Media releases
Introducing ‘Westpac Keyboard’: Australia’s new social banking solution
28 March 2017
In an Australian banking first, Westpac customers can now access popular banking features while using social messaging apps such as Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Twitter, Snapchat and WeChat, as well as SMS [1].
“This is the ultimate mobile banking experience for people who love social media and messaging apps, and one of the biggest developments we’ve seen for years in Australia’s highly-competitive digital banking space,” said George Frazis, Westpac Group Chief Executive, Consumer Bank.
Westpac Keyboard pushes the boundaries of the traditional mobile and online banking environment by enabling customers to easily access their banking when they chat online with friends and family.
Customers no longer have to exit a social messaging or SMS screen to log into Westpac Live to make payments, or send their account details to their friends and family. Within social messaging and SMS screens, they can also create and send a Cardless Cash code (six-digits) to their contacts, which can be used to withdraw cash from any Westpac, St.George, Bank of Melbourne or BankSA ATM.
“We really want customers to be able to access their money in an efficient and convenient way, particularly when they socialise. With SMS and social messaging apps now an everyday part of our lives, it was time to close the gap between social media and mobile banking,” said Mr Frazis.
Recent data shows there are currently more than 10.5 million people using messaging apps in Australia, with 3.4 million using them as their primary form of contact [2].
“Once customers set up Westpac Keyboard through their Westpac Live Mobile app, they can simply tap the Westpac icon on their keyboard to seamlessly pay friends and contacts, all without leaving their messaging app,” said Travis Tyler, General Manager of Consumer Digital, Westpac Group.
Westpac Keyboard uses a secured payment keyboard developed by fintech start-up PayKey. Daniel Peled PayKey CEO said: “With Australia’s growing passion for social media, we are excited to partner with Westpac to bring our innovation to the Australian market.”
The launch builds on the Westpac Group’s strong history of digital innovations, as the first bank to introduce internet banking to Australia, and the first bank in the world to initiate fingerprint sign in to iPhone devices.
Westpac Keyboard is now available to customers using iOS (Apple) devices running iOS 9.0 and above. For more information, please visit www.westpac.com.au/keyboard.
[1] Social media applications can restrict access to third party keyboards at any time which would prevent access to the Westpac Keyboard within that application. The standard keyboard will then be selected for this application.
[2] Source: The Works Datafication August 2016 - http://datafication.com.au/australia-has-got-the-message/.
Notes to the editor
The Westpac Keyboard allows Pay Anyone payments to be made to existing payees that do not require additional authentication such as when making a first time payment to new or amended account details.