Smart Bits: New Zealand Banks Start Mondex Pilot

Westpac and Trust Bank have launched a trial of the Mondex electronic cash system in cafeterias at its Christchurch and Wellington offices.

The Christchurch pilot began in early October. The cafeteria is receiving as many Mondex payments as cash payments, the bank said. Employees download an average of $5 onto the cards from special pay phones each time they replenish the cards.

In Wellington, the pilot began on Oct. 20. Nearly 300 Wellington employees are using Mondex cards.

In July, six major New Zealand banks purchased the New Zealand Mondex franchise. The banks expect to introduce a public trial of Mondex within 18 months.

The staff trials will help the bank understand the best way to launch Mondex to the New Zealand public, as well as test technical procedures, the bank said.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER