Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria : BBVA launches facial recognition payments

The system builds on the drive the bank announced earlier this year to deliver payment methods based on biometric data, to make paying for things at stores 'invisible'.

The newly deployed system -currently being offered to thousands of employees at BBVA's headquarters in Madrid- uses the facial recognition system developed by the startup Veridas - a JV of BBVA and Das-Nano.

Customers in the bank's restaurants simply have to smile (or not, depending on their mood) at a camera booth next to the cash registers, and provided they have registered, the system identifies them and automatically bills the customer for the purchase.

In the bank's cafes, colleagues can also use the dedicated Selfie & Go app to order their drinks ahead, with the system automatically charging the customer when they collect.

For the customer, these technologies speed up both the sales and ordering process, reducing the need to stand in lines or put down what they are carrying to find their payments cards or cash.

But, and with their consent, it also allows the retailer to push promotions to them - such as a free coffee with their meal, or a buy-nine-get-the-tenth-for-free deal.

For the retailer, it saves them time and helps increases sales by making the process of buying and paying for something quicker and more efficient.