In December 2014, HDFC Bank launched its ‘Go Digital – Bank aapki mutthi mein’ campaign on the banks of the Varanasi river with an aim to provide holistic banking services in all possible digital channels. Today, HDFC Bank provides 175+ banking transactions through its Net banking platform and 80+ transactions through Mobile banking (Mobile and Tablet apps)
With the launch of wearable devices and potential demand for wearable devices in India, consumers are highly likely to add yet another digital interface – a wearable device – to their current portfolio of devices. A banking experience on a personalized wearable device would take the consumer’s interaction with the bank to a whole new level.
Hence, HDFC Bank thought that it was the opportune moment to introduce a new category in digital banking, leveraging the emerging wearable platforms, and becoming the first bank in India to launch Watchbanking for Apple Watch.

Why Apple Watch?
HDFC Bank is starting with the Apple Watch and aims to provide banking services through all wearable devices across platforms like iOS and Android.
We have started with Apple Watch since it is designed from ground up keeping in mind what the user would want to do with such a device in a jiffy. HDFC Bank’s App has been made keeping this in mind and the features are chosen accordingly.

Features of HDFC Bank Watch Banking
HDFC Bank will provide a total of 10 banking transactions in the current launch phase. Some of them being View Account Information, Bill Payments, Recharges, Hotlisting facilities, locate nearest branch/ATM/offer, request statement/chequebook etc. Moreover, HDFC Bank’s WatchBanking does not require our customers to download a separate App. Customers can activate WatchBanking from an upgraded version of HDFC Bank’s MobileBanking App itself!

Security features and how will it work?
HDFC Bank brings in the same level of high security of its Mobile Banking App to its Watch Banking experience.
•    Any user information or data flow that happens, it if from the mobile phone to the bank’s secure servers. The watch is merely a projection device
•    For added security, there is a watch banking PIN that the user himself sets during the one time set-up process. This can be done only after entering his customer id and password known only to the user.
•    Additionally the Apple watch itself has a passcode lock just like other iOS devices.