Face-Scanning ATM Tests In Baltimore

A Baltimore credit union is about to go live with an ATM that authenticates customers with facial recognition, according to Credit Union Journal.

Securityplus Federal Credit Union is installing the biometric ATM at one of its seven branches. Instead of calling in each member for a photo session, the ATM will snap a picture after members enter their eight-digit PIN. When the member later returns to the ATM for another transition, if the face is deemed a match, the transaction is granted without requiring the PIN again.

If there are multiple transactions, the system continually scans the member’s face. If a new face appears, the transaction stops. Every transaction is also recorded with video.

Over time, members may need have new pictures taken to replace outdated images. “The software doesn’t care if you are wearing a hat or if your hairstyle changes, it is looking at your face,” said Securityplus FCU Senior Systems Engineer Mike Adams. “In the case of a man, a full ‘Duck Dynasty’ beard opposed to a nice clean shave — the kiosk will likely not recognize that member.”

After months of testing with 15 employees, Adams said he’s confident that most of the credit union’s 30,000 members will be able to walk up to the ATM for the first time, quickly register their image and conduct a transition without assistance. But if anything goes wrong, members will still be able to use the ATM by entering their PIN.