Bangladesh’s EBL launches biometric metal card with IDEX Biometrics

By Gloria Mathias

Eastern Bank PLC. (EBL), headquartered in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, and offering corporate, retail, and SME banking solutions, has launched a biometric metal card powered by the IDEX Biometrics Mastercard certified technology, IDEX Pay.

EBL customers will have the biometric metal cards for usage by early 2024. EBL, a digital bank in Bangladesh, is consistently providing banking services and financial solutions to its customers.

EBL is a significant contributor to the government initiative ‘Smart Bangladesh’, a driving force behind inclusive and multifaceted digital economic development. Bangladesh, with its 170 million population, has a track record of growth and development. Bangladesh’s anticipated GDP growth for 2024 is 6%, outpacing its neighbours like India, Indonesia, and the Philippines, as well as the global average of 2.9%.

EBL’s premium segment will benefit from this new contactless card. The biometric metal card offers a level of security and a seamless payment experience for customers seeking distinctive and exclusive payment solutions that align with their dynamic and tech-savvy lifestyles. This solution is expected to increase card usage among their existing premium customer base.

“We are excited to introduce biometric metal cards to our customers, complying with all regulatory requirements in Bangladesh and being the first to offer this latest technology, confirming our leadership and innovation positioning,” said Ali Reza Iftekhar, Managing Director & CEO at EBL. “The IDEX Biometrics solution provides a first-class payment experience. We believe biometric payment cards will become the new payment standard, supporting secure contactless payments and ultimately bringing financial empowerment to all.”

“We are honoured that EBL has selected IDEX Biometrics as they pioneer biometric payments in Bangladesh. EBL’s premium customers will be the first group to receive these new contactless cards, as EBL again takes the lead in driving seamless payments across Bangladesh and Asia,” shared Catharina Eklof, Chief Commercial Officer at IDEX Biometrics.