Barclays becomes first bank to introduce voice-activated money transfers

LSBF
LSBF
Aug 22, 2017 · 2 min read

Barclays has become the first high street bank in the UK to allow customers to transfer money using just their voice.

The service has been made available to iPhone users, with customers being able to transfer their money by instructing Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri, and using Apple’s Touch ID feature to authenticate the payment.

Accessible

The service comes after Barclays announced that the bank would be replacing telephone passwords with voice recognition, making it the first UK bank to offer biometric technology.

Discussing the benefits of the technology, Barclays said that it ensures security and helps to make online banking more accessible, with customers being able to have access without having to remember passcodes.

Using the bank’s new Siri-integrated feature, customers can now make payments without having to open the Barclays app.

Barclays joins a number of other banks that are choosing to focus on technology to provide services to customers following the closure of branches.

Choice

Commenting on the service, Barclays Head of Customer Experience and Channels Raheel Ahmed stated that the bank has a long history of introducing innovative new products and services to give its customers choice in how they bank.

“The introduction of Siri payments to mobile banking customers is another step forward, giving flexibility and greater choice for all our customers,” he said.

The service was welcomed by City Minister Steve Barclay, who commented: “Using Siri to make payments is another step forward in making banking easier, quicker and more flexible for people across Britain.

“This is further proof that the UK is at the cutting edge of developing financial technology which truly delivers for consumers.”

To read other stories about business, accountancy, finance and entrepreneurship, visit the LSBF blog.

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