Australia – Bankwest has officially launched a new banking app and website, marking a significant step in its accelerated digital investment strategy. With an ambition to become Australia’s favourite digital bank, the latest upgrades aim to enhance customer experience and expand Bankwest’s presence nationwide.
This launch builds on Bankwest’s transition to a fully digital bank in Western Australia in 2024. The institution is now focused on growing its customer base in Australia’s eastern states, where it has operated as a digital-only bank since 2022. More than half of Bankwest’s customers reside in the eastern states, making this a key market for its expansion strategy.
The new app and website have been developed in close collaboration with customers to create an intuitive digital banking experience. Designed for ease of use, the app helps customers manage their finances effortlessly by offering features such as a refreshed home screen, a dedicated ‘money’ tab for transactions, enhanced search functionality, and a specialised ‘property’ tab for home loan information. Additionally, the app provides 24/7 in-app support to ensure continuous assistance for users.
A major highlight of the upgrade is the introduction of ‘Virtual Cards,’ a feature set to launch soon. This new functionality will allow customers to generate single-use or multi-use, time-limited debit or credit cards, adding an extra layer of security for online and in-store transactions.
In a bid to reinforce its national presence, Bankwest is also preparing to launch a new brand platform and a national marketing campaign in 2025. This campaign will introduce a refreshed identity and value proposition, positioning Bankwest as a leader in Australia’s digital banking sector.
Bankwest Managing Director Jason Chan said the app and website – built by Bankwest teams – were the foundations for a complete reinvention of the bank’s digital offering to customers and brokers across Australia.
“Innovation has been part of Bankwest’s DNA for 130 years, and, today, we have a clear role in the CBA Group as a growth-focused, highly competitive national digital bank, with a fresh and distinctive proposition,” he said.
He added, “Our aim is to create a digital banking experience that truly stands out in the Australian financial services landscape, and which is designed to meet the needs of a growing number of customers and brokers nationwide.”
Jason also noted that they have conducted hundreds of hours of testing with customers and non-customers across Australia and we know there’s a significant segment of the market looking for a simpler, less complicated relationship with their bank.
“These Australians are telling us they want just the right amount of bank in their lives, one that’s working hard behind the scenes to help them manage their money, while they focus their time on what’s important to them,” he said.
Jason concluded, “Our introduction of new technology to help customers tackle scams in 2024 marked the first of a new series of uncomplicated and genuinely useful experiences for customers and there’s much more to come this year.
