Lloyds Bank to trial Microsoft biometric authentication for online banking

Microsoft has partnered with the Lloyds Banking Group to enable select Windows 10 users to log-in to their online banking accounts using their face via the Windows Hello feature, according to a report by TechRadar.

Lloyds said it would start trialing the new feature some time in “the second half of the year,” with Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland customers being the first to test out the new security option.

As an integral security feature of Windows 10, Windows Hello allows users to unlock their phone, tablet or PC by scanning their face, iris or fingerprints.

Windows Hello generates data by mapping the user’s face rather than a standard image, which means it cannot be duped by a photograph of the user.

Another benefit of the upcoming biometric login feature is that compatible Windows 10 devices use inbuilt infrared cameras, which securely identify faces in a range of lighting conditions.

“This Lloyds Banking Group pilot marks another significant step towards an era of more personal computing,” said Ryan Asdourian, Windows and devices lead at Microsoft UK. “Windows Hello enables users to log in to a Windows device in less than two seconds and this use of advanced biometric technology will provide Lloyds Banking Group customers with a more seamless and frictionless experience without compromising security.”

Microsoft currently offers two mobile devices — Surface Pro 4 and Lumia 950 — that take advantage of its Windows Hello features.

Lloyds Bank customers who use iPhones can already authenticate and access their accounts using their fingerprint.

Previously reported, a recent Creators Update of Windows 10 added a feature to Windows Hello that automatically locks a device when the user walks away from the camera.

Article Topics

authentication  |  banking  |  biometrics  |  facial recognition  |  Microsoft  |  Windows Hello