Thumbprint ATMs May Boost Bank Access

Thumbprint ATMs, unveiled this month by Citibank in India, could also work in other parts of the world, including Latin America. “We are looking at how biometrics can be used more broadly as a way to provide lower income individuals access to banking services”, Robert Annibale, the Global Director of Citigroup’s Microfinance Group told LatinFinance. The new ATMs aid illiterate customers and have multiple language capabilities as well as voice navigation for balance inquiry, deposits and withdrawals. In India, the bank has set up a program, “Citibank Pragati” for microfinance customers, to try and increase participation in the banking system. Biometric ATMs are located at the bank’s partner microfinance institution’s offices and other areas near prospective customers.