Visa Launches Pilot Test of Biometric EMV Cards

Visa has initiated the first commercial test of an EMV dual-interface payment card with on-card biometric ID, according to a press release.

Tests will begin in early 2018 at the Bank of Cyprus and Mountain America Credit Union, as Visa seeks to assess the biometric technology and the cardholder experience in various retail environments.

The Bank of Cyprus will pilot test technology from Gemalto;  Mountain America Credit Union will test a product from Fingerprint Cards and Kona-I.

To use the card, the cardholder places his or her finger on the sensor, which compares the live fingerprint against a template of prints obtained during cardholder enrollment and securely stored on the card. If the prints match, the card an integrated light will flash green. If not, the light will flash red, the release said.

“The world is quickly moving toward a future that will be free of passwords, as consumers realize how biometric technologies can make their lives easier.

As electronic payments expand dramatically around the world, Visa is committed to developing and investing in emerging capabilities that deliver a better, more secure payment experience,” said Jack Forestell, head of global merchant solutions at Visa.