New HSBC customers can verify accounts by taking a 'selfie'

HSBC will now allow customers to verify their identities when opening an account by taking a selfie, reports Business Insider.

Much like apartment-sharing app Airbnb, the bank will give customers the option of taking a headshot on their phone to complete an ID security check as part of the company's mobile banking app. The function would replace other security methods, such as registering a fingerprint or a password.

The bank hopes that the new facial tracking technology will streamline the process of opening an account. In recent years, banks have worked to implement biometrics to improve their security processes and prevent hacking and ID fraud.