A smartwatch banking app developed in partnership with Bath-based software company IPL for the world’s largest building society, Nationwide, has been selected as a finalist in two major categories of the 2015 FStech awards.
The cutting-edge smartwatch app enabled the Society to become the UK’s first financial service provider to offer its customers real-time balances on Android watches.
The app has been shortlisted for ‘Best use of mobile’ and ‘Financial sector innovation of the year’. It works in conjunction with Nationwide’s Android app, developed with IPL, a systems integrator specialising in digital innovation, to enable customers to check how much is in their account, without needing to get out their phone or sign into the app.
Voice-controlled
Built in less than a month, the app uses voice recognition to give people hands-free access to their balance on their smartwatch screen. You can see more about how the app works in the video below:
http://youtu.be/67qDErtZCio
Tony Prestedge, Chief Operating Officer at Nationwide said of the watch at its launch in November: “Providing customers with a variety of ways to manage their money, whenever and how ever they want is a priority for us. Giving those members who want and have the technology the ability to check their balance on their watch provides them with even more choice as to how they interact with us.”
The smartwatch app is part of Nationwide’s acclaimed digital transformation, which has seen it deliver an award-winning online bank, a series of mobile apps for customers and mortgage intermediaries, 24/7 customer service via Twitter, as well as becoming the first UK organisation to offer Visa’s V.me mobile wallet.
The latest step in a digital journey
Kate Watson, Nationwide’s Head of Customer Experience Engagement, said: “Digital is all about giving people easier and more convenient ways to manage their money, and the smartwatch capability is the latest step in our journey. IPL continues to play an important role in helping us achieve our digital aims and their staff consistently go the extra mile.”
“We’re extremely proud to have pulled out all the stops to again help Nationwide get cutting-edge digital capability out there ahead of their competition”
David Shepherd, Delivery Director at IPL, added: “First mover advantage is immensely important in this competitive market, and we’re extremely proud to have pulled out all the stops to again help Nationwide get cutting-edge digital capability out there ahead of their competition.
“IPL’s digital journey approach is all about helping our customers deliver new capabilities quickly, all the while building towards a grand vision. This ethos aligns perfectly with Nationwide’s digital strategy, and is why the two organisations have worked together so successfully for over 15 years.”
You can download the Nationwide android app here, and you can stay up to date with IPL by following them on Twitter at @IPLdotcom.
