Bendigo Bank adopts Google Cloud AI to boost staff skills & security
Bendigo Bank has entered a multi-year agreement to expand its adoption of Google Cloud technologies, integrating advanced artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and digital skills training across its operations and workforce.
AI integration
Bendigo Bank will roll out Gemini Enterprise from Google Cloud to all staff following a successful pilot that produced significant time savings and operational efficiencies. The pilot saw the bank introduce AI into several divisions, including consumer banking, finance, risk, marketing, and technology.
The wider deployment is expected to enhance productivity by automating tasks such as processing lending and refinancing applications, leveraging AI to accelerate document searches, and identifying financial crime risks. Developers at Bendigo Bank will also benefit from Gemini Code Assist, an AI-powered tool designed to expedite code development and deployment.
Staff have used generative AI for data analysis to identify gaps in the bank's products and respond to customer needs more precisely. These capabilities are being introduced to foster a more digitally enabled workforce and streamline customer-facing and internal processes.
Employee focus
The agreement is intended to provide Bendigo Bank employees with AI tools to support decision-making and improve operational workflows.
"This evolution in our relationship with Google Cloud is all about democratising AI. By putting these tools in the hands of every single one of our people, we're creating a workforce that's as well-equipped for the future as possible," said Richard Fennell, CEO, Bendigo Bank.
"The digital ecosystem we've built with Google Cloud will support our people to adopt an AI-first mindset and leverage this capability in the course of their working day, whether that is developing simpler and higher quality code or helping customers make more informed choices."
Security overhaul
As part of the expanded partnership, Bendigo Bank will migrate security operations to Google Security Operations and the Google Security Command Centre. These tools provide the bank with a centralised dashboard for governance and oversight, aiming to minimise security risks in its AI and data environment.
The move aligns with ongoing efforts to modernise Bendigo Bank's data storage, shifting warehouse environments onto Google BigQuery. This ensures tighter integration between data and cyber defence systems. In addition, the bank's VMware environments are also transitioning to Google Cloud infrastructure to support continuous operations without service interruptions.
Customer experience
Bendigo Bank says the adoption of Google Cloud's AI and security tools will ultimately allow the organisation to deliver more tailored services and products to its 2.9 million customers, while maintaining robust standards for trust, safety, and risk management.
Areas piloted so far include using automated lending and document processing to speed up customer transactions and employing AI models to improve detection and response times for suspicious activities or fraud.
Skills development
The agreement includes initiatives to build digital and AI skills within the bank's workforce. Gemini Enterprise is being deployed across all levels to encourage an 'AI-first' mindset and familiarise employees with practical applications in their day-to-day work.
"We are deeply committed to our long-term relationship with Bendigo Bank. Its dedication to customers and people has always been evident, and the adoption of Gemini Enterprise demonstrates the innovative spirit and commitment to making its workforce resilient and confident for the future," said Paul Migliorini, Vice President, Google Cloud Australia & New Zealand.
"Through our ongoing sharing of knowledge and best practices, we are confident that the bank's employees will become AI innovators in their own right, setting new standards for customer experience and performance that may resonate across Australia's entire financial services industry."
