TBC Bank Launches Georgia’s First Biometric Palm Payment Technology

TBC Georgia has launched palm payment technology, becoming the first bank in the country to introduce biometric palm scanning for retail transactions. For fintech professionals, this move signals the expansion of hardware-free biometrics into the Caucasus region, reducing reliance on physical cards and smartphones while streamlining the checkout experience for consumers and merchants alike.

What was announced

TBC Georgia, a subsidiary of the London-listed TBC Bank Group, announced the launch of its palm payment solution on 5 November 2026. The technology allows customers to complete purchases by scanning their palms at participating merchant locations. This biometric system removes the requirement for physical bank cards, smartphones, or cash at the point of sale, linking the customer’s unique palm characteristics directly to a designated bank account.

To use the service, customers must undergo a one-time registration process at a location equipped with a dedicated palm scanner. During this setup, users utilize TBC Georgia’s mobile banking application to scan a QR code and select the specific account they wish to link to their biometric profile. Once the registration is complete, the customer can make payments at any partner location by placing their hand over the scanner.

The launch follows TBC Georgia’s recognition in April 2026 as the Most Innovative Bank in Central and Eastern Europe by Global Finance. It also coincides with the bank’s efforts to broaden its payment ecosystem, including a recent agreement with American Express to increase card acceptance for both physical and online merchants across Georgia. This initiative is designed to provide consumers with greater payment flexibility while assisting businesses in reaching a wider customer base.

"At TBC, we have a long history of pioneering digital innovation in Georgia, from introducing the country's first internet banking services in 2001 to continuously expanding the range of convenient payment solutions available to our customers. With the introduction of palm payment, we are taking another step towards making everyday financial transactions simpler, faster, and more seamless. Our ambition is to bring the latest global financial technologies to Georgia and turn innovative ideas into practical solutions that improve the customer experience. Palm payment demonstrates how we continue to push the boundaries of digital banking and strengthen our position at the forefront of financial innovation in the region."

Sandro Rtveladze, Retail Business Director at TBC Georgia

The companies involved

TBC Georgia is a prominent financial institution in Georgia and a key component of the TBC Bank Group, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. The bank has established a reputation for being a first-mover in the Georgian digital landscape, having launched the country's first internet banking services over two decades ago in 2001. Its strategy focuses on the adoption of global financial technologies to enhance the domestic payments market and improve the overall customer experience.

The bank’s parent company, TBC Bank Group, oversees operations that have recently expanded through strategic international partnerships. One such partner is American Express, a global leader in payment services. This collaboration is designed to improve the infrastructure for American Express Card acceptance within Georgia, benefiting both local merchants and international cardholders. By integrating advanced biometric solutions like palm payments alongside traditional card network expansions, TBC Georgia maintains a dual-track approach to modernising the financial services sector in the Caucasus, catering to both high-tech biometric trends and established global payment standards.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has closely followed the recent strategic moves by TBC and its partners. We recently reported that TBC Bank and American Express Expand Card Acceptance Across Georgia, a move intended to provide greater flexibility for businesses and consumers.

American Express has been particularly active in expanding its global footprint and utility. We covered how American Express and NBA Expand Partnership Globally for Card Member Perks and the launch of an American Express and Airbnb Launch Exclusive Global Travel Rewards Partnership. Additionally, the company has been involved in retail-specific financial products, as seen when Albertsons Launches First Co-Brand Credit Card Powered by Imprint and American Express.

What this means

The introduction of palm payments in Georgia represents a significant shift in the biometric landscape, moving the point of authentication from a personal device to the merchant's terminal. This "device-free" approach challenges the dominance of mobile wallets by removing the need for any hardware on the consumer's person. While palm scanning offers clear advantages in speed and convenience, it places pressure on traditional card issuers to justify the physical form factor in a retail environment. The success of this rollout will likely hinge on merchant adoption rates and how effectively the industry addresses the heightened privacy concerns inherent in centralized biometric databases.