ANZ customers in Samoa can now send and receive instant payments following the bank’s integration with the Samoa Automated Transfer System (SATS).

The newly operational Instant Funds Transfer (IFT) service allows 24/7 domestic transfers of up to $1,000 between participating banks, marking a significant upgrade to the country’s payment infrastructure.  

The Central Bank of Samoa developed the IFT system to modernise retail payments, with ANZ joining as one of the first commercial banks to implement the functionality.

Sucharu Tandon, ANZ’s Country Head for Samoa, confirmed the integration is now fully operational, giving customers immediate fund transfer capabilities without processing delays.  

SATS was first launched in May 2023 as part of Samoa’s broader digital financial strategy. The real-time payment feature positions ANZ to meet growing demand for faster transactions, particularly for small businesses and individuals requiring immediate fund availability.  

The Central Bank of Samoa has been coordinating with commercial banks and financial institutions to expand IFT adoption across the country’s banking sector. ANZ’s implementation follows extensive testing to ensure system security and reliability.  

This development aligns with regional trends toward instant payment systems in the Pacific, where ANZ maintains operations in multiple markets.

The bank has indicated it will continue collaborating with Samoan authorities on further financial infrastructure improvements.