ANZ Bank has released a voice-authenticated payments facility to authorise high-value transactions via the bank’s mobile app.

The Voice ID update will allow ANZ customers to make secure payments of more than $1000 via the Grow by ANZ smartphone app.

The feature utilises Nuance’s voice biometric technology to authenticate high-value transactions, allowing ANZ banking customers to skip the traditional authorisation layers normally required to make +$1000 transfers.

Previously, customers wanting to make these transactions were required to log into their internet banking account via a browser, switch to the ANZ Shield app to attain a one-time authorisation code, and then switch back to the browser to finalise payment.

“Customers increasingly want the convenience of banking on their digital devices and this solution delivers that with the added level of voice biometric security,” said Peter Dalton, managing director customer experience and digital channels, ANZ.

“This is a significant security update that will make it easier for our customers to complete high-value transactions on their smartphones,” he said.

Moving forward, the bank expects to extend the Voice ID function across its digital channels.

The launch of the Voice ID function would be of particular benefit to small business customers many of whom make regular on-the-go payments of more than $1,000, according to Dalton.