Polish ATM shared network Planet Cash is installing nearly 2000 machines equipped with finger vein technology, enabling users to withdraw cash without a card.
Planet Cash parent ITCard has contracted with Hitachi Europe for the implementation of the latter's biometric finger vein readers at 1730 Wincor Nixdorf and Diebold ATMs around Poland.
The readers will be introduced this year, enabling customers of participating banks to withdraw cash and perform other operations using their finger, without use of a card and PIN.
ITCard says that "a number of top commercial banks are very interested in joining the biometric scheme".
Biometrics has been taken up enthusiastically by the Polish banking industry. Getin Bank and Bank BPH both use finger vein tech in branch, while several cooperative banks tap it for ATM withdrawals.
Tadeusz Woszczyński, regional manager, Central Eastern Europe, information systems group, Hitachi Europe, says: "The Planet Cash project is the biggest step so far for ATMs in Europe that utilises Finger Vein technology to create a new standard for secure, quick and convenient banking transactions for society."