​In brief: Xero unveils Apple Watch app

Accounting software firm Xero (ASX: XRO) has released an app for Apple Watch aimed at small business owners.

The app features banking notifications so users can see when transactions have arrived and their updated balance. Users can also view accounts across multiple bank accounts with money received from a paid invoice shown first.

The app also notifies the wearer when bills have been paid.

Xero CEO Rod Drury said it released the app because small business owners need to access business tools at any time of the day or night.

“We know that they [small business owners] are often up before 6am and still hustling after 9pm. Cloud accounting makes it possible, and mobile apps take Xero everywhere,” he said in a statement.

Other financial services firms that have released Apple Watch apps this year include Westpac, St George, Commonwealth Bank, ING Direct and ANZ.