Briefs: Cuscal correction, David Foster joins Thorn Group board, MasterCard plans to ditch online pa

Correction: An article published last Friday, 'Green light for Cuscal's SPS takeover', said that Cuscal was in "a unique position as the only wholesale payments company that was also an authorised deposit-taking institution." That is not correct. Australian Settlements Ltd, which provides services to banks, building societies and credit unions, has a similar status.
Store finance specialist Thorn Group has appointed former Suncorp Bank chief executive David Foster as a non-executive director. Foster was CEO of Suncorp Bank for five years from 2008. He will chair Thorn's audit, risk and compliance committee. Foster is also chair of GD Engineering and Construction, a director of Sunshine Coast Economic Futures Board and a senior adviser in banking and capital markets at EY.
MasterCard has outlined its plan to move away from passwords for online payments. The company is piloting fingerprint biometrics, facial and voice recognition systems and a wristband that identifies a "unique cardiac rhythm." Where necessary, one-time passwords would replace static passwords.
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank chief executive Mike Hirst has told the Australian Financial Review he supports "targeted macroprudential measures" to cool investor demand for residential property. "I think it is well worth considering more targeted responses if you don't want to impact the broader economy too heavily," Hirst said.