Biometric payments replace physical cards
TBC Georgia, a leading financial institution and part of the London-listed TBC Bank Group, is the first bank in Georgia to introduce palm payment technology. This biometric solution allows customers to make purchases at participating merchant locations. They can scan their palm to pay, which removes the need for a physical bank card or smartphone at the point of payment. To activate the service, customers must visit a location with a dedicated palm scanner for a one-time registration before they use TBC Georgia’s mobile bank to scan a QR code and select an account. I find the requirement to use the mobile app to link a specific account to the palm scan adds a mandatory step to the process. Once this registration is complete, customers make payments by scanning their palm at any participating partner location. The technology links a customer’s unique palm characteristics to a chosen bank account. This method provides a convenient alternative to traditional payment methods. The technology gains traction internationally as financial services providers and retailers explore ways to make transactions faster and simpler.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Technology | Biometric palm scanning |
| Required App | TBC Georgia mobile bank |
| Registration | One-time at scanner location |
| Payment methods | Palm scan, QR code |
| Availability | Participating merchant locations |
Digital expansion and global recognition
Sandro Rtveladze, the Director of Retail Business at TBC Georgia, says the bank has a long history of digital innovation in Georgia, which began with the country’s first internet banking services in 2001. He says the bank wants to "turn innovative ideas into practical solutions that improve the customer experience." This palm payment launch follows TBC Georgia’s recent partnership with American Express to expand card acceptance in physical stores and online. The agreement enables more merchants to accept American Express Cards. This expansion gives consumers greater payment flexibility and helps businesses reach more customers. In April 2026, Global Finance named TBC Georgia the Most Innovative Bank in Central and Eastern Europe, and the publication recognized the bank’s work in developing customer-focused digital financial services. I see these steps as part of a strategy to improve the payments ecosystem and increase choice for individuals and businesses. The bank aims to bring global financial technologies to Georgia to make everyday transactions faster and simpler. This initiative reflects TBC’s strategy to accelerate the adoption of innovative financial technologies across the country.
