Bank engages national carrier amidst efficiency effort

BENDIGO Bank has announced a new five-year arrangement with Telstra, which will now supply telecommunications to its business and national retail network.

The partnership is predicted to enable the bank to offer better support and services to its 2.9 million customers and thousands of team members, while improving security and delivering stronger and faster internet connections.

Bendigo Bank chief technology officer Kieran O’Meara said the agreement is “a big milestone” for the organisation and one that will see it operate “more simply and efficiently”.

“Partnering with Telstra will see the Bank offer a single, modern, software-based approach to managing our wide area network,” he predicted.

“We need(ed) a flexible, scalable and cost-effective networking solution, and we’re now going to be backed by Telstra’s leading telecommunications network to provide resilient and faster network connections.”

Telstra Enterprise Group executive Oliver Camplin-Warner said the partnership reflects a strong alignment between the two organisations’ focus on customers, resilience and long-term value.

“Bendigo Bank is an organisation I really admire for the way they bring purpose and technology together to serve customers and communities across Australia,” he said.

“From the success of mobile digital bank Up, to their continued focus on secure, intuitive and customer–led digital experiences – Bendigo Bank has shown how innovation can be used to improve everyday banking in a very real way for Australians.

“That ambition strongly aligns with our vision for a more connected future.”

The Bank is expected to complete its transition to Telstra in the coming months.