Consumer Identity Verification for CRC Consultation

Secure consumer authentication for online credit requests — compliant with Banco de Portugal requirements

Context

  • Client profile: Credit Institutions (Banks, Specialized Credit Institutions) with online credit operations
  • Regulatory body: Banco de Portugal (BdP)
  • Data source: Central de Responsabilidades de Crédito (CRC) — consumer credit information registry
  • Business process: Online credit requests requiring CRC consultation


Credit Institutions access consumer credit information at Banco de Portugal through the CRC (Central de Responsabilidades de Crédito) as part of their credit risk assessment process.

Challenge

The Banco de Portugal communicated to Credit Institutions a new requirement: confirm that users are who they claim to be when consulting CRC data for online credit requests.

Business Impact:

  • Increased drop-off risk — Additional verification steps in early funnel stages (before KYC/onboarding is complete)
  • User experience friction — Extra authentication barriers in digital credit journeys
  • Compliance urgency — Regulatory requirement from BdP with no optional workaround
The challenge: How to satisfy the BdP identity confirmation requirement without significantly impacting conversion rates in online credit applications?

Solution: bizAPIs Data Platform — Consumer Authentication Service

The bizAPIs Data Platform provides a consumer validation process based on Autoridade Tributária (AT) authentication that satisfies the Banco de Portugal requirement for CRC consultation.

Key Capabilities:

  • AT-based identity verification — Authentication via NIF/Password with 2FA support
  • Full audit trail — Complete logging of authentication events for compliance
  • Real-time response — Online service with response in seconds
  • API-first integration — REST API standard for easy integration
BenefitDescription
UI/UX ControlTotal control over consumer interface and experience — no redirects to third-party pages
Fast IntegrationConnect in minutes with any system: mobile apps, web platforms, AI agents
Security & ComplianceISO 27001:2022 (BSI) and ISO 9001:2015 (APCER) certified
SaaS ModelSubscription-based pricing with predictable costs

Key Capabilities:

The bizAPIs Data Platform has been validated as an adequate solution for the identification and authentication requirements for CRC consultation, in line with criteria accepted by Banco de Portugal.

“Se através da bizAPIs Data Platform houver uma garantia (e audit trail) da autenticação/identificação da pessoa que solicita uma simulação e sobre a qual é realizada uma consulta à CRC, esse poderá ser um formato aceite pelo Banco de Portugal.”

“Não vejo porque não possa ser utilizada para esse fim.”

— Secretário-Geral da ASFAC

Results

  • Regulatory compliance — Meets Banco de Portugal requirements for consumer identity confirmation in CRC consultations
  • Minimized drop-off — Authentication integrated seamlessly into existing credit application flows
  • Audit readiness — Complete audit trail for regulatory inspections
  • Fast time-to-compliance — API integration enables rapid deployment

Ready to implement compliant consumer identity verification?

Start the implementation of bizAPIs in your institution today.

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