Most European consumers are willing to trade faster onboarding for stronger fraud protections when opening or using bank accounts, according to a new pan‑European survey commissioned by identity‑verification provider Fourthline.
Majority accept slower checks if fraud risk falls
Fourthline’s second Fraud and Authentication Report, based on responses from 6,000 adults across the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands, found that 78% of respondents would accept a slower, more thorough verification process if it substantially reduces the risk of fraud. The fieldwork was carried out by Opinium in August 2026.
National and age differences
- Acceptance was broadly consistent across markets, ranging from 72% in the UK to 80% in the Netherlands.
- Younger adults (18–24) were slightly less tolerant of slower checks (74%), while the 55+ group showed the most patience (79%).
- Exposure to fraud and AI‑generated scams was higher among younger respondents: about 22% of 18–24‑year‑olds reported having experienced financial fraud, and roughly 30% said they had encountered AI‑generated scams. Older respondents reported lower exposure (around 13% and 8% respectively) and were more willing to accept extra verification steps.
Trust in banks doesn’t always equal patience
The study highlights a nuanced relationship between trust and tolerance for friction. UK consumers expressed the highest trust in their banks’ ability to keep money safe (83%) but were the least tolerant of slower verification (72%), and only around half wanted an explicit explanation from their bank when extra security was introduced. Conversely, Dutch respondents reported the lowest trust in banks (64%) yet were the most willing to endure slower checks (80%).
Clarity beats unexplained friction
Fourthline’s report suggests that customers do not object to security checks per se, but they resist unexplained or poorly communicated friction. Support for unspecified additional security measures fell sharply compared with the previous survey wave — from 55% to 42% — while willingness to complete a slower, more thorough process remains high when institutions clearly explain the reasons for the extra steps.
What this means for banks and fintechs
As banks and fintechs reassess onboarding and compliance flows, the findings imply that financial institutions should prioritise transparent communication about the purpose of extra identity and fraud‑prevention steps. Providers of identity services that balance user experience with robust checks may find demand for solutions that can signal both security and clarity to customers.
Fleur de Roos, Fourthline’s Chief Operating Officer, said the results underline that “security should not feel like an obstacle” and that verification processes must be designed to build trust across markets and age groups.
Methodology
Opinium Research conducted the survey on behalf of Fourthline and Cognito between 24 and 31 August 2026. The total sample comprised 6,000 adults (1,000 per market) and was weighted by age and gender to achieve national representativeness.
Fourthline is an Amsterdam‑based identity‑verification company that provides compliance tools and AI‑driven identity checks to banks and fintechs across Europe.
Source: Original press release
