Zions Bancorp. announced the launch Wednesday of a biometric verification service for consumers who cash payroll and government checks at its branches.
It said Zions Express marks the first time a major financial institution has used a biometric tool to provide check-cashing services.
Zions said 12 branches in its home state of Utah and in Idaho will be the first to try out the service, which uses the Pay By Touch technology from Solidus Networks Inc. of San Francisco. It did not say how long the program would run.
The first time a consumer cashes a check using the service, the teller requires one form of valid identification, such as a driver's license, Zions said. The teller then scans the consumer's two index fingers, generating a mathematical description of the fingerprints, and takes an electronic photo of the consumer. On future visits the person need only use the finger's image to complete transactions, which can be linked to the individual.
