# Selfie-Enabling Banking Access UK Bank NatWest Uses AI so Customers Can Open Accounts with Selfies By Grace Mahas | Published 2019-07-18 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bank-natwest References: [theguardian](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jun/20/natwest-is-first-big-uk-bank-to-let-customers-open-account-with-a-selfie) & [personal.natwest](https://personal.natwest.com/personal.html/?sesesese) UK-based bank NatWest recently announced that customers can now open their banking accounts using a selfie. The major high street bank partnered with HooYu, an ID verification company, to confirm the identity of the applicant with images from authenticated ID documents such as a passport or driver's license. This new launch makes banking more efficient for consumers by removing the need for them to physically visit a branch. The process uses state-of-the-art artificial intelligence that can accurately conduct a biometric verification of identities in real-time. Thus far, the system has been successfully piloted with over 60,000 customers and will launch nationwide shortly. NatWest is not the only bank that allows consumers banking access through a selfie -- Metro Bank and digital banks Monzo and Starling have also harnessed AI identity authentication to allow customers remote baking access. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 37% | Activity: 59% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Selfie Banking Access:** Facial recognition technology is enabling new banking channels that allow customers to open accounts and access banking services using a selfie, reducing the need for manual verification. - **Real-time ID Verification:** State-of-the-art artificial intelligence enables real-time biometric verification of customer identities to reduce fraud and enhance customer experience. - **Remote Banking Services:** With digital innovation and AI-enabled identity verification, banking services can now be offered remotely, providing financial access to a wider audience. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Banking:** The banking industry can leverage facial recognition technology for more efficient and secure services, expanding beyond traditional brick-and-mortar branches. - **ID Verification:** ID verification companies can partner with banks to offer more streamlined and automated verification processes that increase accuracy and reduce manual effort. - **Digital Banking:** Digital banks can lead the way in providing unparalleled customer experiences by adopting cutting-edge technology, like facial recognition technology, for improved financial access. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Biometric Banking Technology](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biometric-system.md) - [AI-Powered ID Verification Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/idpal.md) - [AI-Enabled ID Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mitek.md) - [Selfie Identity Verification](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cabify.md) - [Facial Recognition Security Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/facial-recognition-security.md) - [AI-Powered Banks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ryt-bank.md) - [Banking AI Assistants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lloyds-bank.md) - [Digital Banking Metaverses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hsbc-1.md) - [Identity Verification Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pruvly-ai.md)