Mobile app facilitates Facebook payments

New Zealanders will soon be able to make payments through Facebook using a new mobile banking app being launched by ASB Bank, NZHerald.co.nz reports.

Available from mid-July, ASB Mobile will allow people to pay their Facebook 'friends' without using a bank account number, regardless of whether they are ASB customers or not.

The ability to pay and receive money via Facebook is a breakthrough for the New Zealand market, said Anna Curzon, ASB GM of brand experience and digital channels.

According to TVNZ, Curzon said the bank made the move because New Zealanders are spending an increasing amount of time on Facebook.

"The next step in this evolution is being able to seamlessly make payments from their smartphones, using Facebook as a channel," she said.

"We believe Facebook payments will be a popular addition to the range of payment options already available on ASB Mobile, which include payments by mobile numbers and e-mail addresses."