In its Second Annual Fourthline Fraud & Authentication Report, findings reveal 78% of European consumers would accept slower bank verification checks in exchange for significantly less fraud risk; consistent across surveyed European markets and ages

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (1 October, 2026) – Europeans are turning against the decade-long push for faster, more frictionless banking. New research commissioned by Fourthline, Europe's leading identity services provider, found that 78% of consumers would accept a slower, more thorough verification process if it cut their risk of fraud.

Banks and fintechs have spent ten years stripping friction out of onboarding, but customers now say speed is not their top priority.

Acceptance is broad across every market surveyed, from 72% in the UK to 80% in the Netherlands, and across every age group, from 74% of 18–24s to 79% of over-55s.

The findings come from the second edition of Fourthline's Fraud and Authentication Report, which surveyed 6,000 adults in the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands. Opinium conducted the fieldwork in August 2026. The report tracks how trust, fraud exposure and appetite for security shift year on year.

UK respondents reported the highest trust in banks (83% trust their bank to handle their money securely) combined with the lowest tolerance for slower checks at 72%. Only 53% want their bank to explain why extra security is needed, demonstrating that while the UK may trust its banks, this has not translated into patience for compliance processes. 

Dutch consumers report the lowest trust in their banks at 64%, yet 80% would accept a slower process — the highest of any market surveyed. Scepticism about what banks intend does not extend to the security measures.

Germans accept, but on terms, as 78% would accept slower checks, but 71% need to know why the extra steps are needed. They are also the most likely to refuse a slower process, at 15% of survey respondents.

While friction in identity and verification processes is not inherently unpopular, unexplained friction is. Survey over survey, share of consumers willing to tolerate additional security protections has fallen sharply, from 55% to 42%. As appetite for security measures in the abstract cools, the willingness to accept a slower, more thorough verification process has held firm, as consumers increasingly ask for a clearer picture as to why additional verification checks are being implemented.

Across Europe, 18–24-year-olds are the least willing to accept a slower verification process (74%) despite more than one-fifth (22%) having been subject to financial fraud, as well as being the group most exposed to AI-generated scams (30%). 

Conversely, older consumers face the lowest risk of both financial fraud and AI-generated scams (13% and 8% respectively) but show the most patience when it comes to security and verification processes, with 79% in favour of a slower, more secure process. The people most exposed are the least patient

Fleur de Roos, Chief Operating Office, Fourthline said, “European customers say when it comes to security and identity verification, they want a meaningful process they understand. Speed is important but not the top priority. Accessing money securely should not feel like an obstacle, but it’s important that banks and financial institutions get these steps right in order to build trust and credibility with their customers, tailored to different market and demographic needs.”

For more information and to download the report: 2026 Fourthline Fraud & Authentication Report

Report Methodology:

Opinium Research surveyed 6,000 adults aged 18+ on behalf of Fourthline and Cognito, comprising nationally representative samples of 1,000 respondents in each of the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands. Fieldwork was conducted 24–31 August 2026. Results were weighted to be nationally representative on age and gender.

About Fourthline:

Fourthline is Europe's leading identity verification provider powering compliance solutions through proprietary AI technology. Founded in Amsterdam in 2017, Fourthline’s strength is reflected in its client roster including Revolut, N26, Trade Republic, Qonto, Scalable Capital, Scalapay, Raisin, Rabobank and Bitpanda. Through a single API integration, Fourthline enables financial institutions to maintain consistent compliance standards while supporting ambitious global expansion.