Westpac brings bank transacting to text messaging

Industry experts: Amazon Alexa will transform the way brands engage with consumersWestpac customers will now have the opportunity to undertake banking transactions while text messaging after the banking giant announced new capabilities for Apple’s iMessage.

In what it’s claiming as a banking first in Australia, Westpac’s new iMessage shortcut will allow customers to make payments, generate a cashless card code and share their bank details digitally while still within a text message.

The new functionality is an extension of the Westpac mobile banking app and comes just a day after the bank also announced its first ‘skill’ for Amazon’s voice interaction platform, Alexa. Initially, the voice-based skill is limited to information-based queries around accounts.

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To use the iMessage payments capability, users tap the Westpac icon, sign in with their password, confirm a payment and then send a text message to the payee with details. It’s compatible with phones on iOS11 and with the latest version of the Westpac mobile app.

Westpac chief executive of consumer bank, George Franzis, said the aim of the game is seamless transacting.

“Our customers want a swift, secure banking experience that fits with their lifestyle and we are always exploring ways to enhance our services,” he said. “It makes sense to pair banking and texting together - these services are an everyday part of Australians’ lives.

“We are keen to give our customers a broad range of choice when it comes to banking and we know digital developments like Westpac for iMessage will be welcome news.”   

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