Eastern Bank PLC. (EBL), headquartered in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh and a market leader in corporate, retail and SME banking, is set to launch the world’s first biometric metal card, powered by the IDEX Biometrics Mastercard certified technology, IDEX Pay. EBL customers will have the biometric metal cards in their hands by early 2024.

A digital innovator bank in Bangladesh, EBL is consistently providing high-quality banking services and cutting-edge financial solutions to its customers. EBL is a significant contributor to the government initiative ‘Smart Bangladesh’, a driving force behind inclusive and multifaceted digital economic development. Bangladesh with its 170 million population has an excellent track record of growth and development. A robust demographic dividend, resilient remittance inflows, and stable macroeconomic conditions have supported rapid economic growth over the past two decades. Bangladesh’s anticipated GDP growth for 2024 is 6%, outpacing its neighbours like India, Indonesia, and Philippines, as well as the global average of 2.9%.

EBL’s premium segment will be the first to benefit from this new contactless card. The biometric metal card offers the highest level of security and a seamless payment experience, making it an ideal choice for customers seeking distinctive and exclusive payment solutions that align with their dynamic and tech-savvy lifestyles. This innovative solution is expected to increase card usage among their existing premium customer base.

“We are excited to introduce biometric metal cards to our customers, complying with all regulatory requirements in Bangladesh and being the first to offer this latest technology, confirming our leadership and innovation positioning” says Ali Reza Iftekhar, Managing Director & CEO at EBL, adding that “The IDEX Biometrics solution provides a first-class payment experience. We believe biometric payment cards will become the new payment standard, supporting secure contactless payments, and ultimately bringing financial empowerment to all.”

“We are honoured that EBL has selected IDEX Biometrics as they pioneer biometric payments in Bangladesh. EBL’s premium customers will be the first group to receive these new contactless cards, as EBL again takes the lead on driving seamless payments across Bangladesh and Asia” says Catharina Eklof, Chief Commercial Officer at IDEX Biometrics.