Manila: State-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) now allows the opening of an account even without presenting a physical card. In a statement Friday, the bank said it recently rolled out a new identity verification feature powered by the National ID system.

According to Philippines News Agency, through facial biometric authentication linked to the Philippine Statistics Authority's (PSA) National ID Authentication Services (NIDAS), customers may securely verify their identity using the biometric information associated with their National ID registration. This advancement enables a faster and more convenient account opening experience, particularly benefiting individuals who may not have immediate access to physical identification cards.

The service is available through the LandBank Mobile Banking App (MBA) and across its 616 branches nationwide. Customers can conveniently open an account online through the MBA or visit any LandBank branch, where personnel can assist them in completing their identity verification through facial biometric authentication.

The initiative is part of the bank's efforts to expand access to banking services. "At LandBank, we are committed to making banking easier and more accessible for every Filipino. By leveraging the National ID system, we are removing barriers to account ownership and bringing more Filipinos into the formal financial system, especially those in underserved and unbanked communities," LandBank President and Chief Executive Officer Lynette Ortiz said.