The new voice capabilities are a first for a financial institution based in the state, and align to the bank’s focus on providing the greatest convenience and the best customer experience.

First Hawaiian Bank is utilizing Voice Banking: Amazon Alexa from Fiserv to enable customers to check balances and access transaction information, answering the most frequent requests made by bank customers. This initial set of capabilities will be available to customers this month, and First Hawaiian Bank will evaluate additional capabilities based on customer interest and demand and use of voice banking.

“Our customers want the freedom to choose how they interact with us,” said Eric Yeaman, President & COO, First Hawaiian Bank. “We have been working with Fiserv for several years to enhance our digital services and empower our customers with a wider range of choices in banking convenience. With voice-driven technology playing a bigger role in people’s lives, the time was right to introduce voice banking into that mix.”

According to the Expectations & Experiences consumer trends survey from Fiserv, 57 percent of consumers used voice-activated capabilities on a device in the past year. Of these, 17 percent performed banking functions using voice in the preceding month, including 26 percent of millennials (ages 18-37) and 24 percent of urban consumers. Voice banking users are highly engaged, using the capabilities just over 11 times per month on average.

Fiserv voice banking capabilities emphasize natural language processing, enabling intuitive interactions so people can manage their bank account as they would speak in conversation. Rather than being limited to a set of specific commands, once the skill is open, people can ask questions such as, “Alexa, what is my checking account balance?” or, “Alexa, what are my recent transactions?”

First Hawaiian Bank significantly expanded its existing relationship with Fiserv in 2015, updating and adding solutions for online and mobile banking and payments with an emphasis on delivering a unified experience across digital channels. The new voice banking capabilities will be integrated into and complement the bank’s current digital suite.

“As a customer-focused bank, First Hawaiian has earned a reputation for exceptional service,” said Kevin Schultz, president, Digital Banking, Fiserv. “Voice banking is another way the bank is expanding that spirit of service and connecting with customers through intelligent interactions that reflect how people live today.”