Media Release

Australian first - St.George first bank to trial iBeacon - improving customer service

St.George Bank has announced the start of iBeacon trials within its retail branch network, marking an Australian-first for a bank to adopt the new technology, which aims to enhance customer experience and interaction.

Currently being trialled in three Sydney branches, the technology delivers a personalised experience each time a St.George customer enters a branch by sending a welcome message and tailored information directly to their iPhone from an iPad in the branch. Customers can respond to the message or cancel the interaction.

The purpose of the trial is to gain valuable feedback from customers to ensure the service genuinely meets their needs and enhances their experience with St.George.

George Frazis, CEO of St.George Banking Group said the launch of the new technology forms part of an increased focus on delivering an innovative and customer-centric in-branch experience.

"The future of business will be in the ability to anticipate customer’s needs, understand what matters to them and act on that knowledge to surprise and delight them. Our investment in iBeacon will help us to achieve that – and it has the potential to dramatically change the service experience in Australian banking.

"The iBeacon trial forms part of a broader investment in our retail branches that will see more digital technology and increased staff expertise to make banking simpler, easier and faster for our customers," he said.

St.George CIO, Dhiren Kulkarni commented: “St.George is a pioneer in banking technology in Australia, being the first bank in Australia to launch internet banking in 1995 and mobile banking in 2009. The launch of iBeacon is the next step in that innovation evolution.

“Our trial with iBeacon is the first step in the process to explore how closely we can integrate the technology into our branches to deliver a new level of customer service. Once we have completed the trial, we will review the results and plan how we can roll-out nationally,” he said.

For further information, please contact:
Mark Roberts – 02 9236 3521 or 0405 447 824
Fiona Macrae – 02 9236 2973 or 0467 242 713

*iBeacon is a registered trademark of Apple – for more information visit http://support.apple.com/kb/HT6048