Using biometrics in our banking app

There are 2 types of biometrics you can use:

  • Face or fingerprint recognition through your phone or device
  • Face recognition you set up with the Account biometrics in our banking app

Phone or device biometrics

Using the face or fingerprint recognition set up on your phone or device, you can:

  • Log in to our banking app
  • Authorise small payments in our banking app
  • Verify your identity when you log in to the internet bank  
  • Authorise small payments in the internet bank 

If you choose to only use your phone or device biometrics and don't set up account biometrics, you will still need your card reader to do most things in our banking app or internet bank.

Account biometrics

By setting up account biometrics in our banking app, you can use face recognition instead of your card reader to do most things. It offers an extra layer of security together with your device biometrics. You will need to take a separate picture of your face or a selfie.

Information:

We may still ask you to use your card reader from time to time for fraud checks. 


How do we use account biometrics to check it's you?

We work with our trusted security partner, Mitek, to use facial recognition technology in the banking app. We'll take a photo of your face and Mitek will scan and map your unique features to confirm your identity.

How it works

  • When you set up account biometrics, our banking app will take a photo of your face
  • With your consent it's sent to Mitek, who will use face detection technology to capture your facial features
  • This creates a digital map of your face and is securely stored with Mitek
  • In future, if we need to make extra sure it's really you, we can take another photo
  • Mitek will compare it to their digital map of your face

Once this is set up, you won't need your card reader to make payments in the app.

Setting up biometrics in the banking app

The steps to set up account biometrics are in the app. Here is where you should start from and what you'll need to complete the process.

Find Pay without card reader

Go to Settings. If you’re eligible, you’ll see Pay without card reader listed under the Accounts heading.

What you'll need

A plain background and a well-lit space to take a photo of your face.

You may also need your account card and card reader (just this once to set it up).

Follow the on-screen instructions

In the app, you'll be given instructions on how to take your photo and submit it.

Keeping your personal information safe

When it comes to our customer's personal information, we make sure we use it appropriately and keep it safe.

Mitek

When setting up facial recognition in the banking app, we'll take a photo of your face. This photo is used to create a digital biometric map of your face. The original photo is kept for 7 days by Mitek and is then deleted. They'll keep the digital map for verifying it's you.

If you want to find out more about how Mitek use and store your information, check Mitek’s privacy policy (opens in a new window).

Nationwide

Nationwide will keep a copy of the photo and ask you to update it every 2 years.

If you want to learn more about how we use your personal information, check our data privacy policy statement.

Why are we working with Mitek?

Mitek are identity verification experts, we use their technology to confirm it's you managing your accounts.

The security of our customer's personal information is essential to us. That's why we only work with trusted suppliers. Mitek provide identity verification for organisations all over the world including UK banks.

Frequently asked questions