New Zealand's ASB Bank has been taking advantage of Google+ Hangouts, using the video chat service to communicate with a group of customers beta testing its Android app.
Earlier this week Google opened its social networking service to companies with the introduction of Google+ Business Pages. ASB has moved quickly to take advantage, creating a page which has so far garnered 149 followers.
Anna Curzon, GM, Internet banking, ASB, says: "Social media channels are increasingly important to our customers so we moved quickly to take advantage of the unique functionality of Google+, allowing us to further listen and engage with our community."
In fact, ASB says that it had already been tapping Google+, using Hangouts to keep tabs with customers participating in a beta programme for its Android app, released last month.
"The use of Google+ Hangouts was enthusiastically received by our test group, and allowed richer and more transparent discussions to take place with multiple people across the country. We recognise the importance of reaching out to our community and involving them in our development process, and the Hangouts helped us further understand how customers are using our products and services," says Curzon.