ANZ FastPay to include EFTPOS transactions

ANZ has today announced its mobile payment technology will now enable merchants to process EFTPOS payments.

ANZ FastPay currently enables small businesses to take Visa and MasterCard credit and debit card payments using their smartphones. ANZ will become the first New Zealand bank to roll out this capability to include EFTPOS.

"The announcement comes after ANZ last year became the first New Zealand bank with mobile solutions for all types of customers, from individuals and small businesses to large institutional clients," the company says in a statement.

The new capability will launch mid-year, the bank says. A new card reader will also be introduced meaning the merchant can process transactions faster.

ANZ's managing director, retail and business banking, Fred Ohlsson, says ANZ FastPay was a popular solution for a wide range of businesses, from plumbers and builders to mobile dog groomers.

"Business owners have told us it's a game changer in making payments quicker and easier so they can spend their time making money, not chasing payment," he says. "The improvements are the result of feedback from customers on how we can make it better.

Ohlsson says, "Our latest innovation will make entering payments even easier and faster and provide a further boost for businesses in managing their cash flow, which is critical to success in any enterprise.

"As a mobile banking leader, we're listening to the changing ways our customers want to bank with us and delivering solutions that meet their needs," he says.

Features: Free app to download for iPhones, iPads and Android smartphones and tablets Accepts Visa and MasterCard credit and debit card payments – from mid-year this will also include EFTPOS payments Emails receipts directly to customers Enables multiple users to process sales into one ANZ business account Merchants can try FastPay for any period without locking in to long-term contracts ANZ FastPay customers will receive a card reader and download a new version of the app when the upgrade is introduced mid-year

The update to ANZ FastPay follows a number of other successful ANZ mobile offerings.

In April 2011 the ANZ goMoney mobile banking app was launched for retail and small business customers in New Zealand and within hours became the No 1 most popular finance app on iTunes in New Zealand. ANZ continues to update goMoney with features suggested by customers.

Last year ANZ launched ANZ Direct Mobile, a tailored banking solution for medium sized or more complex businesses, making it the first New Zealand bank with mobile solutions for all customers.

ANZ also offers ANZ Transactive Mobile apps for Android and iPhone devices, a solution enabling institutional, commercial and business banking customers to remotely monitor real-time balances on their New Zealand and Australian accounts, view transactions, approve and release payments and obtain live FX rates.