Bank of America will introduce card-free ATM access at 5,000 terminals nationwide in 2016. But that's not the FI's only news: The bank will also enable cardless ATM access via Android Pay, according to a press release.

At the Google IO conference this week, Michelle Moore, head of digital banking at Bank of America, and Pali Bhat, senior director of Android Pay, demonstrated ATM access using the Android Pay mobile wallet. The feature is set to go live this month alongside cardless access through the Bank of America mobile banking app.

Customers will be able to identify cardless-enabled ATMs by the contactless symbol near the card reader, the release said. To perform a transaction, the customer selects the Bank of America debit card in his digital wallet and then holds the smart device over the contactless card reader, activating the ATM.

From there, the customer follows the usual process to enter a PIN, select an account and initiate a withdrawal, transfer, or balance inquiry.

"Consumers are increasingly using their mobile devices to manage their daily lives, and we're committed to delivering solutions that give them convenient and secure options when it comes to managing their money," said Moore. "Now in addition to using digital wallets for purchases, customers can use them to get cash at the ATM." 

The bank will officially kick off its cardless rollout this month at 2,400 ATMs across the country. Not surprisingly, this will include the majority of ATMs in the San Francisco Bay and Silicon Valley areas. The remaining 2,600 ATMs will go live with the new capability throughout the year.

According to the release, Bank of America is the first FI to undertake a broad implementation of mobile wallet access. Earlier this year, the bank introduced the feature at a limited number of ATMs in Boston, Charlotte, New York City, San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

​According to Bank of America, 20 million customers now actively use its mobile banking app. During the first quarter of 2016, the bank saw a 50 percent year-over-year jump in account openings via mobile.