ANZ has inked an agreement with the Australian government to trial a system that will enable its business customers to access government services via the Internet using a chip card.
The 'proof of concept' deal between ANZ and the Australian Government Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources (DITR) will see bank customers accessing federal, state and local government services online using a smart card featuring IdenTrust's digital certificate technology.
The bank says that businesses can use the online system to apply for government grants, concessions, licences and permits, as well as for registering company names and signing and submitting tenders and contracts.
Trials are scheduled to begin later in the year and ANZ says it will offer the service to more business banking customers if the pilot is successful.
Chris Cooper, MD, working capital, ANZ, says: "With this agreement, clients will, over time, be able to use ANZ chip cards to access select government services simply and securely."