Biometrics is becoming the new way to verify identity, but its adoption in smartphones is still in the early phases. Standard Chartered Bank is ready for the day when the technology becomes commonplace with its new biometric app.
Standard Chartered Bank unveils biometric app
The app targets South Asia, especially Pakistan, where the central bank ordered all commercial banks to verify their customers’ identities using biometrics. Pakistanis who didn’t verify their accounts with their biometrics may have their bank account suspended. Most banks have set a deadline before June 30, although a few had deadlines as early as May 31.
Standard Chartered Bank has made it easy for accountholders to verify their biometrics with its SC PK Biometric app, which is available in the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store. The app enables users to verify their biometrics without having to physically go down to the bank to take care of it.
Pakistan’s central bank originally ordered banks to verify customers’ biometrics in 2016, so most bank accounts opened since then have already been requiring customers to verify their biometrics. However, the central bank now wants all accountholders to verify their information, so if you opened a bank account before 2016, then you will need to verify your biometrics.
Details on the new app
The SC PK biometric app is designed purposely to deal with the new requirement from the State Bank of Pakistan. The app provides verification through the nation’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). Standard Chartered customers can verify their biometrics at any time from the comfort of their home.
Techjuice explained how to use the biometric app. After installing it, users must fill in the information it requests, including their CNIC number and phone number. The app then calls for a photo of the user’s finger. The index finger is the one used most often, but users can select other fingers if they don’t want to use their index finger. The app does not even require users to have a fingerprint sensor on their device because it takes an image of the fingerprint using the phone’s rear camera to authenticate biometrics.
