Chinese Bank Deploys ATMs with Finger Vein Authentication

In a rare implementation of finger vein authentication, Bank of Lanzhou, in the Gansu province of China, has begun the full-scale deployment of ATMs that use finger scanners to verify users' identity.

Tokyo-based OKI and its Shenzhen affiliate OKI Electric Industry are handling the implementation of the new ATM technology.

It marks the first time OKI, one of Japan's oldest telecommunications manufacturers (it was founded in 1881), has delivered ATMs that use finger vein authentication to a Chinese bank. It's one of the few installations of ATMs equipped with biometric security in the world.

The technology combines a cash-recycling machine from OKI (ATM-Recycler G7) with finger vein authentication co-developed with authentication technology provider mofiria Corporation.

Bank of Lanzhou tested OKI's technology throughout China before deploying the ATMs.

The biometrics should provide higher transaction safety during cash withdrawals, without requiring cash cards.

Finger vein pattern authentication is designed to minimize authentication time and help prevent forgery and identity theft, which according to OKI are growing concerns for Chinese banks.

OKI said it plans to provide the ATM security software to other buyers in China as well as to other overseas markets.

So far biometric technology is being tested by various U.S. banks, but none have tried finger vein authentication technology on their ATMs.

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