VTB learned what Russians choose: biometrics or passwords?

      May 20, 2026 11:05 Society Almost 70% of Russians are ready to use biometrics in finance, according to a survey* conducted by VTB. When asked which is more convenient—biometrics or passwords, PIN codes, or SMS—one-third of Russians chose biometrics, while 39% reported that all methods are equally acceptable to them. Only 28% would prefer to wait for a code via SMS. Among the most sought-after biometric services in finance, Russians named access to online banking and transaction confirmation by face (44%**)—this guarantees that fraudsters cannot use the money instead of the account owner. Respondents also noted biometrics for secure document signing without an office visit (31%), obtaining loans (29%), and paying for purchases and transport (also 29%). 25% of respondents have come to trust banking biometrics more over the past year and have not heard of any cases where fraudsters managed to bypass this protection. 18% of those surveyed noted that over the past year they began using biometrics for payments, logging into applications, and other operations. Another 38% admitted that they have seen others using biometrics more frequently in daily finances and consider it convenient.

      "We see how gradually the attitude of Russians towards biometric services is changing as they penetrate everyday life. The more services that simplify access to finances, purchases, transaction confirmations, and document signing emerge, the greater the interest and willingness to use them. The bank builds trust in the most modern solutions that are convenient for clients. At the same time, in the case of biometrics, Russians value security the most—every second person named it as the most important factor when choosing a payment method. Russians also positively assessed the convenience and speed of such services, where one can forget both the card and the phone at home," said Alexey Kurzyakov, head of the digital business department at VTB.

      * The survey was conducted in April 2026 among 1,500 respondents living in major cities of Russia. **Multiple answers were allowed. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When republishing, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+