ADCB is the world’s first bank to offer voice authentication

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank "ADCB", a U.A.E. major banks, will soon offer voice biometrics as a means to authenticate customers and allow them to perform banking transactions via phone or mobile devices more easily and securely. With this, ADCB is the first bank in the world to offer voice biometrics in Arabic, English and Hindi.
ADCB says it will simplify this experience using the secure voice biometrics technology to allow customers to simply speak and be taken at their word- no PINs, passwords or probing security questions. The voice biometrics technology compares the customer's spoken passphrase to a registered voiceprint. Once matched, it authenticates and permits the customer to proceed with the banking transactions. This is safe, secure and reduces the chances of fraud. ADCB has partnered with Nuance Communications Inc. to implement this system for their retail banking operations in U.A.E.
"ADCB has always been committed to bringing in new technology and innovation to customers' advantage and introduction of this new system is an extension of this commitment. Our decision to invest in this new technology was primarily driven by the key objective of enhancing the everyday banking experience for our customers" said Arup Mukhopadhyay, Head-Consumer Banking Group of ADCB.
Today, when customers call a bank to access their account, they are asked to prove their identity through a set of complex security questions – what the industry refers to as ‘knowledge-based authentication.' "In this competitive environment we need to make sure that Customer Convenience and ease of access are effectively balanced with Information and Transaction Security. The voice biometrics technology will play a vital role in ensuring increased security and convenience at the same time whilst making client calls shorter and reducing our overall cost to serve," said Ravi Nair, Head –Customer Experience.
"With voice biometrics, banks have a real opportunity to change their customer experience for the better, while at the same time providing a high level of security," said Robert Weideman, executive vice president and general manager for the Enterprise Division of Nuance. "Our voice biometrics technology offers a dependable solution for companies like ADCB who truly value customer convenience in a quickly-evolving digital banking environment."
Source: WAM