The Cumberland Building Society has added a new feature to its mobile banking app – fingerprint recognition.

The change means that it is now possible for business and personal customers of the Carlisle-based company to stop using passcodes to log into their online accounts.

The feature – known as Touch ID – is included in the iOS version of the app and can be used on the iPhone 5 and all later editions of the Apple device. The building society is also developing a version for Android phones.

Alex Windle, marketing director at the Cumberland, said: “Mobile banking is the norm, so we’re delighted to now offer our enhanced app to both personal and business banking customers.

“With the integration of Touch ID, iOS users of our app will also benefit from a quick, easy, and safe log-in option.”

This app update has been designed to open up the mobile banking platform to the Cumberland’s business banking customers. It is already popular with personal account holders.

The app allows customers to check account balances, view transaction history, transfer money between accounts and pay bills.

Users can also send secure messages to the Cumberland and arrange face-to-face appointments with advisers at a branch of their choice.

Mr Windle added: “We firmly believe our banking products and services offer a real alternative to the high street banks, and these enhancements are further evidence of our commitment to evolving our online experience.

“And while our customers can enjoy convenient, easy-to-use and secure digital banking, they can still choose to visit their friendly, local branch or speak to our customer services team in Carlisle when they need to.”

The Cumberland is the largest building society in Cumbria and the 10th largest in the UK. It has 34 branches which are in Cumbria, south west Scotland, North Lancashire and Northumberland. Its headquarters are in Kingstown, Carlisle, and it has more than 140,000 customers.