Banks are flocking to biometrics to secure access to mobile applications. USAA, Tangerine, US Bank and Wells Fargo are just a few of the financial institutions that are enabling biometrics on mobile devices for access to mobile apps.

Jeremy Grant, former senior executive advisor for the National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace, has joined the Chertoff Group, a risk management and merger and acquisition advisory services as a managing director.

MasterCard is looking at biometrics as a way to cut down on transaction fraud. The payment company will pilot a system that enables customer to choose between fingerprint or facial recognition to confirm a transaction.

Facial recognition biometrics is experiencing a period of growth; the FIDO Alliance adds NFC and Bluetooth to the FIDO 1.0 specifications; Precise Biometrics partnered with Fingerprint Cards to have Precise BioMatch Mobile integrated into two new smartphones from Chinese manufacturers.

Hundreds of thousands of refugees are finding assistance – and something unexpected – in safe camps around the world: a biometric identity they can use long after they move on. These permanent biometric records are being created by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, better known as the UN Refugee Agency.

The Israel Diamond Exchange has deployed FST Biometrics secure access solution at the entry point of its new polishing house; Telaeris adds biometric identification to its handheld line of products; Crossmatch announced enhanced functionality of its DigitalPersona Altus strong, multi-factor authentication solution.

Financial institutions are adding different authentication mechanism for consumers. Chase is enabling consumers to check account information with a fingerprint and Bank of America will be rolling out additional security mechanisms as well.