV standards; ATM switching services connecting networks of major banks such as Bank Leumi, Bank Hapoalim, and others to enable cross-bank cash withdrawals and balance inquiries; Shva Arena platform with advanced features like 3DSecure for online fraud prevention, Shva TOP for tap-on-phone mobile payments, Shva CLP for closed-loop payments including food cards, gift vouchers, and loyalty programs, and standing orders for recurring transactions; Shva Insights data-as-a-service for aggregated market and business financial analytics; terminal certification and testing for EMV and POS devices; and de-tokenization services for contactless club cards in collaboration with Mastercard. These solutions serve credit card companies including Isracard, Cal, Max, Tranzilla, Cardcom, and Upay; banks and non-bank ATM operators; payment service providers; merchants; and adjustment firms, primarily within Israel as a designated critical national infrastructure certified to PCI:DSS Level 1 standards.
Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Holon, Israel, the company maintains a single operating segment focused on transaction processing and payment technology, with no significant subsidiaries or parent relationships. In recent developments, Automatic Bank Services Limited expanded its Shva Arena and Ashrait capabilities in early 2024 by adding cloud-based transaction storage, back-office terminal management portals, and the first customer contracts for Shva Arena and Shva Insights services. The company initiated processes to onboard new participants, including 019 Payment Services Ltd. as an issuer in February 2024 and Rapyd for foreign entities in March 2024; secured regulatory approvals for ATM system integrations with ATMS Matrix Ltd. (joining July 2024), Smart Advanced ATM Services (January 2025), and Ofek Cooperative Credit Society; launched ATM accounting interfaces per Bank of Israel directives starting May 2023 for direct clearing via the Zahav system; and advanced de-tokenization for Mastercard-enabled club cards and enriched issuer data services, both slated for pilot rollout by mid-2024. These initiatives reflect strategic investments in technological enhancements, manpower growth, and market adaptations amid rising cashless transaction volumes, including a surge in digital wallet usage.