And finally… vein payments system set for global launch in Manchester

The fintech firm uses finger vein ID technology for payments and ID, and bosses says it will hit the streets of Manchester this Summer, following current negotiations with leisure and hospitality venues across the city.

Fingopay allows customers to link their vein signatures with their payment cards to pay using just their finger at a network of merchants.

At tills, the unique pattern of the customer’s vein is scanned, verifying payments in seconds through a cloud-based matching system.

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Simon Binns, CMO at Fingopay, said: “We have already successfully completed pilots at Festival Number 6, Proud bar Camden, Brunel University and Copenhagen Business School over the past two years and have been live in a hospitality area of the Etihad Stadium since January.”

He says the company is in advanced discussions with a number of venues across the city’s Spinningfields, Ancoats and King Street districts. Fingopay has also secured the support of Manchester’s inward investment agency Midas and The City Centre Management Company.

“Manchester has a dynamic hospitality sector with some highly innovative operators, a large student population and positive environment for fintech businesses,” says Binns.

“This city-wide scheme will be a world-first, and we’ve had real encouragement from Greater Manchester Combined Authority to invest and create jobs in the City.”