Press Release

BT Financial Group honoured in 2009's CIO 100

Sydney / London / Chicago - 30 July 2009

ThoughtWorks is delighted to announce that Australian BT Financial Group's 'BT Super for Life' superannuation product, which was developed through a BT and ThoughtWorks' partnership, has been honoured in the global CIO 100 Awards this year.

The prestigious CIO 100 Awards honour 100 companies worldwide that are creating new business value by innovating with technology.

BT Financial Group, a leading Australian funds management provider and the wealth arm of Australia's largest bank, Westpac, offers customers online access to and control of their pension fund investments, completely integrated with their regular banking products. Government-mandated employer contributions to employee's superannuation savings have made the Australian funds management industry the 4th largest in the world. The new product, BT Super for Life , combines over 70 complex banking systems online, providing user-friendly access and 47% lower fees compared to average retail superannuation products.

An integrated onshore and offshore ThoughtWorks development team worked together with BT staff and third party vendors between February and October 2007 to create BT's vision.

ThoughtWorks Director of Sales and Marketing, Keith Dodds said that "an Agile approach to software development allowed BT to develop a product that combines the innovative use of technology with an excellent experience for BT/Westpac's customers."

"The result is a low-fee, highly featured superannuation product that integrates with online banking, provides simple lifestage investment alternatives, converts credit card points to superannuation dollars and provides no questions asked life insurance".

Catherine Galton, Head of Product for BT Super for Life, said:
"The agility of the ThoughtWorks team and its focus on delivery were fundamental to BT being able to create this revolutionary Super product. We are passionate about simplifying superannuation and making it easier for our customers to own and manage their life savings. With the advantage of our ThoughtWorks partners and the benefit of the innovative technologies they applied, we have been able to make the BT Super for Life vision a reality".

For further information about the product and the award category, the winner's profile can be found at: cio.com

The BT Super for Life product has also won the SuperRatings Fund of the Year award for Best New Product 2008 (within two weeks of its launch) and the 2008 Australian national iAward for Best Financial Application.

About ThoughtWorks

ThoughtWorks is a global IT consultancy. We develop bespoke applications and consulting services, delivered both on and offshore, with pride and passion. Our leadership in Lean and Agile methods helps our customers create business value sooner, more regularly and with less risk.

About BT Financial Group

BT Financial Group (BT) has been helping Australians create and manage wealth since 1969 and today is one of Australia's strongest wealth managers with more than $95 billion in total investments. BT is the wealth management arm of the Westpac Group, Australia's largest bank. BT's core business is providing investment, superannuation and retirement income products, administration services, financial advice and insurance solutions through a range of leading brands.

Press contacts

Katy White, ThoughtWorks
kwhite@thoughtworks.com
+44 (0) 20 7497 4500

Keith Dodds, ThoughtWorks Australia
kdodds@thoughtworks.com
+61 2 9224 1713

Catherine Galton, BT Financial
Head of Product - BT Super for Life
catherine.galton@btfinancialgroup.com
+ 61 2 8253 6332