Banking
Interswitch Introduces Advanced Biometrics Features on POS, ATMs
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
In keeping with the times and in a bid to reduce fraud and avail customers of more reliable digital payment and transaction solutions, Interswitch is set to launch a new product that integrates biometrics on Point-of-Sale (PoS) terminals and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) across multiple acquirers and merchants.
While this solution exists in silos in the Nigeria market, the Interswitch effort, birthed in collaboration with SterlingPRO, which serves as the strategic partner, will be the first and only effort yet to integrate the biometrics solution across ATMs and PoS portals, cutting across multiple issuers, acquirers, and merchants.
One thing worthy of note is that biometrics does not only guarantee an increased level of safety but is also easy to use and saves a lot of time. The biometrics feature also removes the worry of forgetting one’s password or the bother of having to change it regularly.
It is no longer news that fraudsters have continued to devise newer, more intricate schemes and tactics in a bid to obtain private data, such as passwords and Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) and defraud their unsuspecting victims. Sadly, many innocent individuals have fallen victim to these fraudsters even as the trend continues to worsen by the day.
In view of the growing electronic fraud across the world, discerning customers are looking for a more secure and efficient alternative to protect their funds and assets as an improvement on the level of security provided by passwords and PINs.
Technology experts believe that biometrics authentication is the solution to curbing fraud because of its more advanced security and safety levels.
“Biometrics is changing the payment landscape and will shape the future of digital identification. Therefore, we are set to introduce the biometrics feature on PoS & ATMs to the market.
“We are excited about the introduction of this solution because we are confident that on successful activation of the solution across the market, Nigerian cardholders can easily transact without the fear of their accounts being compromised,” the Managing Director, Payment Processing & Switching (Interswitch Purepay), Mr Akeem Lawal, stated.
He assured that the firm will continue to design products leveraging cutting-edge technology that will constantly enhance payment security as it unlocks new frontiers and sets the pace for the rest of the African tech ecosystem.
Biometrics promises to further help drive the growth of the economy. According to Statista, the global digital identity solution market that biometrics is part of is expected to grow from $23.3 billion in 2020 to $49.5 billion in 2026.
In addition to the biometrics solution, Interswitch will be expanding the card personalization and instant issuance offering across the Nigerian payment ecosystem, a solution that is a win-win for both financial institutions and customers.
The customers get to personalize their cards with instant access, the banks /issuers can enhance their customer experience by reducing their wait time, managing their card portfolio more efficiently and enhancing the security of the cards through the shortened issuance process.
However, while the technology company is making a marked effort to ensure our data, information and funds are secure, it is also important that cardholders are conscious of the existence of these fraudsters and continue to take precautionary measures to avoid vulnerability.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The international spending limit on the GTBank Naira card has now been increased to $20,000 per quarter, a notice from the financial institution disclosed.
In an email message to customers sighted by Business Post on Tuesday, the lender said the Dollar limit is applicable to POS and online transactions carried out with the debit card.
The increase in the spending limit on the GTBank Naira card for offshore transactions comes as Nigeria continue to experience stability in the foreign exchange (FX) market.
A few years ago, Nigerians were unable to use their Naira cards to conduct financial transactions online for operations outside the country. This frustrated many consumers, who could not buy things online from other jurisdictions.
However, after some forex reforms by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the leadership of Governor Yemi Cardoso, these restrictions were removed.
“The Dollar limit on your GTBank Naira Card is now $20,000 quarterly,” the notice read.
The increase in the spending limit to $20,000 per quarter will give GTBank Naira cardholders an opportunity to make more transactions online with ease, as before now, it was pegged at $15,000.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A new product known as Asset Financing Solution, tailored for those in the Nigerian transportation and logistics sector, has been introduced by a technology-enabled financial institution, FairMoney Microfinance Bank.
This initiative marks a significant expansion of FairMoney’s product ecosystem, moving beyond personal and working capital loans into commercial asset financing. By helping entrepreneurs build a verifiable credit history through vehicle repayments, the company is supporting financial inclusion and participation within the formal economy.
Asset Financing Solution forms part of the lender’s broader commitment to responsible lending and structured financing for eligible operators, as it expands access to asset financing for mobility entrepreneurs across the country through an application process subject to credit assessment and eligibility requirements.
The sector continues to record sustained market activity with reported growth rates of approximately 9.87 per cent–10.1 per cent in late 2025.
As road freight and passenger transport remain the nation’s dominant modes of transit, FairMoney’s new initiative aims to improve access to structured asset financing for thousands of transporters and delivery merchants. By providing access to business-use transport assets, the product helps address limited access to structured financing for micro-SMEs and supports activities within Nigeria’s logistics and mobility sector.
Mobility entrepreneurs seeking to acquire vehicles can now access flexible repayment plans through an application process that is subject to credit assessment and eligibility requirements.
Leveraging its technology-enabled onboarding and risk assessment capabilities, applicants can move through a structured onboarding and evaluation process.
Repayment structures are specifically tailored to the daily and weekly cash-flow realities of mobility businesses, supporting operational continuity and business growth within structured repayment arrangements.
The programme is open to eligible applicants via the FairMoney Business platform and through designated partner hubs across major cities.
“Our mission has always been to increase financial inclusion and create income opportunities by supporting individuals and small business operators in growing their businesses.
“With this solution, we are focused on supporting small business operators and mobility entrepreneurs who contribute significantly to transportation and commercial activity. The solution is designed to provide structured asset financing for eligible operators,” the Managing Director of FairMoney MFB, Mr Henry Obiekea, stated.
Speaking further, he said, “The intra-state transportation sector in Nigeria is experiencing sustained demand and market activity, offering opportunities for mobility and transport operators. The Asset Financing Solution ensures that costs are spread into manageable instalments, thereby supporting small business operations and broader economic participation.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Two former employees of Access Bank Plc, identified as Mr Obadofin Daniel Bamise and Ms Hadiza Oyiza Yakubu, have been convicted and sentenced by Justice A.A. Bello of the Kaduna State High Court for theft.
The convicts were found guilty of a separate one-count charge of theft against them by the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
They carried out unauthorised withdrawals on the accounts of 305 customers of Access Bank, who were beneficiaries of the federal government’s Palliative Scheme, totalling N7.8 million. They posted the unauthorised withdrawals to the Palliative Scheme’s coordinators’ accounts.
After pleading “guilty” to the charges against them, Justice Bello convicted and sentenced both of them to seven years imprisonment each, with an option of a N50,000 fine each.
According to a statement from the EFCC, the charge against Mr Bamise was, “That you, Obadofin Bamise Daniel sometime between the 5th of November, 2024 and 23rd of January, 2025 in Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while being an employee of Access Bank Plc did in your capacity as an employee committed theft in the sum of N433.000 being property in possession of Access Bank Plc and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 274 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under same Law.”
The charge against Ms Yakubu was, “That you, Hadiza Oyiza Yakubu sometimes between the 5th of November, 2024 and 23rd of January, 2025 in Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while being an employee of Access Bank Plc did in your capacity as an employee committed theft in the sum of N806,000 being property in possession of Access Bank Plc and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 274 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under same Law.”
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