Westpac NZ launches first fully responsive online banking platform in Australasia

Westpac has launched online banking platform Westpac One, which it says will redefine the way customers are able to bank using mobile devices.

It is the first fully-responsive platform in New Zealand and one of only a handful in the world to offer easier, faster and more intuitive functionality across all devices – smartphones, tablets, and desktop, says Simon Pomeroy, chief digital officer at Westpac NZ.

He says using mobile devices, customers will have more capability than ever before to make and initiate payments (including international payments) and apply for or activate everyday banking products including accounts, home loans, personal loans, credit cards and term deposits. This includes getting an instant decision on a home loan, credit card or personal loan. Customers can search and filter payments across accounts using past, current and future timeframes.

By having a single platform we are able to introduce new developments a lot easier and more quickly so our customers are at the cutting edge of simple everyday banking. Simon Pomeroy, Westpac NZ

“No matter what device a customer is using they will be able to do more of their banking online, particularly through their smartphone and tablet,” says Pomeroy.

“Customers want total control over their banking and Westpac One is a significant step to our customers being able to do that. And, by having a single platform we are able to introduce new developments a lot easier and more quickly so our customers are at the cutting edge of simple everyday banking.”

Ongoing development

The development of Westpac One is ongoing, but one of its key features is the inclusion of crowd-sourced services. Users can immediately temporarily block and unblock credit cards if these have been lost or stolen.

New York financial tech start up Moven’s money management tools are also integrated into the platform giving users real-time insight and awareness of daily spend, with categorisation of spend and real time receipts coming in the near future.

One of its key features is the inclusion of crowd-sourced services. Users can immediately temporarily block and unblock credit cards if these have been lost or stolen.

Moven, along with everyday activities like checking balances and transferring money between accounts, will be made faster and easier with no need to log in once set up.

Pomeroy says more than 50,000 customers and staff for several months trialled this feature before the release. “The trial has enabled us to get excellent feedback to fine-tune and deliver what customers want and what we believe is a world leading experience.”

“Our refreshed mobile app will also allow access to check balances and make transfers between selected accounts without the need to log-in,” says Pomeroy. “Customers want easy and simple and that is what we have strived to deliver.”

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