This will enable customers to check their real-time account balance at a glance on the move. The Society also unveils new research showing that despite high levels of people checking their balance on the move (44%), half of people were surprised by the amount in their account.

The research by Nationwide, which launched the first smartwatch banking app in the UK last year, shows that three quarters (75%) of those surprised by account balances had more in their accounts than they were expecting. The survey also highlighted that people were more likely to check their account balance (44%) than their work email (34%) or update their diary (34%) whilst on the move.

Barnaby Davis, Nationwide’s Retail Strategy Director, said: “In November 2014, Nationwide became the first financial services provider in the UK to embrace the wearable revolution with our Quick Balance smartwatch app, and we’re excited to announce today that this successful app is available to download for Apple Watches. The Nationwide app will give our customers even greater choice about how they manage their money whilst on the move, demonstrating our commitment to doing business on our members’ terms, not ours.”

This new app builds on the popular Quick Balance feature on Nationwide’s mobile banking app which allows customers secure and immediate access to their account balance, helping members keep on top of their finances anytime, anywhere and at the swipe of a button. The Quick Balance feature on the app has been used over 37 million times since the launch on 4 June last year.

Nationwide has recently announced a number of innovative customer focused developments, including:

Nationwide Now, which gives customers quicker and easier access to a financial consultant. It uses a fast high definition video link so the customer interacts with the consultant as though they were in the same room. In 2015 the Society announced that Nationwide Now will be rolled out to around 400 branches by November 2015 as part of a £500 million investment in its branches, creating around 200 jobs whilst underlining Nationwide’s commitment to its branch network and demonstrating how digital and traditional services can work in harmony.
In July 2014, just 20 months after its launch, Nationwide serviced more transactions on its mobile app than the internet bank, which has been available since 1997, demonstrating the speed of uptake of the Society’s mobile banking services.
In March 2014, Nationwide launched the first 24/7 Twitter account to answer customer questions and help resolve problems day and night.