First commercial biometric credit card in Switzerland issued through FPC, Gemalto, Visa partnership

Swiss Corner Bank has launched a biometric credit card in partnership with Visa, Gemalto and Fingerprint Cards, which is the first limited commercial launch of its kind, according to an announcement from FPC.

The new Cornèrcard Biometric Gold Visa is produced by Gemalto with Fingerprint Cards’ T-Shape sensor module and software platform. The limited-edition card will be issued to 100 Swiss Corner Bank customers, giving them the ability to make contactless payments with no amount cap.

The card features an integrated LED which indicates a successful biometric match. Customers will be required to enter their PIN code for the first transaction, and thereafter only in special circumstances, or if the fingerprint is not recognized.

“At Visa, we are constantly investing in innovation to make payment easier, more convenient and safer. That’s why we are very happy to launch a Visa card with fingerprint sensor in collaboration with our long-standing partner, Cornèrcard,” summarizes Jörg Metzelaers, Switzerland country manager for Visa. “With Cornèrcard’s Visa biometric card, we are marking a turning point in the Swiss payments world. Consumers are becoming more comfortable with new forms of biometric authentication and recognize that they make their lives easier.”

Fingerprint data is stored on a secure chip on the card, and is not accessible in the case of loss or theft.

“We are proud to offer this exclusive innovation to our customers in Switzerland. By simply touching the card, the payment process is done quickly and securely,” comments Cornercard Director Davide Rigamonti. “The biometric payment card not only has a special appearance. It also provides a special payment experience and fits perfectly into the day-to-day lives of the modern consumer.”

Goode Intelligence has forecasted some 579 million biometric payment cards will be used globally by 2023, and Gemalto Director of Biometrics Fred Martinez told Biometric Update earlier this year that his company is prioritizing the quality of its payment card pilots, rather than the quantity.

Article Topics

biometric cards  |  biometric payments  |  biometrics  |  Fingerprint Cards  |  fingerprint sensors  |  Gemalto  |  Visa