In its “first” major corporate milestone following its acquisition by MONEYME Ltd (ASX:MME), digital finance platform SocietyOne has launched transaction and savings accounts “powered by Westpac’s Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS).”
SocietyOne is Westpac’s second partner “to launch products through its BaaS platform with two new additions to its product offering: the ‘SpendOne’ transaction account and ‘SaveOne’ savings account.”
These new products form part of SocietyOne’s innovation designed “to help Australians create better daily financial habits and connection with the brand beyond their credit needs.”
SpendOne is “an everyday transaction account, launching with zero account keeping or transaction fees.”
It has a round-up feature that “allows customers to nominate an amount to round up everyday transactions to, with the round-up amount automatically going to their SaveOne account.”
The SpendOne account comes with features customers expect, “including a debit card to tap or swipe in-store and shop online.” And the ability “to transfer money between their accounts, make fast payments and withdraw cash from ATMs.”
SaveOne is “a savings account earning an impressive 1 percent per annum, which is a competitive interest rate.”
It has a flexible auto-save option that “allows a percentage of any deposit into a SpendOne account to be automatically transferred to the customer’s SaveOne account, helping them to incrementally improve their savings.”
SpendOne and SaveOne will be available “to all eligible Australians over 18 years old, with current SocietyOne customers being the focus of the initial launch.”
Customers can “open and access both the SpendOne and SaveOne accounts via the new SocietyOne app, which can be downloaded on the App Store and Google Play.”
The app gives customers 24/7 visibility “over their transactions and allows them to take out a SocietyOne loan, set up automatic repayments, and access their credit score all from their smartphone.”
The BaaS product launch follows “a recent strategic decision to be acquired by ASX-listed consumer lender MONEYME, creating an impressive $1.2b loan book (at 31 March 2022) and a significantly increased customer base for the combined entity.”
The move is aimed “to fast-track the MONEYME Group’s goal of becoming Australia’s largest non-bank credit provider.”
Clayton Howes, Managing Director and CEO of MONEYME, said:
“Transaction and savings accounts are an exciting addition to our offering under the SocietyOne brand. The launch strongly aligns with MONEYME’s diversification strategy and our focus on delivering leading digital-first experiences to empower Generation Now. The SpendOne and SaveOne accounts are designed to automate good financial habits, giving customers more freedom, flexibility, and a one-stop shop to manage their money.”
Jonathan Chan, COO of MONEYME, said:
“The BaaS-powered SpendOne and SaveOne accounts contribute to our long-term mission of empowering ambitious Australians through a broad range of products, so they can achieve their financial goals faster. Adding these products creates a frictionless experience for SocietyOne customers, who can now monitor and manage everyday transactions, savings, SocietyOne personal loans, and their credit score, all in one app. With easy oversight and automated features to help customers save more, it provides increased control over their finances.”
Damien MacRae, CEO of Westpac Banking as a Service, said:
“Westpac is proud to bring digital banking through its Australian-first cloud native technology to SocietyOne’s customers to help them manage their finances, their way, and in the palm of their hand. Allowing SocietyOne to offer its Australian customers access to innovative digital banking, underpinned by Westpac’s strengths of safety, security and trust. Embedded finance is a growing market, and this partnership is a significant opportunity for Westpac to reach new customers.”