Holland's ING has become the first bank in Europe to add a voice control mode to its mobile app, enabling customers to issue commands by speaking.
Rolling out to a select group of customers this month, the feature, dubbed Inge, is enabled through the set-up menu in the ING app. The app recognises the user's voice, letting them carry out various tasks by issuing commands. Initially, people will be able to check balances and give payment orders, with authorisations and login coming later in the year.
Max Mouwen, GM, internet and mobile ING Netherlands, says: "The feature makes it possible, for instance, to read out loud the requested IBAN number instead of typing it, which makes handling your banking affairs easier."
In the States, US Bank is piloting voice biometrics technology which allows customers to access their accounts by speaking into their mobile phones.