The Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) has become the first bank in the country to launch an internet banking application designed specifically for Android smartphone users.
The release of the app follows the launch of a similar tool for iPhone last month. This app was downloaded by 15,000 users in its first few weeks, according to BNZ.
Rogan Clarke, head of BNZ online, says although some users may have safety and privacy concerns about the app – especially with cyber criminals beginning to target Android's open platform operating system – it's just as safe as using online banking from your laptop.
"Security and making sure the user experience was solid from the outset were our top priorities," Clarke says.
"You can't have one without the other in our view, so our in-house development team in Wellington have put in the hard yards over many months to ensure these three BNZ Mobile services are world class.
