According to media reports, the British Natwest Bank is trying to use the new NFC payment card with built-in fingerprint scanner.
The trial will begin around mid-April and will involve 200 customers, allowing participants to make NFC (contactless) payments without having to enter a password or provide a signature.

Currently, in the UK, anyone can make contactless payments by swiping the card at the terminal. Due to the lack of security, such payments are limited to less than £30, and retailers require customers to place the card in a card reader and enter a password for purchasing more expensive items. Although mobile payments require certification, customers often find that they are also subject to a £30 limit.

Fingerprint data is stored on a local card, which means that hackers cannot steal relevant security information from the bank's central database. Although this method is not foolproof, a thoughtful thief has a way to steal and imitate your fingerprints, but it is safer than others when you lose your password when you just look at it from your shoulder. Much more.

Biometrics has become a standard part of NFC mobile payments, but despite the credit card trials since 2015, it has not been able to find a home on traditional savings bank cards.

The company behind the card biometrics conducted a test in South Africa in 2017 and conducted a test at the Union Bank of Sao Paulo in Italy last year. However, these cards usually require the user to use it at the bank, not anytime, anywhere. (Like mobile payment services).

The NatWest trial did not solve the problem, and the participants in the trial had to go to their bank branch. A video produced by Gemalto said the company hopes that future versions of the fingerprinting system will allow customers to register their fingerprints with their mobile phones.

The need to carry a separate bank card and all kinds of inconveniences raises the question: Since modern smartphones with fingerprint recognition and facial scanning have mobile payment capabilities, is it necessary to have a biometric card?

Since the bank card is free and has a qualified bank account, this program can be used by anyone who can't afford a modern smartphone.