ANZ gives power of ATM cards to smartphones, smartwatches

Card payments are accepted at many shops across Australia, but there are times when only cash is working. Whether it’s because the store hasn’t signed up to the wonders of digital yet or maybe the payment platform is broken, there are times when you’re just going to need cash.

In the age of the digital wallet, this can be a problem, but ANZ is this week launching a possible solution: smartphone and wearable access to ANZ ATMs.

The initiative will make it possible for the more than one million ANZ customers using digital wallets to take out cash at one of ANZ’s 2,400 ATMs across Australia using not their card, but their card-connected smartphone or wearable gadget.

ANZ currently works with every major digital wallet available in Australia, and is the only major bank to do so, including Apple Pay for iPhone and Apple Watch, Samsung Pay for Samsung phones and Samsung wearables, Garmin Pay for Garmin’s wearable devices, Fitbit Pay for smartwatches made by Fitbit, and Google Pay for Android phones, tablets, and WearOS watches. This addition will mean all of these smart devices can now potentially withdraw cash at an ANZ ATM, rather than just paying for goods and services simply by tapping the device at the teller.

“We are determined to bring our customers new banking experiences so they can access their money the way they want to,” said Kath Bray, ANZ Customer Engagement Lead.

“With the high adoption rates of contactless payments in Australia, our customers will be some of the first in the world to use their mobile devices to withdraw cash in addition to making payments. We know this is something our customers will appreciate,” she said.

ANZ has said the support isn’t just for the withdrawing of money, but rather any function and service its ATMs presently support including PIN changes, account transfers, balance enquiries, and deposits at Smart ATMs alongside the cash withdrawal.

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