Starting a business is a really big milestone for an entrepreneur. When it comes to banking, there are many standard challenges every business faces when starting this journey.

Josie, created by ASB in partnership with FaceMe, is the first human-like interface powered by artificial intelligence to be used in Australasian banking. She has been designed to assist SME business owners with setting up a business.

Josie is the latest addition to ASB's suite of digital tools available for SME business owners in New Zealand.

"Our SME customers have been asking for easy access to relevant information so we're engaging with New Zealand's large SME population to understand the range of questions they have when setting up and managing a business. We're excited to develop this technology, but more importantly we're eager to see what Josie will help our customers achieve.”
- ASB Executive General Manager Retail Banking, Russell Jones.

Overview:
The ASB Group of companies is one of the largest providers of financial and insurance services in New Zealand. ASB Bank Limited is one of New Zealand's leading commercial banks, aiming to be 'one step ahead' in terms of both products and service.

Founded:
1847

Challenge:
Foster Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) growth in NZ.

Solution:
A first-of-its-kind digital assistant designed specifically for SME customers.

At a glance:

• Josie is a personalised, human-like interface powered by artificial intelligence.

• Much like the human mind, Josie's knowledge of what's required when setting up a successful business will develop with information through human interactions over time.

• She's so quick on the uptake that she responds to questions in less than 100milli second, making the interaction feel very natural.

• She was launch in 2018 and is available to help future business owners start a business.