Using account biometrics
We want to make it easier and safer for you to confirm your identity and carry out your everyday banking. We're rolling out a new authentication method so that current account holders don't need to use a card reader to make payments in the Banking app.
What are biometrics?
Biometrics use physical or behavioural characteristics to verify a person's identity, such as fingerprints and facial recognition.
To increase security on your account in our app, we can use facial recognition to check it's you - this is account biometrics. You may also have device biometrics set up.
Device biometrics
Log in and approve payments
Instead of your passnumber, you can use your device's face or fingerprint recognition to log in and make small payments.
Account biometrics
An extra layer of security in the app
Secure your account by taking a photo of your face to create a digital map. This means we can trust your passnumber or device biometrics to do more in the app without a card reader.
How do we use facial recognition to confirm 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 analyse and map your unique features to confirm your identity.
It's a bit like your face is your password.
How it works
- When you set up account biometrics, our Banking app will take your photo
- 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.
In fact, you'll approve most payments with just your passnumber or device biometrics (Face ID or Touch ID).
Setting up biometrics in the Banking app
We are in the process of rolling this out to our current account customers. If you’re eligible, 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.
Mitek related links
Questions you may have
You don't have to. You'll need to continue to use your card reader for making some payments in the Banking app.
Your device biometrics will work as you've set them up, so you can still use Face ID or Touch ID to log in and make payments if you've chosen to. Otherwise, you’ll continue to use your passnumber.
You can change your mind and go back to using your card reader at any time.
You'll need to use your card reader to make some payments in the app. Don’t have a card reader? Order a new card reader.
If you choose to turn off account biometrics, Mitek will be instructed to delete the digital map of your face.
The photo is stored for 7 days after capture by Mitek. After this, Mitek will delete the photo. Mitek will securely store the digital map of your face that was created in the set-up process.
Nationwide will keep a copy of the photo and ask you to update it every 2 years.
Want to find out more? Read Mitek’s privacy policy (opens in a new window).
Our appearance can change over time. To keep your account secure, we’ll ask you to retake a photo of your face every 2 years.
This will create a new digital map used to secure your account.
If you don’t see the option for account biometrics in the Banking app, it maybe because you are not eligible to set it up.
We are in the process of rolling this out to our current account customers. You'll see a message in the app when it is available for you.
Other reasons you may not be eligible for account biometrics are that you:
- don't have a current account
- are awaiting a replacement card
- are under 13 years old
You can change your mind and go back to using your card reader at any time and Mitek will delete the digital map of your face.
In the Banking app go to Settings, then Biometrics and select Account biometrics.
On the screen you will see an option to remove account biometrics. Follow the instructions to turn it off.
No. All accounts are connected through one set up of your account biometrics.
If you have other devices, like a tablet, you'll need to complete the facial authentication set-up on all of them to be able to use them without the card reader.
No. Account Biometrics only works in the Nationwide app on up-to-date operating systems. If you find you can’t set up account biometrics in our app, try updating your device to the latest operating system to resolve the issue.
If you have a new device, you may need to wait a little while before you see the account biometrics option in the Banking app.
This is because your security is our priority. This gives us time to be confident it’s you using your new device.
If you had account biometrics set up on your old device, you don't need to go through the set-up process again. But you'll be asked to use your card reader once to confirm it's you. Then you can make all payments using account biometrics again.