Card not needed: Westpac launches new payment method for online shopping

Westpac customers are now able to purchase goods and services online without a debit or credit card.

Westpac, with a new partnership with Payment Express, announced the service, Westpac Direct from Account, which enables Westpac customers to pay for online purchases directly from their bank account.

The new offering is a secure API technology-based payment method that works using Payment Express' secure Account2Account payment service, eliminating the need for a debit or credit card for online purchases.

Melissa Steward, Westpac NZ's head of global transactional services and enterprise payments, says this 'first to market innovation' makes payments simple and secure for consumers and businesses.

"We are continually looking at ways to make things easier, faster and more secure for customers and payments are a big part of that," she says.

"Partnerships are key in this rapidly evolving marketplace, and the experience and expertise of Payment Express has been a key part in developing and delivering this.

Avesh Vather, manager, acquirer solutions, Payment Express, adds: "Our flagship payments engine provides businesses and their customers with access to the best online payment experience available.

"This partnership with Westpac adds features which further enhance both security and reliability for Westpac customers using Account2Account to buy goods and services online.

Businesses already making use of Payment Express' leading PXPay 2.0 payments engine can gain access to Westpac Direct from Account with no further development needed, Steward adds.