Westpac goes paperless with iPads in branch revamp

Westpac is aiming to go paperless in its AU$240 million branch network makeover, which will see Apple iPads being rolled out to storefronts to replace printed brochures.

The branch overhaul program was announced on Monday, with one third of Westpac's 680 branches to be revamped over the next three years. Affected branches, dubbed "BankNow" branches, will become smaller, with security screens at teller counters to be removed and "smart" ATMs to be installed in a bid to quell long queues.

A Westpac spokesperson told ZDNet that the bank will also be deploying a fleet of iPads to these modernised branches. Each branch will have at least three iPads available for customer use, with a few back-up units available.

According to the spokesperson, the iPads will supplant physical brochures at these branches. Digital brochures can be viewed and emailed to customers via the mobile devices, as well as dedicated digital touchscreens around the shopfronts.

"The new look branch is aiming to be as paperless as possible," the Westpac spokesperson said. "We're using iPads as we're finding they are the most popular tablet device with our customers, and the Westpac Banking for iPad app has received over 125,000 downloads."

Last month, Westpac's retail and banking group executive, Jason Yetton, said thatbranch banking is still viable and that the company will continue to upgrade the network under its BankSmart Strategic Investment program.