Mastercard launches Biometric Checkout Program in Uruguay

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mastercard today announced the expansion of its global Biometric Checkout Program in Latin America (LAC). With partners Ingenico, Fulcrum Biometrics, Fujitsu Frontech, and Scanntech, Mastercard has launched an innovative in-store biometric payment experience at Tienda Inglesa’s Red Expres in Uruguay. This is the first Biometric Checkout Program pilot that allows shoppers to pay with their palm and the second pilot in the LAC region.

Red Expres shoppers can register their information, payment credential and biometric on-site and effortlessly pay for their goods by placing their hand over a sensor at the payment terminal. The Biometric Checkout Program allows for faster payment and shorter lines at checkout, and integrates with loyalty programs, leading to an enhanced and personalized customer experience.

“We are excited to expand our Biometric Checkout Program further into Latin America with the launch of our pilot program at Red Expres,” said Federico Cofman, Cluster Lead for Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, Mastercard. “Consumers are looking for more choice in how they pay, and thanks to our collaborative innovation, we can deliver more seamless, secure payment experiences.”

Mastercard’s Biometric Checkout Program represents a first-of-its-kind technology framework to establish standards for new ways to pay in-store. A cutting-edge payment system, developed by Ingenico and Fulcrum Biometrics, a Fujitsu company, enables pilot participants to register their palm biometrics and link it to any debit, prepaid or credit card, allowing them to seamlessly pay without a wallet or device.

“Palm is one of the most secure biometrics for identifying customers and enabling a smooth and seamless payment experience. It is faster than traditional chip and pin and offers several tangible advantages, including unmatched security. We are seeing a lot of interest from merchants in the solution that we have developed with Fulcrum Biometrics. Through the Mastercard Program, these global partnerships are set to transform payment experiences for more consumers,” said Arnaud Dubreuil, Director of Innovation, Ingenico.

“We believe that biometrics will create an easier and more secure environment for everyone around the world, in our ever-expanding digital society. I'm very happy to see our PalmSecure and Fulcrum Biometrics technology shaping Ingenico’s next generation of payment solutions through the Mastercard BCO program,” stated Takahiro Matsumura, Corporate Vice President of Fujitsu Frontech Limited and Global Head of PalmSecure Business.

"We are proud to be the first in Latin America to offer palm payments within Mastercard’s Biometric Checkout Program using cutting-edge technology. Innovation is in our DNA, and we always seek to provide our customers with the most practical and adapted ways to make their purchases with the utmost convenience," said Juan Manuel Parada, General Director of Tienda Inglesa Group.

Verónica Bustamante, General Manager of Scanntech, commented on the company's commitment to technological development and process simplification with maximum security. "Due to its high level of precision in identifying individuals, palm vein technology helps merchants reduce identity theft and payment card fraud, which cause significant losses. In this way, we continue to bring innovative solutions according to our customers' needs, helping them grow their business," she noted.

Launched in Spring 2022 in Brazil, Mastercard’s Biometric Checkout Program is set to transform in-store payments. Last year, Mastercard announced an expansion of the program to the Asia Pacific region. To continue to advance in-store biometrics, Mastercard will launch several biometric pilots later this year in countries across the globe.

About Ingenico

Ingenico is the global leader in payment acceptance and services. We support our customers, and their customers to do more with payments. Active in 37 countries, with over 3,500 employees we have been at the forefront of the commerce landscape for over four decades. With more than 40 million payment devices deployed worldwide, powered by over 2,500 apps, the company is servicing the needs of millions of consumers every day. Through our advanced integrated solutions and network of partnerships, we simplify the world of payments and bring value added services to move commerce forward.

About Fujitsu

Fujitsu’s purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers in over 100 countries, our 124,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key technologies: Computing, Networks, AI, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.7 trillion yen (US$26 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, and remains the top digital services company in Japan by market share. Find out more: www.fujitsu.com.

About Scanntech

Scanntech was founded in Uruguay, expanded into Latin America with over 2,300 employees, process more than 10 billion transactions annually and now leads the way across all the countries where it operates. The Company arrived in Brazil in 2013 and grew rapidly. Now 8 out of every 10 top retailers and more than 150 major manufacturers use its service with the largest ticket coverage with more than USD 150 billions per year. Scanntech has revolutionized the way market information is used: by going from clustered and expanded information to see trends, Scanntech has designed a swift and actionable granular intelligence platform through which the best opportunities to boost retailers’ and manufacturers’ results and bring business partners closer. Scanntech’s intelligence model is possible only because our base provides the most comprehensive coverage of Brazilian retailers and information from more than 45,000 points of sale – ticket by ticket, item by item, which ensures actionable, robust and accurate information, algorithms and artificial intelligence.

About Tienda Inglesa Group / Red Expres

With over 150 years of history in the Uruguayan market, Tienda Inglesa Group in the recent years has created a vast network of supermarket chain identified as Red Expres. This network comprises over 60 branches spread across Montevideo, Canelones, Maldonado, San José, Soriano, and Río Negro, aiming to offer its customers a quality assortment at excellent prices. Located in key points throughout the country, the chain is as close as possible to its customers and adds its proposal to the 19 branches that Tienda Inglesa Group has in Montevideo, Canelones, and Maldonado. Tienda Inglesa Group confirms its growth vocation, as it has become the leading eCommerce chain in addition to its physical stores, allowing its customers to make direct purchases from its website and app with deliveries nationwide.

About Mastercard (NYSE: MA)

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.