Metro Bank is claiming another first as it becomes the first UK high street retail bank to roll out selfie technology to open current accounts online.
The launch represents the seamless integration of digital and physical with debit cards available to collect in store.
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Just like Metro Bank’s in-store account opening process, customers can use their account right away, with account details provided immediately at the end of a successful application.
Customers have the option of receiving their new debit card by first class post, normally arriving within two working days, or calling into their nearest store and having their MasterCard debit card printed on-the-spot.
According to Metro Bank, the entire account opening process, with verification and authentication taking place in real-time, means that accounts can be opened in less than 10 minutes, including setting-up internet banking.
Craig Donaldson, CEO at Metro Bank comments: “We promised to revolutionise UK banking and today we’re bringing our revolution nationwide, with the launch of our online current account opening platform.
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By GlobalData“Now wherever customers are, they can experience the great service and convenience that everyone’s been talking about. The process is fast, simple and convenient and gets customers — wherever they are and whatever they’re doing — up and running in a matter of minutes.
Donaldson adds: “When it comes to physical versus digital, it’s not either or, customers should be able to benefit from the best of both worlds. Opening an account from the convenience of your own home, then being able to use the account straight away, with a card ready to be printed in your local store, is a great example of the seamless integration of bricks and clicks.
“With nine in ten people (92%) wanting the choice to bank however, wherever and whenever they choose, we’re continuing to invest across all our channels, whether that’s our physical stores on the high street, the great tech that sits behind our app and internet banking, or our telephony systems that mean customers get through to a colleague straight away. Welcome to the banking revolution.”
Metro Bank partnered with US-headquartered identity verification outfit Jumio to offer the digital onboarding facility.
