Societe Generale is trialling a payments card with a built in fingerprint reader that enables users to make contactless payments of any amount.

The biometric element eliminates the need for shoppers to enter a PIN, letting them tap and pay for any amount.

When a customer receives the card, they record their fingerprint themselves. Because the data is verified directly on the card, no element of it is transmitted to either the bank or merchant.

The card also functions normally for all contact-type payments in-store, on the internet and ATM withdrawals.

– Finextra –

Aeon Financial Services is teaming up with Fujitsu to trial a biometric system that lets Japanese shoppers pay for their groceries with their hands.

Aeon’s credit card unit is tapping Fujitsu’s palm vein biometric authentication technology for the pilot, which will involve Aeon staffers and begin in September at a number of Ministop convenience stores.

Customers who register for the service will add their palm vein pattern to their Aeon card information. Then, at the checkout they will enter their birthdate before holding their palm over a special reader.

Aeon says that it picked Fujitsu’s technology for its biometric test because palm vein authentication is both very accurate and, because it is contactless, sanitary.

The technology has been used at bank ATMs in Japan for more than a decade and has also been tapped for corporate PC access and room entry management.

– finextra.com –

Diebold Nixdorf is teaming up with MasterCard to pilot test two cash provision services — MasterCard Cash Pick-Up and Cardless ATM powered by MasterCard.

EMVCo, the global technical body that manages EMV specifications, has introduced a QR payment trademark designed to promote the global interoperability and use of EMV QR code payments.

South Africa’s FNB has become the nation’s first bank to roll out mini ATMs that validate users via thumbprint, according to a report by Business Tech.

FNB TouchPoint ATMs offer cash withdrawals, transfers and payments, and statement review. They also allow users to purchase mobile airtime and electricity, and perform card cancellations,.

“The TouchPoint validates a customer’s identity by scanning a fingerprint placed on the biometric reader and it can detect false fingerprints to prevent fraud, FNB points of presence CEO Lee-Anne van Zyl said in the report. “The identity of the customer is then verified with the Department of Home Affairs to ensure the self-service account opening complies with the relevant laws.”

“The introduction of biometric validation on self-service devices is an important step to making banking much more accessible to South African communities. As the use of biometric technology becomes more pervasive in the everyday life of customers, it’s important to use this technology to accelerate access to banking services.”

FNB intends to install 50 of the ATMs in branches and merchant locations in townships and rural communities over the next six months, the report said.

– Finextra –