Standard Bank today announced plans to embrace
wearable technology, with the forthcoming release of its Apple Watch banking
app.In another first for banking in South Africa, Standard
Bank’s Apple Watch app is currently being tested with pilot users and will be
available to the general public by the end of September 2015. It follows
Standard Bank’s
recent launch of SA’s first biometric-enabled banking app – giving users
access to smartphone banking using Apple’s Touch ID technology.
“We are continuously looking for ways to make our
customers’ lives easier and to make banking a seamless part of their daily
lives. With our smart watch app we are providing greater choice to
customers about how they would like to stay in control of their finances,” says
Magnus Taljaard, Head of Digital Customer Solutions at Standard Bank.
The first version of the Standard Bank’s Apple Watch
app will contain a Balance
Peek feature – allowing users
to check their latest account balance without having to log into internet
banking or their smartphone app.
“Balance Peek on smart watches is perfect for those
moments when you need to quickly and unobtrusively check your balance,” explains
Mr. Taljaard.
“The Apple Watch app will be followed by similar roll outs for Android Wear-enabled watches later in the year,” Mr. Taljaard
adds.
As more users start embracing smart watches and other
forms of wearable personal technology, Standard Bank will continue to work with
customers to understand their requirements and develop a road map of banking
features for wearable. Importantly, as with any new customer solution,
privacy and security issues are high on the bank’s agenda. For this reason, users are
able to de-link their Apple Watch from their iPhone, as well as to toggle the Balance
Peek feature on or off from
the main banking app.
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