Banks

Biometric requirements (usually facial recognition) for opening an account with various banks and building societies.

Bank of Scotland

(Same group as Lloyds and Halifax)

Switched online from another bank in August 2026, and they didn't require ANY identification at all. I never had to upload a copy of my passport. Never went into a branch. Really odd.

Log in with username and password. They did require a phone number and no option was provided for a physical 2fa device like some other banks provide, so annoyingly I had to get an SMS verification code every time I wanted to log in.

Barclays

Tried to switch in August 2026 for a switch bonus valid only for opening an account in the mobile app. Phone number required, and then they wanted to scan my face in the mobile app. The alternative option they provided was to go into a branch to show your ID. I went into a branch and was told I needed to book an appointment for this. I booked an appointment for a few days later, but it turned out that they wanted to point a webcam with me and do basically the same face scanning thing as in the mobile app. They said they just needed to take a photo of me holding my passport to prove I was there, but I declined and left.