BY Fast Company SA < 1 MINUTE READ

MasterCard has developed a bank card that uses biometrics to verify a cardholder’s identity, and the testing period is happening right here in South Africa. Two separate trials have already been concluded at Pick n Pay and ABSA Bank.

The technology will enable customers to make payments in a face-to-face environment, using their fingerprints. “It’s not something that can be taken or replicated, and will help our cardholders get on with their lives, knowing their payments are protected,” says Ajay Bhalla, president of global enterprise risk and security at MasterCard.

The company says the next-generation biometric card will work at any Europay, MasterCard and Visa card terminal globally. Additional trials are being planned in Europe and Asia-Pacific in the coming months.