Starting from 1 September 2022 FBC customers using the bank’s internet banking platform will be now required to use two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever they try to log in. This means that it will not be enough to just know your banking username and password. You will also be required to enter a six-digit one-time pin (OTP) sent to your phone and email every time you correctly enter your password and username. Without the OTP you will not be able to log in and transact.

Dear Valued Client,

We are pleased to advise of the implementation of an extra security feature/ layer on the FBC Internet Banking Platform at login termed Two Factor Authentication (2FA). The new exciting feature will be deployed on the platform effective 1 September 2022
Part of the bronchure emailed to customers

So in other words the login process for FBC has changed. Prior to this, you needed to do the following:

Visit the internet banking login page
Enter your username and password
Login and transact.

Now you need to do the following instead:

Visit the internet banking login page
Enter your username and password
When you click on the login button you will not be logged in as before. Instead, you will be taken to another page where you will have to enter your OTP.
The OTP is sent to you via email and SMS (to your registered number)
If you enter the correct six-digit OTP you will be logged in. If you do not enter the correct OTP you will be denied access to online banking.

A much-needed layer of security

This is a much-needed layer of security. In an increasingly digital world, even a strong password is not enough. There are ways for bad actors to steal and get your credentials even when you have a strong password. With 2FA there is a layer that thwarts most such attacks. FBC already had 2FA checks whenever you tried to add a beneficiary to your online banking account. This development makes the platform even more secure.