Simon Bridges, the Auckland Chamber of Commerce CEO, and professional drift racer Mad Mike Whiddett, participated in an event showcasing the possibilities of digital banking using open banking technology.
The time trial, held at the Hampton Downs track, was developed by the local fintech company, Emerge. It was designed to highlight that banking processes do not have to be slow or burdensome. Bridges was tasked with signing up for an Emerge account from his mobile phone before Mad Mike could complete consuming a set of tyres during his drift racing on the circuit.
Bridges, who accomplished the sign-up process in under seven minutes while travelling at speeds up to 150 kmph, says, "By combining the adrenaline rush of high-speed drifting with a straightforward sign-up process, the time trial clearly shows that if I can navigate this process in these extreme conditions, alternatives to traditional banking can be just as agile and efficient."
Emerge is a fintech company based in New Zealand specialising in open banking. The company leverages real-time data-sharing and digital onboarding to offer streamlined services, contrasting with traditional banking models that involve lengthy paperwork and processing times. Jovan Pavlicevic, CEO of Emerge, emphasised that the collaboration with Bridges and Mad Mike was intended to visibly demonstrate the capacity of contemporary financial technology. "The banking industry has relied on the same slow and bureaucratic processes for decades," Pavlicevic remarked.
Pavlicevic continued, "At Emerge, we're proving that things don't have to be this way. Financial transactions and banking services should be as effortless as sending a text message or streaming a video. The time trial was an exciting way to demonstrate that banking can be fast, intuitive, and perfectly suited to the modern world."
Pavlicevic also commented on the modern consumer's expectations for immediate service delivery across different sectors including finance. He noted that traditional banking often does not meet the demands for speed and simplicity. "People don't have the patience to deal with lengthy forms, unnecessary branch visits, or waiting days for approvals. We built Emerge to remove these roadblocks. Our platform allows customers to sign up in minutes, manage their money in real time, and access the financial tools they need without friction," he explained.
Emerge has committed to not only offering faster services but also to empowering its users financially through innovative tools. These include smart budgeting solutions, real-time transaction insights, and secure open banking integrations designed to give users full control over their finances. "With open banking, people aren't tied to a single financial institution anymore. They can connect multiple accounts, get a clear picture of their financial health, and make informed decisions in seconds. That level of accessibility is what Emerge is all about," Pavlicevic added.
Pavlicevic concluded by aligning the high-speed demonstration at Hampton Downs with Emerge's overall mission to advance convenience and control in regular banking activities. "What we're creating with Emerge is not just a faster experience - it's a smarter, more accessible way to manage money," he said.
