The latest release to Standard Bank’s smartphone app enables customers to make international payments to individual recipients in almost 200 countries, from the convenience of their Apple or Android smartphones.

“This updated functionality represents the ultimate in flexibility and convenience by providing customers in any region, who would previously have had to visit a branch and complete vast amounts of paperwork, with instant access to, and absolute control over, their entire financial portfolio,” says Vuyo Mpako, head of digital channels and e-commerce at Standard Bank.

Customers can now make international payments for a broad range of purposes within their SARB-regulated allowance of R1-million per annum, with all payments protected by advanced security features.

This latest release also includes the ability for customers to adjust their daily and monthly ATM limits, as well as to request vehicle finance letters, for use when driving across national borders.

Another significant update is the built-in architectural changes necessary to quickly roll out the app into various other regions in which the Standard Bank Group operates. The first four countries slated for release – Botswana, Namibia, Ghana, and Uganda – will benefit from the app within the near future, with other countries across the continent to follow.

“The global expansion of our smartphone app together with the updated functionality is the latest in the digital transformation of the Bank and reflects our vision of becoming a truly universal bank, continues Mpako.

“Africa is our home; we’re passionate about improving the lives of all our customers via digital. They’re expecting an increasing number of services to be available on the app, and we’re listening. We’ve created the latest features based on customer’s requests, with even more to come as we expand our service offerings in the next few months,” concludes Mpako.

The above features are the latest in a long string of enhancements to SA’s most rapidly-evolving mobile banking service – which already include:

* The ability for customers to immediately stop their cards in case of loss or theft;

* Electronic account payment limits control;

* The ability to submit homeowner’s insurance claims with camera functionality;

* The ability to activate cards for international travel;

* Vehicle finance features, including viewing balances and getting settlement quotes;

* Local and international share trading through the Bank’s WebTrader service;

* A complete set of transactional and prepaid services, such as sending money to third-parties using on a mobile number;

* Create personalised dashboards for all cards, including linking business cards to view business accounts via a dedicated dashboard;

* A range of useful calculators to help with financial planning;

* Open a range of Savings and Investment accounts;

* iPhone users can use Apple’s Touch ID (biometrics) service to sign-in;

* Link the app to the Standard Bank Online Share Trading app;

* Link the app to offshore accounts held with Standard Bank; and

* Smartwatch app and the unique Balance Peek feature – which allows customer to check their account balances without having to sign-in to the app.