Kuwait International Bank launches Biometric Visa Card in Kuwait

By Leandra Monteiro

Kuwait International Bank (KIB) announced the launch of its Biometric Visa Card, which uses the customer’s fingerprint to authorize POS transactions.

The new offering will allow Visa Infinite cardholders to enroll their fingerprints on their biometric cards easily instead of requiring a PIN. The next-generation biometric card is based on Zwipe’s platform and dedicated to KIB’s Black Banking segment of customers, in line with the Bank’s digital transformational journey and ongoing efforts to provide its customers with digitally enhanced services and solutions.

Deema Al Mulaifi, Assistant General Manager of Operations at Kuwait International Bank said, “We are pleased to announce that our Black Banking segment customers can now enjoy innovative technology through the new Biometric Visa Card, which is designed to provide convenience and ease of access, with a high level of security against fraud attempts. The Biometric Card feature has the potential to provide our customers with a new method that adds value to their lifestyle, as they can request the Visa Infinite card and activate the fingerprint to make POS transactions with great ease. In addition to this secure and simple payment solution, which is in line with the Bank’s new authentication system, the Bank’s Black Banking segment customers enjoy a range of other premium banking benefits and exclusive rewards.”

Shashank Singh, Visa’s Vice President and General Manager for Kuwait and Qatar said, “Visa is committed to developing and investing in emerging capabilities such as biometrics for the benefit of consumers. That’s why we’re delighted to partner with KIB and Zwipe in bringing this innovative biometric card to consumers in Kuwait who can now enjoy a seamless, secure payment experience.”

Ramzi Saboury, General Manager for Zwipe for the MEA Region said, “We are proud and honored that the latest generatoin biometric card product from Zwipe is commercially launched in Kuwait by KIB, taking the lead globally in this initiative. We appreciate the trust in our technology and product that KIB has expressed to reach this milestone. Visa has been a key player since we started the certification process years ago all the way to going live today with the product ensuring the best users’ experience and high levels of security and data privacy in the newly revealed Zwipe Pay Card product.”