Technology

How Debut empowers Kiwis Today with Next-gen Banking Technology

Tessellating pattern of circles and diamonds.
Sep 4, 2024

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic,” wrote Arthur C. Clarke in 1962. Today, this sentiment rings true as technology seamlessly integrates into our lives, making tasks like accessing information and managing finances almost effortless. Debut is harnessing the power of cutting-edge technologies—AI, real-time fraud prevention, open banking, and digital payments—to create a new kind of banking experience for Kiwis that’s not just smarter but also more secure and flexible.

New Zealand has always been a pioneer, yet we sometimes lag behind in certain areas. For example, while we were early adopters of contactless payments in 2011, mobile payments took longer to catch on, with some banks only recently supporting them. Debut, however, has taken a digital-first approach from the start. You can open an account, load money, and start making payments using Apple Pay or Google Pay within minutes—all from your phone.

How Debut uses intelligent services to help you do more

At Debut, we believe in making money management effortless. We apply innovative technology to provide you with the right information when you need it, helping you keep track of your finances with minimal effort. For instance, we use machine learning to automatically match business logos to transactions, making it easier to identify where your money is going at a glance. Currently, our model is 92% accurate and continually improving.

Debut also automatically categorises transactions and lets you set budgets, so you’ll always know how much you have left to spend on things like entertainment or eating out.

How Debut Uses Advanced Technologies to Protect you from Fraud

Security is paramount when it comes to managing personal finances, and Debut takes this responsibility seriously. Our advanced transaction authentication system assesses and approves transactions in real time, using sophisticated algorithms that analyse multiple data points—like location and spending patterns—to detect anomalies. This proactive approach significantly reduces the risk of fraud, ensuring your money is always safe.

While mobile payments offer enhanced security through encrypted digital tokens and biometric authentication, Debut goes further by providing ways to securely manage how your cards are accessed online and in-person. With Debut Ora Card and Tonu Cards, you can set spending limits, control where your card can be used, and even generate new cards for specific purposes, adding an extra layer of security and convenience.

How Debut Makes Financial Services Simple and Flexible for Everyone

As banking continues to evolve, Debut is leading the charge, redefining what it means to bank in the digital age. Our commitment to leveraging the latest technology and our customer-first approach ensures that we’re not just keeping up with the times—we’re setting the pace. Debut is on a mission to put one billion dollars back into Kiwi pockets, with features like Universal Interest and Savings PowerUps helping you grow and keep more of your money. These services allow everyday Kiwis to tap into robust financial services while allowing them to stay in control.

Now is the perfect time to experience the future of banking firsthand. Join Debut today and experience next-gen financial services for yourself.

As we look ahead, Debut remains committed to continuous innovation together with our members, ensuring we continue to add exceptional value for Kiwi customers. Our vision is clear: to create a fairer, more inclusive financial system that benefits all Kiwis. Together, we’re building the future of banking—one that works for you.

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Please note, Debut is not a registered bank under the Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act. This is about our future intentions. Investments with us are not supervised currently by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

Derrick Olivier is Head of Community and Growth at Debut
Debut is the best way to save, track, budget and understand your money.
We’re doing something that’s never been done in New Zealand. We’re building a bank carefully, thoughtfully and with feedback from our customers. This is only the beginning.