NatWest prepares biometric card pilot
NatWest is piloting biometric fingerprint technology-enabled cards with 200 customers, due to begin in the coming weeks, in partnership with Gemalto.
“Using a fingerprint rather than a PIN code to authorise transactions has many advantages”
Along with digital security company Gemalto, the bank is working with Visa and Mastercard to bring the service to customers in the UK.
David Crawford, head of effortless payments, says: “This is the biggest development in card technology in recent years and we are excited to trial the service.”
Customers will use their fingerprint to verify transactions over £30, “increasing security and making it easier for customers” when paying for goods or services at the tills as no PIN is required.
“Using a fingerprint rather than a PIN code to authorise transactions has many advantages, primarily enhanced security and greater convenience,” says Howard Berg, UK MD of Gemalto. “Cardholders can pay quickly and easily with just a simple touch, and they no longer need to worry about the limit on contactless payment transactions.”
More details on the pilot are set to be released in the coming weeks.
Gemalto provides card issuing solutions for firms, including Entrust Datacard
Last September, Gemalto partnered with R3 to launch the Gemalto Trust ID Network, which allows users to create their own digital identity, and carry it over to digital service providers.
