Japan's Seven Bank is planning to add facial recognition technology to its ATMs, enabling users to open accounts through the machines, according to local press reports.
The bank, a subsidiary of retailer Seven & I Holdings, does not have a branch network but does operate more than 24,000 ATMs, mainly at convenience stores, notably Seven-Elevens.
According to the Japan Times, several thousand of these machines, mainly in large cities will get upgraded over the next 18 months, gaining a high-precision camera for taking photos of users.
Customers will be able to take a picture and scan a photo ID to open an account. Currently, new customers need to send a copy of their ID to the bank.
The new feature is being introduced thanks to a recent change in law, which allows machines to carry out identity verification duties.