BankID

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.

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

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

• Digital identity verification
• Electronic signature services
• Biometric authentication
• EIDAS qualified signing
• Identity and access management

Headquarters

HQ city

Oslo

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core 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

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and strategic.

• Criipto (now Idura)coreTechnology or Integration · 26 September 2024Norwegian 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.
• iProovcoreTechnology or IntegrationiProov 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.
• SignicatcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSignicat 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)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIN 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.
• ScrivemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorScrive 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.
• SignicatcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEurope'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 SoftwaremajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKOIA 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.
• IdentisuremajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIdentisure 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.
• ZignsecmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorZignsec 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.
• KundesjekkcoreTechnology or IntegrationKundesjekk.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.
• BeaufortcoreTechnology or IntegrationBankID 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.
• VisastrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerRiksbank 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.
• MastercardstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerRiksbank 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/bankidnorge
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@bankid_no
• Facebookfacebook.com/BankIDNorge
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stoe-as
• Instagraminstagram.com/bankid_norge
• TikToktiktok.com/@bankidnorge

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BankID