VTB joined the pilot program of the National Payment Card System to test biometric payments, enabling non cash purchases with facial recognition in cafes and retail outlets. The bank announced the development on the eve of Finopolis 2024, a forum dedicated to innovative financial technologies. This move marks a step toward weaving biometric verification into everyday shopping, aiming to speed up checkout and reduce the need for physical cards. The initiative fits into a broader push to modernize payments and expand secure access to financial services.
Initial biometric payment points from VTB are located in Moscow and Sochi, with one notable venue being a coffee shop in Moscow’s Presnensky district. Transactions are processed through updated POS terminals that support biometric verification, designed to deliver a smooth, touchless checkout experience for customers and merchants alike. The rollout is part of a phased approach to test reliability, speed, and user acceptance across different retail environments.
To pay by the contactless biometric method, customers must register their biometric data in the Unified Biometric System through the Government Services Biometrics mobile application, at bank branches, or at MFCs. Registration is presented as a one time setup that unlocks biometric payments across participating points of sale. Privacy safeguards and data protection measures accompany the process to reassure users about how their biometric information is stored and used.
At checkout, terminals located at the cash registers capture the customer’s biometric data using cameras and facial recognition technology. The captured data is transmitted to the commercial biometric system of the receiving bank for verification. When the data matches, the payment is debited from the customer’s account, and the transaction completes with no need for physical cards or cash. The system is designed with encryption and secure channels to protect data during transmission and processing.
Vadim Kulik, vice chairman and board chair of VTB, described biometric payments as a natural progression for domestic fintech. He noted that for the system to function effectively, both the customer and the sales point must be equipped to initiate and accept payments. He emphasized that biometric technology will shape the future of financial technology through coordinated efforts by users and merchants working together to enable seamless transactions.
Georgy Gorshkov, deputy chairman and board chair, stated that the biometrics service is expected to become end-to-end for receiving all kinds of services and goods. The vision includes using face-based identification in place of traditional documents and enabling face payments at points of sale, creating a more streamlined experience from start to finish. This indicates a move toward broader adoption of biometric authentication across everyday activities.
As an example, a person who forgets a phone and wallet at home could still ride public transportation, gain entry to the workplace, and purchase lunch and coffee with a single glance at the camera. Such scenarios illustrate how biometric payments could reduce friction in daily life while maintaining control over spending and access. The conversations around this technology focus on convenience, speed, and reliability in real-world settings.
Gorshkov stressed that an outsider cannot use a client’s funds, underscoring the security benefits associated with biometric authentication. The emphasis is on robust safeguards that prevent fraud and unauthorized access while enabling legitimate use of biometric credentials within the payment ecosystem.
Dmitry Dubynin, general director of the National Payment Card System, noted that NSPK is partnering with banks to scale the project and advance bioacquisition to a higher level. The collaboration aims to broaden the reach of biometric payments and integrate them more deeply into the payment infrastructure, bringing more merchants and consumers into a streamlined, biometric-based purchasing framework.