By Jeremy Thomas, Regional Director at BackbaseThe banking sector in Australia and New Zealand is undergoing a transformation driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI), with organisations rapidly integrating AI-powered solutions into their operations.According to consulting firm Bain, 59% of banks globally are already exploring generative AI for customer service applications, while 55% are leveraging it for software development. However, the industry is now moving beyond initial experiments, embracing agentic AI, which promises to redefine banking operations.From experimentation to implementationThe banking sector’s initial foray into AI began with coding assistance tools such as GitHub Copilot, primarily for internal use. Cautious adoption led to the introduction of chatbots designed to handle routine customer queries.However, the landscape is shifting. The advent of autonomous AI agents is enabling banks to streamline operations, enhance customer interactions, and increase revenue through personalisation and automation.Initially viewed as a tool to improve call centre efficiency, AI has now evolved into a strategic asset. Banks are finding that AI agents can significantly reduce labour costs, simplify banking processes, and enhance customer service. By minimising administrative burdens and accelerating data processing, AI is poised to transform financial services.Unlocking AI’s full potentialDespite AI’s promise, its effectiveness hinges on a bank’s ability to integrate AI agents into its broader digital infrastructure

Backbase, the global leader in Engagement Banking, have announced a strategic partnership with MeaWallet, a leading digital payments enabler specialising in card tokenisation.This collaboration addresses the rapidly growing demand for secure, seamless digital payment security experiences in the region’s competitive banking landscape.The partnership introduces two innovative solutions that will transform how financial institutions deliver digital payment services:Mea Push Provisioning: Enables rapid deployment of digital wallet solutions including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, significantly reducing time-to-market for new payment offeringsEnables rapid deployment of digital wallet solutions including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, significantly reducing time-to-market for new payment offerings Mea Card Data: Provides PCI DSS-certified infrastructure that allows secure in-app access to card details, enhancing the customer experience while maintaining robust security standards“In today’s digital-first economy, financial institutions must deliver payment experiences that are both frictionless and secure,” said Mayank Somaiya (pictured), Global Head of Ecosystem Partnerships at Backbase. “By offering MeaWallet’s advanced tokenisation capabilities with Backbase’s Engagement Banking Platform, we’re enabling banks and fintechs to accelerate their digital transformation while maintaining the highest security standards. This partnership represents a significant step forward in our mission to help financial institutions create superior banking experiences in Australia and New Zealand.”The collaboration comes at a crucial time, as digital wallet adoption in Australia and New Zealand continues to rise. All issuers and fintechs partnering with Backbase can now:Launch digital wallet solutions up to 60% fasterReduce operational complexity through out-of-the-box integrationEnhance security while improving customer experienceMeet evolving regulatory requirements through certified infrastructureThomas B Normann, Chief Product Officer at MeaWallet, added, “This partnership with Backbase represents a significant step forward in digital payments innovation for Australia and New Zealand. By combining our proven digital card and tokenisation expertise with Backbase’s Engagement Banking Platform, we’re enabling financial institutions to deliver secure, seamless payment experiences that meet evolving consumer demands while maintaining the highest security standards.”As digital payments continue to dominate the financial landscape in Australia and New Zealand, with mobile wallet transactions surging in the past year, this partnership addresses a critical market need.Together, Backbase and Mea Wallet are positioned to help financial institutions capitalise on this digital transformation opportunity, enabling them to deliver the secure, frictionless payment experiences that modern consumers demand