Bank allowing members to register using fingerprints

THE Women’s Micro Bank has launched a pilot project that will allow members to register using their fingerprints, says chairman Ricky Mitio.
He said the Mama-Bank Access Point pilot project would be tested in Port Moresby, Kwikila (Central), Kerema (Gulf), Madang, Goroka (EHP) and Maprik (East Sepik). Mitio said each access points would be managed by two staff. The staff will use biometric technology or fingerprint identification to record customers and verify transactions, he said.
Mitio said the bank would also use the project to drive the message of savings to its members.
“It is the aim of the bank to promote savings culture. We want our members to make savings as their first expenditure,” Mitio said.
He said there were 8000-plus active account users of the bank. With the project, they expect to have 20,000 active users.
The project is a partnership with the Pacific Financial Inclusion Program – a Pacific-wide programme that has helped low-income Pacific islanders gain access to financial services and financial education.
PFIP programme manager Bram Peters said the pilot project would use technology never been tested in the Pacific before.