Is Singapore Ready for Biometric Payment Cards?
Zwipe, a biometric fintech pioneer, conducted a comprehensive consumer investigation in Singapore during Q4 2021 to study 150+ consumers’ payment preferences and feedback on biometric payment cards. Consumers’ feedback on biometric payment cards was extremely positive, indicating a strong demand for biometric payment cards.
Below are some interesting facts from the survey: 88 per cent of consumers would prefer their next payment card to be biometric, 70 per cent of consumers are ready to switch to a new bank for a safer way to pay and 80 per cent of consumers have concerns on the risk of infection when paying in-store and touching the POS
The survey’s findings are consistent with data available from other worldwide studies undertaken in the Nordics, Canada, USA, UK, Germany and South Africa. Consumers across the world, just as in Singapore, want a payment solution that delivers world-class security and user experience and ensures 100 per cent touch-less check out at all times.
Founded in 2009 with the mission to make “convenience safe and secure” through the use of biometric technologies, Zwipe has today emerged as a pioneer in nextgen payment solutions. The company believes that the inherent uniqueness of every person is the key to a safer future. Zwipe works across networks of international organizations, industries and cultures to bring biometric payment solutions globally.
Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, Zwipe’s growing team is represented by 14 different nationalities in nine countries across five time zones – from Colorado Springs to Singapore.
According to Claus Hansen, Zwipe’s newly appointed VP of Sales for APAC, “The payments market in Singapore is mature and sophisticated, with banks and fintechs offering highly digital services for retail, e-commerce and mobile financial services. The more-traditional smart card segment is the area where Singaporean consumers are now expecting card issuers to step up. The Zwipe Pay platform, which includes a single silicon biometric system on the card, is a game-changer in the payments sector as it has dramatically reduced the unit costs and improved the biometric performance ensuring an excellent user experience.”
He further highlights, “Consumers value convenience, security, and safety when selecting and using a payment method. As such, Zwipe is well-positioned to provide cutting-edge card-based solutions that enable our clients in APAC to respond to market demands, while also establishing ourselves as the strategic technology partner of choice.”
Hansen has worked in payment technologies, cybersecurity, fintech, and smart cards for over 25 years. In the APAC region, he has held senior executive management positions with Entrust, NXP Semiconductors, Gemalto, dzcard, and Kona I.