First Bank Partners with Crossmatch to Increase Log In Security

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., Dec. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Crossmatch™, a leading provider of biometric identity management solutions, today announced that its DigitalPersona^® Pro Enterprise software and U.are.U^® 4500 fingerprint readers have been deployed throughout First Bank branch locations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. First Bank, a progressive community bank network headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina, selected the Crossmatch biometrics-based solution primarily to meet strict log in requirements for its hosted core banking system.

Founded in 1935, First Bank has more than $3.2 billion in assets and serves more than 162,000 customers. Prior to implementing the Crossmatch solution in early 2014, First Bank's more than 850 full- and part-time employees needed to remember and enter strong and complex passwords to access their banking system and applications. Further impeding productivity, passwords had to be changed every 30 days, consuming up to 30 minutes of each employee's time. First Bank's help desk was routinely directed away from business-building activities to reset forgotten passwords.

First Bank selected Crossmatch as the best overall solution to meet its needs. In addition to providing a fast and secure way to log onto their core system and applications, the Crossmatch solution allows First bank to centrally manage password templates and store credentials. As a result, employees can now log into any workstation with a simple touch of their finger and their credentials follow them no matter where they are working in the branch.

"Implementing biometrics has increased our security and enhanced our productivity," said Kevin DiLoreto, assistant vice president and I.T. business analyst at First Bank. "It now only takes on average 15 seconds to change a password versus the potential of 15+ minutes. That's a pretty powerful improvement. Also, our help desk calls for password resets have significantly decreased."

While meeting requirements for their core banking system was the primary driver for adopting the Crossmatch solution, First Bank has expanded the use of this biometrics-based technology to 76 web applications across its enterprise. Today, more than 90 percent of First Bank's employees use the Crossmatch solution.

"Financial institutions around the world are using Crossmatch solutions to meet the security requirements of their core banking platforms," said Richard Agostinelli, CEO at Crossmatch.  "Our biometrics-based solutions empower financial institutions to prevent theft, drive operational efficiency, mitigate costly data breaches and comply with ever-changing industry regulations."

About Crossmatch
Crossmatch helps organizations solve their identity management challenges through biometrics. We empower governments, law enforcement agencies, banks, retailers and other enterprises to mitigate risk, drive productivity and improve service levels. Our solutions are built on consultative expertise, refined best practices and the application of advanced biometrics technologies. Crossmatch understands the forces of change in the markets we serve and we develop solutions that anticipate customer requirements. Our network of consultative and technical service experts collaborate with customers in more than 80 countries worldwide. Learn more at www.crossmatch.com.

About First Bank
First Bank is a state-chartered community bank that currently operates more than 80 branches across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Headquartered in Southern Pines, NC, First Bank has a legacy of customer- and community-centric financial service dating back to 1935. Visit LocalFirstBank.com to learn more.

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SOURCE Crossmatch