Anna launches debit card that miaows

As any cat owner will testify, moggies are capable of making humans wither under their judgemental glare. Now, money management startup Anna is tapping into man's deep fear of his feline overlord with a debit card that miaows every time it is used.

  17 8 comments

Anna launches debit card that miaows

Editorial

This content has been selected, created and edited by the Finextra editorial team based upon its relevance and interest to our community.

Anna, a hybrid digital assistant for SMEs, that combines an app, card and business account, is rolling out the gimmick after consulting "animal psychologist" Ellena Hinson.

With 90% of small business failures attributed to cash flow problems, Anna claims that a sharp miaow emanating from its app everytime a payment is made could make users think more carefully about their spending.

Hinson goes so far as to suggest small biz owners look to cats for tips on managing their finances. "Miaowing is the perfect form of communication - it’s short, sharp but not intrusive, and alerts us to a cat’s needs immediately. Less jarring than a dog’s bark, but loud and direct enough to do the job, a miaow is the perfect sound for business owners looking to emulate a cat’s communication skills."

Clearly itself untroubled by cash flow concerns, Anna has roped in BBC Three comedian Luke McQueen for a spoof 'making of' video of the process - documenting how the perfect miaow was found and revealing some other card "innovations" that were considered, before inexplicably being ditched for cat noises.



(Ed: A catastrophic decision to run this, or a purrfect Friday story?)

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Comments: (8)

A Finextra member 

I suggested a human name for the payment venture two years ago, but it was not seen as cool. Now we have Marcus, Anna etc. But copying that now would be lame. The new trend is a meaningful name.

A Finextra member 

I'm a little bit disappointed that it's only available for business users.

David Gyori

David Gyori CEO at BANKING REPORTS, LONDON

Great. But is this the future of plastics? (This was a rhetoric question.)

Craig Lawrance

Craig Lawrance Sales Exec at Starkspur Ltd

Great- can I configure mine with the sound of a Rottweiler?

Graham Smith

Graham Smith Managing Director at Volopa Financial Services (Scotland) Limited

I'd like one that says "your wife has just spent £....."

Hal Carim

Hal Carim International Consultant at Axe Finance

Hope it also approves of that Purrrrfect Purrrrchase...

Jonathan Bowles

Jonathan Bowles Director at ImpactApp

yawn

A Finextra member 

i dont like cats and it sounds like your life is so boring you need a stupid noise to get a smile out.

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