Standard Bank is developing a banking application for the Apple Watch, the financial services institution said on Thursday.
The app is being tested with “pilot users” and will be available to the general public by the end of September 2015, the bank said.
The Apple Watch hasn’t been released in South Africa, but it is widely expected to reach the country’s shores in the coming months.
The first version of the Standard Bank’s Apple Watch app will contain a “balance peek” feature, allowing users to check their latest account balances without having to log into Internet banking or their smartphone app.
“’Balance peek’ on smartwatches is perfect for those moments when you need to quickly and unobtrusively check your balance,” said Standard Bank head of digital customer solutions Magnus Taljaard in a statement.
Standard Bank intends rolling out the app for Android Wear-enabled smartwatches later in 2015, Taljaard said.
“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 roadmap of banking features for wearables,” the bank said.
“Already on the agenda are smartwatch services that allow share-trading clients to track indices and shares, see the biggest market movers and track changes in their share portfolios.”
Standard Bank said security and privacy are being prioritised in development on the Apple Watch app. “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.” — © 2015 NewsCentral Media
