Swindon-based Nationwide’s voice-recognition smartwatch banking app is in the running for two top industry awards.
The cutting-edge app, built in less than a month by Bath-based IT services firm IPL, enabled Nationwide to become the UK’s first financial service provider to offer its customers real-time balances on Android watches. 
Working in conjunction with Nationwide’s Android app, it allows customers to check their account entirely hands-free and without even signing into the app.
It has now been selected as a finalist in the Best use of mobile and financial sector innovation categories of the 2015 FStech awards, which recognise excellence in the financial technology sector.
The app forms part of the Swindon-based building society’s acclaimed digital transformation, which has created an award-winning online bank, a series of mobile apps for customers and mortgage intermediaries, 24/7 customer service via Twitter, as well as making Nationwide the first UK organisation to offer Visa’s V.me mobile wallet.
Nationwide head of customer experience engagement, Kate Watson, said: “Digital is all about giving people easier and more convenient ways to manage their money, and the smartwatch capability is the latest step in our journey.”
IPL delivery director David Shepherd added: “First mover advantage is immensely important in this competitive market, and we’re extremely proud to have pulled out all the stops to again help Nationwide get cutting-edge digital capability out there ahead of their competition.”
