HSBC is launching biometric banking in the UK by offering voice recognition and touch security services. The bank said its internet banking customers will no longer have to remember passwords or memorable places and dates to access accounts. The bank has already introduced voice recognition software, but it is only available to certain clients. Now it wants to offer this service to up to 15 million banking customers. First Direct’s customers will be offered the voice and fingerprint recognition system over the next few weeks, followed by HSBC’s in the summer. An official of the bank said the launch of voice and touch ID makes it even quicker and easier for customers to access their bank accounts, using the most secure form of password technology – the body. Touch ID is currently available on all Apple mobile devices for both HSBC and First Direct. Nuance Communications is supplying the voice biometrics technology, which works by cross-checking against over 100 unique identifiers including both behavioural features such as speed, cadence and pronunciation, and physical aspects including the shape of larynx, vocal tract and nasal passages.
