Following final tests and certification, HSBC Bank Malta is to issue Visa Classic and Visa Gold Chip and PIN cards. The initiative follows the launch of the Premier and Classic MasterCard Chip and PIN credit cards in June 2008. 

The bank's new credit card customers are to receive chip and PIN credit cards, which have increased security features, while all existing cards are to be replaced according to a project roll-out. Chip and PIN cardholders are to authorise transactions by entering a unique PIN at the point of sale instead of signing a receipt.

HSBC Bank Malta is the only local bank whose EPOS terminals have received certification from all card schemes to accept chip and PIN cards.