TBC Georgia launches palm-based biometric payments

By Divya Shah

Why it matters: Biometric payments introduce another way to authenticate transactions, potentially reducing reliance on cards and phones while expanding merchant payment options.

TBC Georgia, a financial institution and part of the London-listed TBC Bank Group, has launched palm-based payments, becoming the first bank in Georgia to introduce biometric payment technology.

The service allows customers to make purchases at participating merchant locations by scanning their palms. It links a customer’s unique palm characteristics to their chosen bank account, enabling payments without a physical bank card, smartphone or cash at the point of sale.

To activate the service, customers must complete a one-time registration at a location equipped with a dedicated palm scanner. They then use TBC Georgia’s mobile banking app to scan a QR code and select the bank account they want to link to their palm. Once registered, they can pay by scanning their palm at participating locations.

Sandro Rtveladze, Retail Business Director at TBC Georgia, said the launch was intended to make everyday transactions simpler and faster. He added that the technology reflected the bank’s efforts to expand its digital banking services and introduce new payment options.

The launch followed TBC Georgia’s recent announcement of a partnership with American Express to expand card acceptance across the country. Under the agreement, more merchants will be able to accept American Express cards in physical stores and online.

The two initiatives form part of TBC Georgia’s broader strategy to expand payment options for consumers and businesses and encourage the adoption of new financial technologies.

By introducing palm-based payments, TBC Georgia added a biometric option to its existing payment services, allowing customers to complete transactions without presenting a card or using a mobile device at the checkout.