Hitachi's finger vein authentication technology uses light to read the unique pattern of veins inside the finger. The system is widespread in Japan, where more than 75,000 finger vein-based ATMs have been installed since 2006 but the Isbank deployment is the largest in Europe.

The bank has worked with technology vendor MIG International to install the authentication scanners in 2400 NCR and Wincor Nixdorf ATMs, enabling customers to withdraw cash without cards.

Another 1000 scanners have been rolled out in branches and Isbank now plans to extend its 'Biyokimlik' (Bio-identity) system to shops, creating the largest biometric point-of-sale network in the world. Trials are already underway with several merchants.

Hakan Aran, CIO, Isbank, says: "Our customers seem to be genuinely interested in the idea of using biometrics in banking and payments transactions and Isbank will continue to innovate with new services based on biometrics."