Leader: Shoppers ain't James Bond

Banks and credit card companies are being pulled in two directions.

On the one side they want faster, more convenient ways for customers to pay - but on the other they need to tighten security and crack down on fraud.

In a perfect world, both would be possible but the way things are going, it's obvious there's no comfortable balance between the two.

Even if finger-scanning does prove more convenient, people will undoubtedly worry about the security of this 'newfangled technology' since it's their money at stake.

Take the Co-op's trial of biometric payments. It's a novel idea, whereby customers use their fingerprint to verify payment on their debit or credit card; one that brings James Bond technology to the checkout.

But so far biometrics have not yet been proved successful in the consumer space. In a closed environment, such as the military or even the top-secret world of the corporate office, they have a far higher chance of working well.

The risks elsewhere are that 007 finger-scanning equipment is only going to confuse the average shopper, who, unused to the new system, will hold up the checkout queue.

Chip and PIN takes long enough when you're waiting for someone to buy a 75p croissant but imagine the kafuffle with biometrics.

And even if finger-scanning does prove more convenient, people will undoubtedly worry about the security of this 'newfangled technology' since it's their money at stake.

We're not saying everyone should give up on biometric payment systems - but as with all new IT projects the user experience is key. Don't underestimate the power of the consumer to be confused by and suspicious of new technology.

Your average shopper may not be as swanky and as sophisticated as James Bond but the spending power of armies of them could still pack a lethal punch.