SmartyPig

As Australian banking institutions foray into the social media space, consumers are gaining access to tools that provide financial education, product research and can help keep up motivation in saving and budgeting. But Australia is still lagging on the global stage, which may mean some great opportunities ahead. Palmer says one Australian website that integrates well with social media is Smarty Pig, which ANZ has licensed from the US. This site broadcasts how you are tracking with your savings goals and has the capability for friends and family to chip in to help you reach your target.
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After great success in the USA, a new saving program has launched in Australia- SmartyPig! SmartyPig is all about setting saving goals and saving in a fun way. Like setting up a bank account, your SmartyPig account accrues 4.00% interest but goes one step further and calculates your monthly direct debit based on your goal amount and time frame. I trialled the program last week with a $10 giftcard and after a little initial hiccup verifying my identity (really never a bad thing when dealing with banking!) I was on my way choosing avatars, setting goals and experimenting with the social tools the site provides.
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When it comes to its technology operations, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group's philosophy appears to match its corporate slogan: "Being different". The bank has no plans to rush after its rivals and rip 'n' replace its core banking systems. Instead, it's advocating a course of simplification and spending its technology dollars on new projects that bring in more profits.
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... the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has announced that ANZ is leading the way in attracting retail deposits with its term deposits and savings accounts offers, with the SmartyPig brand said to be particularly popular with savers.
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When we talk about social networking, we think of our new Facebook friends, our social calendars, and embarrassing photos from a night out. One of the last things on our mind is responsible saving. This is exactly what SmartyPig, a new, unique, and free savings program, tries to change. In partnership with ANZ, SmartyPig was introduced in November 2008 to help Australians meet their savings goals, whether it’s for travelling, home improvement, a wedding, or just saving to save.
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Australian Banking Major ANZ has teamed up with US based company SmartyPig to launch an online savings product with a difference. According to the website, ANZ SmartyPig "is a unique savings program designed to make saving social, goal-oriented and fun. SmartyPig uses the power of social networking and retailer value boosts to help people reach their savings goals faster."
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ANZ bank and "SmartyPig" are the first to take advantage of the latest technology and tap into a whole new generation of potential bank accounts users. SmartyPig savings bank accounts are virtual piggy banks that allow customers to focus their financial goals and achieve them faster. Monthly deposits can be taken from the customer's existing bank accounts and placed into the SmartyPig account, with the idea being that the monthly amounts taken from separate account being so small that they customer doesn't even miss it, and yet still reaches their financial goals.
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Got itchy feet to travel but can't seem to save the cash? Perhaps you're in dire need of a new car but can't get a loan? Or maybe Uni fees are piling up and up and the thought of living off two-minute noodles is less than desirable? Never fear, SmartyPig is here! This little swine will work miracles for those of you who have awesome goals but are strapped for cash.
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An online banking group has managed to combine finance and social networking by allowing users to display their savings goals and status on their Facebook or MySpace page. US-based company SmartyPig has teamed up with ANZ to deliver what it calls a “virtual bank account,” into which the family and friends of users can also contribute money through the Facebook widget.
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FACEBOOK finance is online in Australia. The first internet bank account that doubles as a social networking site is aimed at Generation Y.
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SHIFTS in the financial landscape are sometimes slow, other times very fast. And the shift at the moment is clearly away from debt and towards savings. Just as the Great Depression produced a thrifty generation who paid for everything in cash, so the current world recession is driving a move away from buying things on credit to the discipline of saving.
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ANZ has launched a new online savings account with a twist – several twists actually. The new SmartyPig account “is a unique savings program designed to make saving social, goal-oriented and fun”, says the site. “SmartyPig uses the power of social networking and retailer value boosts to help people reach their savings goals faster.” The rate is a competitive 5%pa, paid quarterly and there are no ongoing fees.
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John Harries, ANZ managing director of retail products, says: “We know young people have unique needs when it comes to their finances... Partnering with companies like SmartyPig that can innovate and get to market rapidly helps us extend our point of difference.”
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