HSBC to use voice recognition and Apple Touch ID for mobile banking security

Voice and fingerprint biometrics coming to HSBC mobile banking

HSBC is to roll out support for Apple's Touch ID fingerprint scanner and introduce voice recognition security for its 15 million UK customers.

The bank, one of the biggest in the world, believes that the new security processes will help serial password forgetters access their accounts by using fingerprint and/or voice recognition instead. The biometric identification will replace passwords and security questions, which it believes are out-dated and rely on people to remember things.

Francesca McDonagh, HSBC UK's head of retail banking and wealth management, claimed that the rollout of the fingerprint and voice tech is the largest of its kind in the UK. "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," she said.

Apple fans with iPhone 5S models or better will shortly be able to use Touch ID with the HSBC banking app.

And HSBC is not alone. Rival banks have already trialled various different biometrics. Barclays has introduced voice recognition and a slightly vampiric vein scanner, but you'll need pockets as deep as the Mariana Trench before the bank will offer you the service.

NatWest and RBS have offered fingerprint scanner identification since last year, while Nationwide, more than a decade ago, reportedly trialled iris recognition. However, banking start-up Atom Bank will enable customers to log-in to their accounts using face recognition, just as soon as it has actually started up.

"Passwords quite simply aren't working for the banking industry," said David Mount, director of security solutions consulting EMEA at software vendor Micro Focus. "They are too easy for hackers to steal and too difficult for customers to remember, which is why we're seeing banks like HSBC shift towards biometrics."

He added: "This announcement from HSBC is the latest step in a period of intense change in bank security, which is primarily being driven by the convergence of two key trends.

"First of all, customers are demanding more services on mobile devices and their expectations around online banking are changing. Accessibility is key when it comes to mobile and entering numerous passwords can be an inconvenience, which is why banks are looking to make the authentication process as easy for customers as possible.

"Second, traditional authentication methods are failing. Banks are concerned about the rising cost of fraud and are looking to limit future losses with a more effective authentication process."