SmartMetric, an Across Enterprise Aproach Is Needed in the War Against Data Based Financial Theft - Banks Need to Continue to Harden Defenses While Retaining a Seamless User Experience With Such Advances as the SmartMetric Biometric EMV Credit Card

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - November 20, 2015) - SmartMetric, Inc. (OTCQB: SMME) -- SmartMetric, the creator of the world's first ISO standard sized Biometric Payments Card that uses a card user's fingerprint to activate the card's EMV chip, says Banks need to take a holistic approach to the adoption of new technology in the ongoing fight against data based financial thieves.

Some think that all things will be great if everyone uses their phone to make payments without taking into account that the vast majority of the public just doesn't trust their mobile phones for app based transactions. With all of the security failures experienced by credit cards, credit cards still remain the preferred payment device for consumers by staggering large numbers.

Analysis of consumer research conducted by Gallup Research this year gives an interesting insight into the wariness consumers have regarding using their mobile phones for payments.

"Trust is affecting digital wallet adoption. Analysis of a recent Gallup survey finds that only 2% of Americans actually use digital wallets. While 13% of smartphone owners actually have a digital wallet app, the majority of those who do have an app (76%), rarely -- if ever -- use it. A real contrast exists between these figures and the perceived interest in digital wallets"

CONSUMERS TRUST BANKS THE MOST TO KEEP THEIR PERSONAL DATA SAFE

• According to Gallup research (2015) consumers we're asked who they trust:
• PRIMARY BANK 91%
• CREDIT CARD COMPANIES 65%
• ONLINE RETAILERS 58%
• SOCIAL NETWORKING WEBSITES AND APPS 23%

When asked how much trust consumers have in businesses and organizations to keep their personal information secure, 9 out of 10 American consumers say they have a lot or some trust in their primary bank (91%). Social Networking sites or apps have lowest levels of trust. Only 2 in 10 consumers have a lot or some trust in these social networks' and apps ability to keep their personal data safe (23%) This explains why there is a huge user gap in the Banking world between mobile phone usage for online banking and the use of a mobile phone app for payments using anyone of the common third party mobile wallet apps. The consumer just doesn't trust their phone for making payments.

Even credit card companies have less trust in the minds of the consumer than Banks. The continuation of security issues surrounding plastic payments could make this trust gap even greater. However the humble plastic card is still far more trusted even by millennials, than mobile wallets.

More than half of U.S. adults report that their trust decreased a little or a lot (55%) over the past year, again according to the Gallup research.

SmartMetric sees that technology should build on Banks' strengths. Enhancing the "trust" in the Banking experience is now the biggest challenge for Banks. Using technology to enhance trust of existing systems such as cards will have a greater immediate return than trying to win over the trust of the mobile user who is overwhelmingly nervous to use their mobile phones for payments.

From analyzing the research coming out over the past 12 months it is obvious that a lot of ground can be made through Banks increasing the trust level of payments cards. Payments cards aren't going away anytime soon and remain the primary method of choice in the hearts and minds of the consumer said today, SmartMetric's, President & CEO, Chaya Hendrick.

The SmartMetric biometric payments card solution adds to EMV Chip cards a strong biometric layer of security and works with existing chip card readers in retail stores and ATMs without the need for additional hardware or systems at the bank. The SmartMetric biometric card solution increases the trust level while providing a frictionless and seamless enhanced security experience for the card user.

According to EMVco there are 3.4 billion EMV chip cards now issued around the world. The United States is now changing over in excess of 1 billion credit and debit cards to EMV chip cards throughout the country.

To view a video of the SmartMetric biometric chip card follow this link:

SmartMetric Biometric Payments Card -- https://youtu.be/zSX59uHoHqU

To view the company website: www.smartmetric.com.

Source: Gallup poll based on telephone interviews conducted Oct. 7-11, 2015, on the Gallup U.S. Daily survey.

Safe Harbor Statement: Certain of the above statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.