Nationwide Building Society has rolled out a significant new feature for its members, allowing them to use a selfie to confirm their identity for certain transactions instead of relying on a physical card reader.
How the new selfie verification works
The change, confirmed by the building society, applies specifically when customers are sending money to accounts they haven't paid before. Typically, this security step has required the use of a card reader, a small device that generates a one-time passcode. Now, eligible app users can opt for a facial verification process.
To make the switch, customers must log into their Nationwide account and navigate to their profile and settings. From there, they can select the option to 'remove the card reader' and follow the on-screen instructions. The card reader will be needed one final time to authorise this change itself, after which the selfie option becomes available.
A secure and optional alternative
Nationwide has stressed that this new method is entirely optional. Members who prefer the familiarity and security of the card reader can continue to use it without any changes to their routine. The selfie authentication is designed to provide a secure and seamless banking experience for those who want it.
A spokesperson for Nationwide said: “Last year we introduced selfie authentication for app users to provide a secure and seamless banking experience. For those who want this and pass the checks, this means app users won’t need to use a card reader if they don’t want to.”
What this means for customers
The introduction of selfie-based verification represents a move towards more convenient, app-centric banking security. The technology uses the customer's smartphone camera to capture an image, which is then checked against the building society's records to confirm the account holder's identity, helping to prevent fraud by unknown parties.
This update, announced in January 2026, is part of a broader industry trend of leveraging biometric technology for customer authentication. It aims to simplify processes for tech-savvy users while maintaining robust security standards for financial transactions.
