Introduction
The Biometrics Technology transforming UX behind the world’s best banking app.
Introduced in summer 2011, BBVA bank´s app is one of the digital´s banking market leading channels. The platform is broadly recognized for its innovative features, optimizing UX and increasing security at each time, with the purpose of giving users an easy and total control of their economy.
Thanks to Veridas technology, BBVA´s app in Spain has pioneered upgrades like enabling clients to make transactions using their biometric signature, or the incorporation of FIDO authentication, a standard that reinforces security while accelerates the app´s access. These improvements establish the commitment in Biometrics as one of the drivers powering the bank´s digital transformation.
During the last weeks, BBVA has introduced a new functionality thanks to Veridas biometric solutions, aimed to optimize the digital interaction between the bank and its clients: users in Spain now can change their validated phone number directly from the app. A procedure that required clients to look for an ATM or one of the bank´s branches, now can be completed within the app thanks to the digital identity verification solution from the spanish technology firm.
What is the validated phone number?
Digital banking users must have a phone number in order to operate safely. Like an ID Document or a credit card, the phone number is something owned by the user, so can be used as a resource for verifying the user’s identity.
The Strong Customer Authentication presented in the European Payment Service Providers Directive (PSD2) considers the mobile phone number as an authentication element: a personal phone number may be one of the two different data which are required to the user verifying his/her identity in the electronic payment services activities. However, the phone number in itself isn’t valid until it´s owner’s identity has not been correctly verified.
With the incorporation of Veridas proprietary software, users can complete the validation procedure via the BBVA Spain mobile banking App, just having their ID Document with them and following the identity verification process shown in the mobile device running the App, avoiding the user´s trip to an ATM or a BBVA branch.
During the process, the ID document validity is analyzed and a Biometric comparison is made between the ID document´s picture and the selfie captured at the moment by the user. A biometric engine powered by AI verifies the user’s identity in a trustworthy, safe and private way.
Veridas technology incorporates anti-spoofing technology in the Identity Document Verification as well as in the selfie capture, providing a robust identity authentication to prevent any attempt of fraudulent access to the online bank.
With Veridas technology, BBVA continues boosting it´s App nature: features that emerge from listening and understanding users, making their relationship with the bank easier in a safe way.
Together with the Spanish technology company in this new use case, BBVA has shifted from identity assumption to certainty, obtaining a certain identity verification. As resulting from this partnership, a procedure is automated reducing employees’ workload, besides customer experience is improved, with clients already able to update their validated phone number with their mobile devices.
