After launching their Alexa skill earlier this year, Westpac bank has furthered their offerings for smart speakers with a Google Assistant app.
The Google Assistant app gives Westpac customers with an eligible account, which includes the Westpac Choice, eSaver and Altitude Black or Platinum credit cards, the option to link up to three accounts. Once linked the app gives them hands-free access to their account balances, recent transactions, and reward points on everyday banking and savings accounts.
Martine Jager, Chief Digital and Marketing Officer at Westpac Group said:
We’re always looking for new ways to help make our customers’ lives easier, and are committed to giving our customers even more choice and flexibility when it comes to their banking.
As well as working on Google Home or Google Assistant smart speakers like the newly launched LG WK7, customers can also interact with the app using Google Assistant on their Android or iOS smartphone.
Once you’ve linked your account – which requires setting up a 4-digit passcode – calling the Westpac Assistant app is as easy as saying ‘Hey Google, Talk to Westpac’ and then issuing one of a number of commands including:
- “What’s my account balance?”
- “What’s my credit card balance?”
- “What are my recent transactions?”
- “What are my last 5 transactions?”
- “How many reward points do I have?”
- “What can I ask you?”
With the launch of the Google Assistant app on top of their existing Alexa skill, Westpac is showing their willingness to offer customers access to a range of voice-based banking technology. Ms Jager further said
As new technologies continue to emerge, it’s important for us to innovate and respond to our customers’ changing needs. Partnering with leaders in voice technology enables us to remain competitive while providing a seamless and personalised banking experience for our customers.
To check out the Westpac app for Google Assistant you can check it out in the Google Assistant app directory on the web, or on your phone by launching Assistant and tapping the blue icon, then searching for Westpac.
It’s good to see Westpac introduce this, after already having introduced Google Pay on the Australian market.
It’s a pity that the Westpac subsidiary St George has had no interest in introducing either of these technologies.
This brings up bank/internet security anxiety with me , does sound like a cool feature though .
Someone with nefarious intent can’t steal your money with this. They could potentially find out how much is in your bank balance. But who could be bothered hacking in to know that?
We switched to UBank so can’t use this. The tens of thousands in savings make up for it 🙂