Mizuho Bank will make automated-teller machine cards with integrated-circuit chips available in March for all customers to help prevent counterfeiting, bank officials said Monday.

The cards will also have an electronic money function.

The bank will ask its customers to replace their current cards, and is expected to charge them for the replacement, the officials said.

Mizuho Bank will install 1,200 ATMs compatible with the IC-based cards at its 600 branches by March, the officials said.

Mizuho customers hold 28 million regular savings accounts with the bank.