February 18, 2015 - RBS and NatWest have introduced Apple's Touch ID for fingerprint log-in to mobile apps on the iPhone.Claiming a UK banking first, RBS says the technology is being rolled out in response to feedback from customers on its online community forum, 'Ideas Bank'.

Royal Bank of Scotland has branded the mobile phone as its 'busiest branch', claiming over 167,000 of RBS and NatWest’s customers use it between 7am and 8am on their commute to work every day.

Nearly 50% of the banks’ 15m customers actively use online banking, with over 3m customers using the mobile app every week. RBS and NatWest have 1.8m active iPhone users who use the app on average 40 times per month.

Stuart Haire, managing director, RBS and NatWest Direct Bank says: “There has been a revolution in banking, as more and more of our customers are using digital technology to bank with us. Adding Touch ID to our mobile banking app makes it even easier and more convenient for customers to manage their finances on the move and directly responds to their requests."

While the bank claims a UK consumer first in the mobile arena, high street rival Barclays in September last year said it plans to enable corporate customers to log into their online accounts by scanning their fingers with biometric readers that use vein authentication technology from Hitachi.

Growing public acceptance of biometric technology is exemplified by this tweet from USAA's Neff Hudson shortly after the bank announced plans to begin trials of voice and fracial recognition for mobile access.