Citibank Singapore is using fingerprint authentication technology from San Francisco-based Pay By Touch to launch a cardless payment service for credit card transactions.
Holders of the Citibank Clear Platinum card in Singapore are being invited to enroll for the biometric credit card service which will enable them to use a finger-print scanning system to pay for purchases rather than their card.
Enrollment requires a photo ID and a secure finger scan. Cardholders also create a seven-digit PIN which is used to verify transactions.
Citibank claims the service is "world's first cardless biometric payment service". Customers will be able to initiate transactions at retail outlets across Singapore, including music and IT stores, clubs, restaurants and cinemas.
Jonathan Larsen, CEO and country business manager, Citibank Singapore, says: "This is the ultimate in convenience - the ability to make credit card transactions with just a finger scan."
John Rogers, founder, chairman and CEO, Pay By Touch, says the biometric credit card service "sets a new standard for speed, convenience and security".
"Together, we have eliminated the need for cardholders to present their credit cards when paying for purchases," says Rogers. "Instead, they simply press their finger to a biometric scanner and, in seconds, their transaction is complete."