Article

Nigerian bank deploys country's first biometric ATM

The biometric ATM also will attract the unbanked.

February 14, 2011

First Bank of Nigeria plc has deployed the first biometric ATM in Nigeria’s banking sector to serve customers who cannot read or write, as well as the elderly.

“The new technology is available to existing customers, who may wish to add biometric authentication as part of their transaction approval process on the bank’s ATMs in addition to PIN selection, while new cardholders, especially who cannot read nor write and the elderly, will be issued cards with only biometric authentication,” said Chuma Ezirin, group head of eBusiness for First Bank, which is based in Lagos, Africa’s fastest-growing city.

Ezirin said the biometric ATM, which was manufactured by NCR Corp.,  will build customer confidence in the use of electronic channels by preventing fraud. According to a photograph on the bank’s website, a customer places his index finger on the ATM’s biometric device. The device identifies the individual as a bank customer. The ATM leverages the Customer Identification System platform being developed by the bank’s information technology team. NCR is based in Duluth, Ga.

The biometric ATM also is expected to attract the unbanked, which is an important initiative of The Central Bank of Nigeria.

First Bank of Nigeria tested the ATM before deploying it in the bank’s main office. The financial institution plans to deploy additional biometric ATMs in other strategic branch locations.

First Bank of Nigeria is the country’s leading financial institution.