Barclays has announced that it is launching a finger scanner to help improve the security of its online banking services in the UK.
The company has partnered with Hitachi to make use of the firm's Finger Vein Authentication Technology, which scans vein patterns rather than fingerprints.
The scanner will connect to a computer via USB and grant customers access to their accounts when they press their finger against it, eliminating the need for a user name or password.
Vein-scanning technology is more secure than its fingerprint-based counterpart, as it requires the user to be alive and pumping blood, so severing somebody's finger is not an option.
"We have shown the technology to a range of businesses and the interest and enthusiasm for the product is tremendous," said Ashok Vaswani, CEO of Barclays' personal and corporate banking division.
"The technology has also been tested by Hitachi for many years, and it will be game-changing for UK businesses and consumers."
The finger scanner will be available to Barclays corporate users from next year, with the firm yet to announce plans to offer it to personal bankers.
The company has partnered with Hitachi to make use of the firm's Finger Vein Authentication Technology, which scans vein patterns rather than fingerprints.
Barclays' finger scanner for online banking
The scanner will connect to a computer via USB and grant customers access to their accounts when they press their finger against it, eliminating the need for a user name or password.
Vein-scanning technology is more secure than its fingerprint-based counterpart, as it requires the user to be alive and pumping blood, so severing somebody's finger is not an option.
"We have shown the technology to a range of businesses and the interest and enthusiasm for the product is tremendous," said Ashok Vaswani, CEO of Barclays' personal and corporate banking division.
"The technology has also been tested by Hitachi for many years, and it will be game-changing for UK businesses and consumers."
The finger scanner will be available to Barclays corporate users from next year, with the firm yet to announce plans to offer it to personal bankers.