FNB rolls out biometric ATMs

FNB is to roll out 50 new banking kiosks that validate a customer's identity with the touch of a thumb at locations across South Africa.

Customer using the mini-ATMS can conduct withdrawals and payments transfers, purchase airtime and electricity and perform card cancellations. It can also be used to open new accounts.

Lee-Anne van Zyl, CEO of FNB points of presence, says: “The TouchPoint validates a customer’s identity by scanning a fingerprint placed on the biometric reader and it can detect false fingerprints to prevent fraud. The identity of the customer is then verified with the Department of Home Affairs to ensure the self-service account opening complies with the relevant laws.”

FNB says the device had been successfully piloted in Gauteng province since November 2017. The bank is now rolling out 50 new kiosks to branches, community retailers in townships and rural areas across South Africa.

Related Companies

First National Bank of Southern Africa

Channels

Retail banking Security Payments

Keywords

Automated teller machines and network services Biometrics

Comments: (3)

A Finextra member 09 May, 2018, 11:17

Be the first to give this comment the thumbs up

0 likes

When they say false fingerprints, do they also test proof of life? Additionally considering the prevelance of crime, how do you prevent accounts being opened under duress?

Report abuse

Hitesh Thakkar - SME - Fintech startups (APAC and Africa) - India 10 May, 2018, 11:42

0 likes

@Paul, Now Finger print scanners are available which can check life please check the comparison (http://www.hitachi.co.jp/products/it/veinid/global/introduction/comparison.html).

Duress has direct relation to country's public security services as there are several influencial and incentive factors comes in consideration.

Just on side line - Gulf region is going one step forward to build biometric database i.e. of DNA record of citizen from public health services point of view.

Report abuse

A Finextra member 28 May, 2018, 13:54

0 likes

Completely agree with Paul Tate's concerns above. South Africa is a high crime country and wealth disparity can often be directly related to violent attacks. IMO, certain criminals wouldn't think twice about hand hacking to access cash. A grim thought but I can assure you it will happen.

A much better scenario would be biometric & pin access. Simply replacing one physical with another (card <-> hand, eyes, whatever) and then pin/password requirement is much safer.