With all your hard-earned money moving through digital banking channels—whether you’re saving for retirement in the UK or sending funds back home—it’s a smart move to make sure that it’s safe.
Fortunately, whether you’re accessing your bank accounts or transferring money with Remitly, biometric security has made it infinitely easier to protect your digital assets. By using your fingerprint, face, or other physical feature to verify your identity, it simplifies and secures your money management.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about biometric authentication, how it works, and why it’s becoming a key part of digital banking security.
What is Biometric Authentication in Banking?
Biometric authentication is a way to verify your identity using unique physical traits or biometrics. Instead of relying on passwords or PINs, which can be forgotten or stolen, biometric authentication uses something that’s uniquely yours, making it both secure and convenient.
In banking, biometric authentication is often part of multi-factor authentication (MFA), a security process that requires two or more forms of verification before granting access.
You can think of MFA as a double-lock system: one lock might be something you know (your password), while the other could be something you have (e.g. your phone) or something you are (e.g. your fingerprint or face). Biometrics fall into the “something you are” category.
Many UK banks already use biometric authentication to enhance security. Barclays, HSBC, NatWest, and Lloyds Bank all allow customers to log in and approve payments using facial recognition or fingerprint scans via their mobile apps.
Some banks also use voice recognition for customer service verification, ensuring that only the account holder can access sensitive information.
Types of biometric authentication methods
There are a variety of biometrics that are used to verify identity. While some methods—like fingerprint scanning—are widely used, others are still emerging. Here are the most common types:
- Fingerprint recognition: Fingerprints offer a quick, secure, and convenient way to log in to banking apps and approve transactions.
- Facial recognition: Many banking apps now support facial scanning, allowing users to unlock accounts simply by looking at their phone’s camera.
- Voice recognition: Some banks use voice biometrics to verify customers over the phone, analysing speech patterns and vocal characteristics.
- Iris scanning: Often used in high-security environments, this method involves scanning the unique patterns in a person’s iris.
- Behavioural biometrics: An emerging technology that analyses how people type, swipe, or interact with their devices to detect fraud or unauthorised access.
By implementing this second layer of authentication, banks make your digital interactions more secure and seamless.
How does Biometric Authentication Work in Mobile Apps?
When you use biometric authentication to access your mobile banking app, there’s no need to manually type out your password. Instead, you can simply place your finger on your phone’s scanner or look at the front-facing camera. The app will access your phone’s in-built biometric scanner and grant you access if it recognises you.
It might feel like this all happens instantly, but there’s actually quite a complex sequence of events that has to take place behind the scenes. And it all starts with sampling.
Sampling happens when you set biometric authentication up on your device or your banking app. During this process, you’ll use your device’s in-built scanner to provide your biometric data, the system will then analyse key characteristics—like fingerprint ridge patterns or facial landmarks—and a digital template of those biometrics will be stored on your device.
Later, when you attempt to log in, the system follows three steps —
- Scanning: Your biometric data is captured through your device’s scanner.
- Matching: The new scan is compared against the stored template.
- Decision: If the system finds a close enough match, you’re granted access. If not, authentication fails.
All of this happens in milliseconds, making biometric authentication both seamless and secure.
How Biometric Authentication Makes Banking Online More Safe and Convenient
Online banking makes it much less of a hassle to get your banking done, but biometric authentication supercharges this convenience.
Using biometrics eliminates the need to remember complex passwords or carry physical tokens. A quick fingerprint or facial scan can give you immediate access to your banking services, making it much easier to access your digital banking platform.
Biometric authentication also increases the security of your banking app. While passwords can be guessed using a range of automated programs, the uniqueness of biometric data makes it much more difficult to replicate or steal. This means that even if a malicious actor attempts to bypass biometric security, the chances of success are extremely low.
Concerns with biometrics in UK banking
While biometric authentication is a game-changer for online banking, it’s not without its issues. For example, many people worry about what might happen if their biometric data is stolen. Unlike passwords, which can be reset, you can’t change your fingerprint or face.
Fortunately, most mobile banking apps store biometric templates locally on your device rather than on a central server. This means that your fingerprint or facial scan is stored in a secure part of your phone and never leaves the device. So, even if hackers breach a bank’s system, they won’t have access to your biometric data.
Another concern is accuracy. While biometric systems are highly reliable, they’re not perfect. Factors like poor lighting, changes in appearance, or even injuries can prevent a scan from being recognised. Fingerprint scanners can also struggle if your fingers are wet or dirty.
To remedy issues related to accuracy that might prevent customers from getting locked out, banks usually require you to nominate an alternative login method, like a PIN or password, as a backup.
There’s also the question of privacy. Some people worry that their biometric data might be misused or shared without their consent.
In the UK, the General Data Protection Regulation helps to ensure this doesn’t happen. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) regulates how biometric data can be collected and used, and banks must follow these regulations and inform customers about how their biometric information is handled.
Of course, as technology continues to improve, banks are continuously finding new ways to enhance security while simplifying things for their customers.
The Future of Biometric Technology in Banking Apps
Biometric authentication has already transformed banking security, but we’ve only seen the beginning. As technology evolves, banks are exploring new ways to enhance security and streamline the user experience.
Innovations and developments in biometrics
There are a variety of complementary technologies that enable biometric authentication—and all of them are developing at a breakneck speed. Here are some key innovations that are shaping biometric authentication and security —
- Multimodal biometrics: Combining multiple biometric factors, such as fingerprint and facial recognition, enhances security by reducing the chances of false positives or successful spoofing.
- Biometric payment cards: Some banks are introducing debit and credit cards with built-in fingerprint scanners to authenticate transactions and reduce the risk of fraud for in-person payments.
- Biometric authentication in physical branches: Some banks are using biometrics in bricks-and-mortar branches to allow customers to access services without needing to present identification documents.
- Predictive biometric mapping: Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to improve biometric accuracy because of its ability to predict subtle changes in facial features over time, potentially reducing errors caused by ageing or minor appearance changes.
- Pattern recognition: Machine learning is helping banks analyse biometric data patterns and use purpose-built algorithms to spot and flag suspicious behaviour—e.g. someone using voice masking software—and block access.
- Secure data storage and handling: By taking advantage of the decentralised blockchain network, banks are making it more difficult for third parties to access and misuse the data they store.
Predictions for biometric growth in banking
Biometric banking has seen significant growth over the past few years and this is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
In 2022, the global biometric banking market was valued at $5 billion (roughly £4 billion) and is projected to reach $23.6 billion by 2032, equivalent to around £18.75 billion. This expansion, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.2%, is largely driven by the demand for enhanced security and seamless user experiences.
For customers, this means more secure and convenient access to banking services, with less need to rely on traditional passwords and PINs. You can expect faster transactions and improved protection against fraud, making everyday banking more efficient and secure.
Biometrics’ role in advancing digital banking solutions
Besides the security and convenience that it offers, biometric authentication also enables banks to give you more personalised banking experiences.
By analysing biometric data, financial institutions can gain valuable insights into user behaviour, preferences, and needs. This enables them to deliver targeted services—think tailored financial advice, product recommendations, or fraud alerts—based on individual profiles.
For banks, biometric authentication also leads to increased customer satisfaction, as users appreciate the convenience of being able to access their accounts without needing to remember complex passwords.
Whichever side of the counter you’re on, biometrics are sure to improve your banking experience.
Common Biometric Banking Questions and Answers
Biometric authentication is relatively new on the banking scene, so you likely still have a lot of questions about this technology. We’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions people have about biometric banking to help you feel more confident using it.
What if I don’t want to use biometrics?
Not everyone is comfortable using biometric authentication. And that’s completely fine. Customers can usually disable biometric authentication in their banking app’s settings and most banks offer alternative login options, such as passwords, PINs, or security questions.
Keep in mind, though, as this technology becomes more popular, you may eventually have to use it.
What happens if biometric authentication fails?
Sometimes, biometric scans don’t work. This might be due to lighting issues (for facial recognition), skin conditions (for fingerprint scanning), or device errors. To prevent lockouts, banks always provide backup login methods, such as entering a PIN or using a one-time passcode (OTP) sent to your phone.
Can someone fake my biometrics?
There are many failsafes built into biometric technology to prevent spoofing. For example, modern systems use liveness detection, like blinking or slight movements, which ensures the biometric sample is coming from a real person rather than a photo or recording.
What if my biometric data gets stolen?
Unlike passwords, biometric data can’t be easily changed, so security is a valid concern. To mitigate this risk, most banks store biometric templates locally on your device rather than in a central database. This means hackers would need access to your phone, rather than breaching a bank’s system, to compromise your biometrics.
Conclusion
Biometric authentication makes banking safer and easier. When you’re managing your money in a new country, there are a lot of new things to learn and remember. This secure login method takes new passwords off that list.
With biometric technology, protecting your money is easier than ever. All you have to do is be you. A simple scan of your unique features gives you access to your accounts but prevents anyone who doesn’t have them from getting in.
And when you want to send money internationally, Remitly will keep you and your funds safe.
FAQs
Should I use biometrics on my banking app?
It’s highly recommended to use biometrics on your banking app. These authentication methods use your unique features to verify your identity. As it’s incredibly difficult to replicate these features, biometric authentication is much more secure than traditional passwords. It’s also more convenient, as you can quickly and easily access your banking services without needing to remember complex passwords.
What is biometric authentication in mobile banking?
Biometric authentication in mobile banking refers to the use of a person’s unique physical or behavioural characteristics to verify their identity when accessing banking services. Common biometric methods include fingerprint scanning, facial recognition, and voice recognition. These technologies enhance security by ensuring that only the authorised user can access their account, reducing the risk of fraud.
How are biometrics used in banking?
In banking, biometrics are used to authenticate customers when they’re logging in to their digital account or before they authorise transactions. For example, a customer might use their fingerprint to access their mobile banking app or confirm a payment. Biometrics can also be used to verify a customer’s identity at cashpoint machines or in the bank branch.