USAA says it will become the first financial institution in America to offer facial and voice recognition on a mobile app.

The added protection against fraud and identity theft is to be rolled out in early 2015. This extends the mobile app’s multi-factor authentication options to include a unique PIN, face and voice recognition – all of which work in conjunction with a security code generated by the app for each login.

USAA’s facial recognition requires users to look at the screen and, when prompted, blink their eyes. For voice recognition, users must read a short phrase. Following a successful pilot in California, Texas and Florida, USAA will now make these features available to customers in other states.

The organisation has already updated its mobile app to allow customers to immediately connect with a staff representative using a voice-over-internet connection instead of a traditional phone call. The new biometric options will be available on both iOS and Android devices, and USAA also plans to test the use of fingerprint identification to log in.

“USAA is committed to cutting-edge solutions to make our members’ financial transactions as secure as possible,” said Gary McAlum, USAA’s chief security officer. “The use of multi-factor authentication through biometrics is one of the most effective ways to increase security protection as traditional passwords become increasingly obsolete.”

USAA is a group of companies providing banking, insurance and investment services to 10.6 million current and former members of the US military and their families.

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