Australian bank and financial-services provider Westpac has launched a new service that will allow its customers to activate a new debit or credit card by using smartphone camera.
Using optical character recognition technology, customers can activate their payment cards through the Westpac Mobile Banking app on their iPhone or Android smartphone in three steps.
During the activation process, the customers will have to scan their card, confirm the card details captured are correct, and then tap to activate.
Westpac Group consumer bank chief information officer Mike Wood said: "The new feature is a timesaver for our customers who can activate their card when and where it suits them without the need to call customer service, visit a local branch or manually type in card numbers.
"With over two million debit and credit cards activated by our customers in the past year alone, we are delighted to be the first financial institution to offer customers a simple solution that is safe and secure via the Westpac Mobile Banking app.
"Card activation via mobile is another demonstration of Westpac’s commitment to providing new and improved solutions to service customers’ everyday needs."
Additionally, new Quick Balance feature has been added to Apple Watch. It, when paired with the Westpac Banking app for iPhone, will allow customers to quickly swipe their Apple Watch screen to see their account balance without the need to log in to Westpac mobile banking.
Westpac card activation by smartphone camera will be available for Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards and Debit MasterCard cards from November 2015, along with the Quick Balance feature on Apple Watch.