NatWest has launched a range of new ways for customers to open a digital banking account, including facial biometrics or ‘selfie’ verification.

The lender is rolling out identity verification software from HooYu, following a successful pilot with more than 60,000 customers.

The range of identity verification methods - including geo-location, identity document authentication, facial biometrics, digital footprint analysis, and identity scoring - had led to a significant drop fraudulent applications.

These Know Your Customer (KYC) methods, which use biometric checks to allow customers to provide a selfie and ID documents for authentication through their smartphone, come as High Street banks look to challenge the digital experience offered by challengers such as Monzo and Starling, both of which offer similar biometric and phone-based onboarding.

During the trial, some NatWest customers were able to complete their ID verification in four minutes, however the lender said that customers can start, pause and come back to their application if they don’t have the correct documents - such as passports or bank statements - to hand.

Frans Woelders, chief digital officer at NatWest, said: “We know customers want to be able to open accounts at a time and a place that suits them and not have to worry about precious ID documents going missing in the post, or taking time out of their day to go to a branch.

“That’s why we’re making it easier, safer and faster to open and access accounts, allowing customers to get on with the things that matter.”

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