Thales provides Jordan Kuwait Bank with biometric EMV cards

Thales has provided Jordan Kuwait Bank with the first biometric EMV cards in the region. Jordan Kuwait Bank (JKB) is receiving contactless biometric EMV bank cards from Thales, which will allow users to approve transactions using a built-in fingerprint scanner. Thales’ biometric cards, developed in collaboration with TESCO, are the region’s first commercialized cards and will enable ground-breaking EMV payment options across current contactless and Chip and PIN terminals as well as online.

JKB’s Mastercard World Elite customers will receive the biometric cards, which will allow them to enrol their fingerprints on the card without having to visit a bank. Without the typical payment constraints, the contactless payment experience is enhanced and completely secure. The fingerprint is compared in real time to the cardholder’s biometric data, which is securely kept in the card. Thales’ secure technology ensures that biometric data is securely kept on the card and that it cannot be accessed or used by unauthorised individuals.

The fully integrated card may be used at ATMs and for online shopping in addition to boosting contactless functionality. When a consumer presents the card, it is powered by the card terminal, and a green light on the card signals that the fingerprint has been properly matched. Cardholders are automatically validated through fingerprint recognition, eliminating the need to enter a PIN code at the point-of-sale terminal to validate a transaction.

“JKB is committed to offering its customers the latest and most innovative banking services and payment solutions. Driven by customers’ increased need for fully contactless payment options in response to the COVID pandemic, we are proud to launch the first contactless biometric EMV bank card in the region incorporating Thales’ advanced payment solutions, whereby the use of the finger print is more  convenient than the four digit PIN as well as safer being a fully contactless experience.” Suhail Salman, Head of Retail Business at JKB

“We have ensured that the built-in fingerprint scanners in the biometric EMV cards uses the latest pioneering technology to assure fast, contactless and secure transactions to JKB’s customers. Customer needs are fast evolving, and we aim to offer the most innovative, still secure, experiences to meet these needs and build a future we can all trust.” Nassir Ghrous, Senior Vice President, Banking and Payment Services for Southern Europe, Eurasia, Middle-East & Africa region at Thales