Piggy Bank is back – This time its virtual
Okay this time I will be blogging about Social networking feature embraced by ANZ. This is quiet unique -
1. While other banks (Raboplus and Ubank covered so far) are trying out new things with Online Banks, ANZ is experimenting with the social network around “Real” Bank (and not onedirect).
2. It is unique because they have not just embraced social media applications to broadcast and connect with people but they have actually went ahead one step and built a network around normal savings account. For this they have partnered with a US company called SmartyPig and launched Smartypig Australia
3. And they are using another social networking website called Get satisfaction for customer support
4. Need not mention that there exist twitter: SmartyPigAU and Blog (though with only two posts since it was launched in December)
So what is Smartypig?
Online Piggy bank which lets you create your profile, set your saving goal in terms of how much you want to save and in what period. Based on which Bank will deduct monthly amount and put it in your piggy. Further it lets you share your profile with your community and friends on facebook or myspace. Also, you can allow your friends / family to contribute to your goals or else you can also contribute to your friends goals. Simply put it lets you build a social network around your savings account. Finally when you reach your goal you have an option of either transferring money (along with interest) to linked savings account or get them coverted to value boost gift card that you can use with specified retailers. Check more details at About us Page of smarty pig. They say that smartypiggy is converting ‘buy now pay later’ credit card mentality to a better guilt free financial habit of save now spend later.
Was at Ad:Tech Sydney – watch out this space for next post about Ad:tech.
Easwar 8:36 am on March 12, 2009 Permalink |
Yea I had bumped in to this concept of social deposit. This is taking Web 2.0, Social Networks and Banking in to next realm. It would be interesting how the thing catches. It is also a boost by the bank to invite more deposits in a time when deposit rates are falling(recession has changed that..ofcourse now consumers are wary of the bank as well)
siddharths 2:34 pm on March 13, 2009 Permalink |
yes it is to be seen how these experiments go … however all these initiatives can help in building the community, educating public and thus also be on the radar of consumers …