BankID
BankID is Norway's dominant electronic identification and electronic signature platform, serving 4.7 million users across banking, government, and 12,000+ public and private services through bank-issued credentials and a certified reseller network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersOslo, Norway
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What BankID does
BankID, operated by Stø AS (formerly BankID BankAxept AS), is Norway's dominant electronic identification and electronic signature platform, used by 4.7 million active users to log in, authenticate and sign across roughly 12,000 public and private services. The platform is built on OIDC, FIDO2/WebAuthn and CSC standards and integrates NFC passport reading with biometric liveness detection; it is self-declared at eIDAS High assurance and is Norway's only eID on the EU Trust List for Qualified Signatures and Qualified Timestamps. Core products are BankID Authentication (high and substantial security levels, password and biometrics), BankID Signing (qualified electronic signatures), BankID with Biometrics (FIDO2-based passwordless login), BankID Antifraud (behavioral fraud detection), ID Check (NFC + liveness identity verification), Qualified Timestamping, and the ID Card in BankID App for physical-world identification. The business earns transaction-based fees across authentication (0.95-1.34 NOK), signing (4.46 NOK), approval (2.99 NOK) and AML/KYC search (42-53 NOK per person/organization query), with reseller programs (8,300 NOK monthly subscription, 100,000 NOK establishment fee, 20% discount), plus tiered pricing for high-volume Safe Conversation biometric traffic.
Distribution is uniquely structured: Stø AS is owned by Norwegian banks, which act as issuing agents and primary touchpoints for end users, while certified resellers (Signicat, Scrive, IN Groupe, KOIA, Identisure, Zignsec, Idura) drive enterprise integration. The company serves four core segments: Norwegian banks, government services (Altinn, Helsenorge), private businesses needing KYC/AML and electronic signing, and individual consumers aged 12+. Recent strategy has shifted from pure infrastructure toward broader service provision, with acquisitions of Kundesjekk and Beaufort building AML/KYC capabilities, the 2024 Criipto acquisition enabling direct sales in Norway and Nordic/European reach, a 2023 rebrand to Stø AS consolidating new services under a unified corporate brand, and a 2025 platform consolidation making Stø AS the sole issuer of BankID.
BankID firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BankID
- Legal name
- Stø AS
- Website
- https://www.bankid.no/en
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- BankID is Norway's dominant electronic identification and electronic signature platform, serving 4.7 million users across banking, government, and 12,000+ public and private services through bank-issued credentials and a certified reseller network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BankID industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Identity and Electronic Identification
- NAICS
- Credit Bureaus (561450)
- SIC
- Functions Related To Depository Banking, Nec (6099)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Identity Verification (IDV) & Document Verification (FSAMALAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Identity & Authentication for Open Banking (SCA support, token exchange) (FSAGACAF)
Keywords
Where BankID is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oslo
- HQ country
- Norway
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
BankID business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Transaction-based Authentication and Signing: BankID charges per-transaction fees for authentication and signing services. Authentication at High level costs 1.34 NOK per transaction including NNIN, biometric authentication costs 0.95 NOK, signing costs 4.46 NOK, and approval costs 2.99 NOK. Billed monthly on a transaction basis with flat rates regardless of volume.
- AML and KYC Services: Anti-money laundering transaction search services. Single person search costs 42.16 NOK in Norway/Sweden/Finland, organization search costs 52.70 NOK. Continuous screening available at fixed prices based on customer portfolio size. Includes Norwegian, Swedish, and Finnish data.
- BankID Safe Conversation: Tiered pricing for high-volume biometric transaction users. Tier 1 (0-4,999 monthly): 3 NOK per transaction, Tier 2 (5,000-24,999): 2.5 NOK, Tier 3 (25,000+): 1.75 NOK. Custom agreements available for over 100,000 monthly transactions.
- Reseller Agreements: Resellers pay fixed monthly fee of 8,300 NOK plus one-time 100,000 NOK establishment fee. Resellers receive 20% discount on transaction pricing and are invoiced for products they sell to end customers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | Authentication - BankID High |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | Authentication - BankID with Biometrics |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | Signing |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | Approval |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | AML Single Search - Person |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | AML Single Search - Organization |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | Safe Conversation - Tier 1 |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | Safe Conversation - Tier 2 |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | Safe Conversation - Tier 3 |
| Subscription | Monthly | Reseller |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
BankID product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BankID provides a national electronic identification and qualified electronic signing platform used to securely authenticate users and sign documents across Norwegian banking, government, and commercial services. It also offers ancillary services including biometric authentication, NFC-based identity verification via passport chips, qualified timestamping, anti-fraud detection, and AML/KYC screening.
Product overview
BankID is Norway's leading digital identification and electronic signature platform, operated by Stø AS (formerly BankID BankAxept AS). The product portfolio centers on two core services: BankID Authentication for secure login and identity verification at High or Substantial eIDAS assurance levels, and BankID Signing for qualified electronic signatures legally valid across the EU/EEA. These core services are enhanced by add-on modules including BankID with Biometrics (passwordless authentication via FaceID/fingerprint/PIN), BankID Antifraud (real-time fraud detection via behavioral analysis), ID Check (NFC-based biometric identity verification using passport chips), Qualified Timestamping (EU-compliant timestamping for digital events), and ID Card in BankID App (mobile digital ID for physical verification). The ecosystem includes acquired brands Kundesjekk (KYC/AML services) and Idura/Criipto (Nordic e-ID broker), plus partner products like Identisure (caller authentication). BankID offers multiple integration methods for developers including OpenID Connect, CSC (Cloud Signature Consortium), and proprietary APIs, all documented at developer.bankid.no.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Stø: Parent brand for new services beyond BankID and BankAxept, including Kundesjekk (KYC/AML services) and ID-sjekk (pass verification services).
- BankAxept
- Kundesjekk
- ID-sjekk
Products and services
- BankID Authentication Secure electronic identification service for logging into websites and digital services at High or Substantial eIDAS assurance levels. Users authenticate via the BankID app using password or biometrics (FaceID, fingerprint, PIN), or via traditional code device. Supports OpenID Connect integration for developers and serves Norwegian banks, government portals, and commercial businesses.
- BankID Signing Qualified electronic signature service delivering signatures legally valid throughout the EU/EEA under eIDAS regulations. Offers multiple integration methods including OpenID Connect-based UI signing, CSC (Cloud Signature Consortium) API, WYSIWYS PDF signing, and B2B merchant signatures. Supports Qualified Electronic Signature (QES), Advanced Electronic Signature (AES), and Qualified Timestamps (QTS) within the signing flow.
- BankID with Biometrics Passwordless authentication using FaceID, fingerprint, or PIN through the BankID app. Built on FIDO2/WebAuthn standards, meeting Substantial eIDAS assurance and Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) requirements for PSD2 and 3D Secure. Used by over 3.3 million activated users in Norway.
- ID Check Digital identity verification service using NFC-based scanning of passports or national ID cards combined with biometric liveness detection. Users confirm identity by scanning their passport and face inside the BankID app, enabling secure onboarding and account recovery for banks and financial institutions.
- Qualified Timestamping Qualified timestamping service delivered by a Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP) under eIDAS regulations. Documents when digital events occurred with verifiable proof at the highest security level across the EU/EEA, supporting digital contracts, long-term archiving, and regulatory compliance.
- ID Card in BankID App Digital ID card feature within the BankID app allowing users to prove identity using a mobile phone in physical settings. Users can leave their passport at home when showing identification at stores, post offices, or going out. Accepted at NorgesGruppen chains (KIWI, Meny, Spar, Joker, Nærbutikken), Posten, and Vinmonopolet.
- AML/KYC Services Anti-Money Laundering and Know Your Customer services including single person searches across Norway, Sweden, and Finland, organization searches, and continuous monitoring. Supports PEP and sanctions list checks, owner mapping, customer risk classification, and account/address registry lookups to help financial institutions meet compliance obligations.
- Kundesjekk Web-based Know Your Customer and anti-money laundering compliance portal offering PEP and sanctions list checks, owner mapping, risk classification, and account/address registry lookups. Targeted at case handlers in financial institutions and regulated businesses; now operated as a wholly owned service of Stø AS.
- Idura (formerly Criipto) Digital identity broker offering direct BankID implementation and other Nordic e-ID solutions for businesses across Scandinavia and Europe. Provides a simple web-based interface allowing rapid integration (hours to one day) of BankID authentication and signing in customer applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- 4.7 million active users with 99% market coverage in Norway
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use BankID
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
BankID technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability3 records
Feature6 records
BankID partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and strategic.
- Criipto (now Idura)coreNorwegian BankID BankAxept acquired Danish eID broker Criipto to expand digital identity solutions in Europe. Criipto provides digital ID solutions across Nordic countries and Europe, enabling BankID to offer services directly in Norway and strengthen its position in the European digital identity market. Criipto operates as Idura under BankID BankAxept.
- iProovcoreiProov provides liveness detection technology used in BankID Norway's NFC-based identity verification. Combined with Signicat's ReadID platform, this technology achieved one million activations with zero fraud cases and 35% reduction in support calls.
- SignicatcoreSignicat provides the ReadID platform enabling NFC-based identity verification for BankID Norway. Europe's leading provider of electronic identity and signatures, Signicat is also a certified BankID reseller offering authentication and signing services.
- IN Groupe (formerly Nets Trust Services)majorIN Groupe Trust Services offers BankID authentication and signing through its established trust services platform. With over 20 years of experience handling sensitive data, they provide certified services according to EU regulations including GDPR and eIDAS 2.0.
- ScrivemajorScrive provides electronic signing and BankID authentication services. Offers electronic trust services in accordance with EU eIDAS regulation and supports all levels of electronic signatures. Provider of Norwegian BankID and other Nordic ID solutions.
- SignicatcoreEurope's leading provider of electronic identity and signatures. Largest provider of BankID in Norway, offering both signing and authentication with BankID and BankID on mobile. Serves banks, financial institutions, insurance, public agencies, and businesses.
- KOIA SoftwaremajorKOIA aims to provide the easiest BankID authentication and signing process in Norway with a price guarantee. Software house providing development and maintenance for Norwegian clients primarily in regulated fintech and health industry.
- IdentisuremajorIdentisure specializes in BankID Caller Authentication, enabling businesses to verify customer identity over the phone using facial recognition or fingerprint in the BankID app. Web-based service requiring no integration, compatible with ITX, Zisson, Telavox, Salesforce, and Zendesk.
- ZignsecmajorZignsec provides seamless BankID authentication spanning the entire client lifecycle from compliant onboarding to secure login, monitoring, and entity verification. Helps differentiate genuine customers from fraudsters.
- KundesjekkcoreKundesjekk.no is a popular case handler portal for customer control and KYC. Acquired by BankID BankAxept to strengthen anti-money laundering services. Offers owner mapping, PEP and sanctions list lookups, and customer risk classification.
- BeaufortcoreBankID BankAxept acquired Beaufort to strengthen anti-money laundering capabilities. Combined with Kundesjekk, this makes BankID one of the fastest growing actors in the Norwegian anti-money laundering services market.
- VisastrategicRiksbank has initiated dialogue with Visa to shift card payment settlement from privately owned foreign commercial banks to its RIX central bank system, which would reduce credit risk given the central bank cannot go bankrupt.
- MastercardstrategicRiksbank has initiated dialogue with Mastercard to shift card payment settlement from privately owned foreign commercial banks to its RIX central bank system.
Scale indicators18 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
BankID competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Scrive: Nordic eID and electronic signing provider offering BankID authentication and signing services. Operates in the same electronic trust services category under eIDAS regulation across Nordic countries.
- Idura (formerly Criipto): Nordic e-ID broker providing BankID implementation services across Nordic countries and Europe. Now a subsidiary of BankID (Stø AS), but operates as a distinct brand offering multi-eID brokerage.
- Signicat: Europe's leading digital identity and e-signature provider, certified BankID reseller offering authentication and signing services. Operates in the same Nordic eID broker space and is a direct technology partner via its ReadID platform used for BankID's NFC verification.
- Zignsec: Nordic digital identity verification provider offering BankID authentication across the client lifecycle from onboarding to login and entity verification. Competes in the same eID aggregation space.
Regional players
- itsme: Belgian mobile identity app offering eIDAS-qualified authentication and signing. Operates a comparable bank-issued, government-recognized national eID model similar to BankID's Norwegian structure.
- Freja eID: Sweden's national eID operated by Verisec, offering eIDAS-compliant identity services similar to BankID. Competes in adjacent Nordic market with comparable authentication and signing use cases.
- Vipps: Norwegian mobile payment platform owned by Norwegian banks. While primarily a payments app, it integrates with BankID for authentication and represents both a partner and adjacent identity-adjacent service in Norway.
- MitID: Denmark's national electronic identification system, the dominant eID for Danish citizens. Functionally analogous to BankID in Norway with similar bank-issued, government-recognized eID model.
Broad incumbents
- Onfido: Global identity verification provider offering document and biometric verification. Competes with BankID's ID Check service in KYC/AML use cases for Nordic and European markets.
- IN Groupe (formerly Nets Trust Services): European digital identity and trust services provider certified for eIDAS 2.0 and GDPR. Offers BankID authentication through its established trust services platform with 20+ years of experience in sensitive identity data.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
BankID social profiles
Digital presenceBankID compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
BankID financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BankID leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
BankID subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
BankID funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BankID M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BankID
What does BankID do?
BankID provides a national electronic identification and qualified electronic signing platform used to securely authenticate users and sign documents across Norwegian banking, government, and commercial services. It also offers ancillary services including biometric authentication, NFC-based identity verification via passport chips, qualified timestamping, anti-fraud detection, and AML/KYC screening.
Is BankID a public or private company?
BankID is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was BankID founded?
BankID was founded in 2014.
Where is BankID based?
BankID is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, in the Europe region.
How does BankID make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Transaction-based Authentication and Signing is the primary driver. The others are AML and KYC Services, bankID Safe Conversation and reseller Agreements.
Who are BankID's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Scrive, Idura (formerly Criipto), Signicat and Zignsec. Regional players are itsme, Freja eID, Vipps and MitID. Broad incumbents are Onfido and IN Groupe (formerly Nets Trust Services).
Does BankID have an API?
Yes. BankID offers multiple APIs for developers: 1) BankID OpenID Connect (OIDC) Provider - an industry-standard interface for authentication and identity services, supporting flows including Authorization Code, Client Initiated Backchannel Authentication (CIBA), with features like session handling, token management, and key rotation. 2) BankID Signing API - supports Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) with qualified certificates, Advanced Electronic Signature (AES), Qualified Timestamp (QTS), and Verified Confirmation. Available via WYSIWYS (What You See Is What You Sign) merchant API for PDF signing, CSC (Cloud Signature Consortium) standard for cloud-based digital signatures, and B2B API for merchant signatures. 3) BankID Antifraud API - provides fraud detection with CloudEvents/webhook integration for receiving fraud alarms and alarm feedback. 4) Timestamping API - provides qualified timestamping service. Integration supports PKI trust services with OCSP validation, CRL validation, and certificate profiles. Documentation available at developer.bankid.no covering authentication, signing, biometrics (WebAuthn-based), and anti-fraud services. Developer documentation is at developer.bankid.no.
What industry is BankID in?
BankID's product category is Digital Identity and Electronic Identification. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAMALAE, Identity Verification (IDV) & Document Verification, with a secondary code of FSAGACAF, Identity & Authentication for Open Banking (SCA support, token exchange). Its NAICS code is 561450 and its SIC code is 6099.