Westpac announces fingerprint technology for new online banking system

Westpac customers will be able to use their fingerprint to securely sign into the bank’s new mobile app, Westpac Live.

Westpac customers who use an iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S5 or Note 4 will have access to the new feature, which the bank said will provide further security and convenience for the increasing number of people using their smartphones to perform tasks such as paying bills and transferring money.

While fingerprint technology is currently used on Apple devices, the bank will be the first in the world to provide fingerprint sign in for Android when the feature launches in January 2015.

Westpac group executive Jason Yetton said the company was excited to be at the forefront of mobile banking innovation.

“Our customers are increasingly demanding a greater end-to-end experience and greater consistency when accessing their bank accounts via their mobile, their iPad, their PC and we are constantly innovating to deliver this,” he said.

“With this in mind, we will be releasing new features for Westpac Live including the ability to share access to your accounts with others, view accounts in foreign currency, and a range of convenient self-service options.”

Westpac Live was launched in May this year, and is used by 2.9 million customers across Australia.

The app was named Best Innovative Online Banking Service in Money Magazine’s 2015 Best of the Best Innovation awards.

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