Photo ID will no longer be required at teller counters once Capital G fully implements a new client verification system that will see all client photos stored on the bank?s computers.

The bank began scanning client identification into its computer system more than a year ago and has already collected identification from 60 percent of its clients. Plans are also in the works to move other client information such as account statements into electronic form so these will also be readily available upon client request.

Bank president Sarah Farrington said that the move to the new client verification stem partly from the introduction of the Proceeds of Crime Act in 1997 and partly from a desire to be more customer service-driven.

Mrs. Farrington said: ?Proceeds of Crime data required you to get certain documentation from your clients and what we were finding is that a lot of that really was a manual process and without it being available centrally often what would happen is you would have to then go and get it a second time if you were dealing with a different kind of product. We want to centralise everything and use it for customer service as well as due diligence so it is turning a requirement into what will be better customer service in the future.?

Electronic storage will also make it easier for the bank to implement its disaster recovery plan as documents can be moved more easily in electronic form and also realise cost efficiencies. The bank does not plan to scan all its old documents online, but Mrs. Farrington said having centralised electronic data will streamline some of the account opening documentation when current clients sign up for new products. It will also save time if clients wish to query their accounts.

?If a customer comes into query a transaction on their statement, what happens right now is we have to go and research and get a copy of the receipt,? she said. ?That information will be more readily available electronically which will save time for us and get the answer to the client more quickly.?