Debit Cards With a Built-In Fingerprint Reader

Natwest is trialing a new NFC payment card method with a built-in fingerprint scanner. Replacing the need for chip and pin as well as improving the tapping method used currently for payments small payments up to £30. This new experimental method will improve security by adding another barrier to counteract against fraud.

The fingerprint will be stored locally on the card which means there is no information stored on the central database however this method is not foolproof as thieves could find ways to steal and imitate your fingerprint. Although this method is more secure than the traditional pin and chip method as thieves could look over your shoulder to find out your pin to access your bank account.

Apple Pay, Google Pay and online banking apps use biometric authentication, which has become the standard for NFC mobile payments. However, currently users can set their fingerprint straight on their phone but Natwest requires customers to go to the bank first to assign their fingerprint to their card before they can use it.