There couldn’t be a more exciting time than this to merge the industries of the ‘digits’ and the ‘digital’ to empower global financial well-being. Largely governed by the brick-and-mortar traditional setup, banks are at the forefront of digitization, and everybody, from service providers to consumers, don’t want to miss the plethora of benefits.
Like all apps, the consumer expectations for banking are also rising. Today, if your services are not providing in-the-moment and personalised experiences then most likely you are on the verge of an unforeseen fall.
The Sprinterra’s expertise on digital transformation for banks is enabling global enterprises in their journey to detach from the conventional process and prepare for the future economy over the web.
In this insightful post, we walk you through the scope of digital transformation for banking.
For banking and finance, digital transformation at large refers to banking software development for back-end and front-end processes. At the heart of it, the idea is to digitise the entire transaction landscape and enhance customer experiences.
‘Transformation’ involves modernising the traditional banking landscape and business models thereby providing services through the web, on to the devices. Key aspects of digital transformation in banking include:
By embracing cutting-edge technologies and user-centric solutions, financial institutions can enhance their service offerings, streamline processes, and remain competitive in a rapidly changing landscape.
According to a MarketsandMarkets report, the worldwide market size for digital banking platforms is projected to increase from USD 8.2 billion in 2021 to approximately USD 13.9 billion by 2026, recording a CAGR of 11.3%. The report credits this expansion to the rising demand of banking-as-a-service BaaS software.
The good old legacy systems are unable to accommodate an uncertain influx of customer data. These systems were created a long time ago when technology wasn’t as advanced as it is today. Because of this, these systems are inflexible and can’t easily work together with the modern digital technologies we have now. Since banking has to deal with highly confidential PII (Personal identifiable information) data sets, it is at risk of theft and attacks.
In the absence of banking as a service BaaS software, these systems were designed to be very stable and dependable, but they don’t easily work with the latest high-tech technologies used in modern banking. The answer to this problem involves using a multifaceted approach, including gradual plans to combine new digital abilities with existing operations.
It’s crucial to keep customer information safe and secure during this process to avoid disrupting important services and to build trust. Successfully overcoming this challenge allows banks to fully use the benefits of the digital age while keeping their operations running smoothly and making sure customers feel confident in their services.
Banking and regulations will always go together. Given the sensitivity of financial data, certain regulations such as the EU’s GDPR have gone the extra mile to implement strict laws. These regulations have the greater responsibility of ensuring end-to-end protection of customer data. However, existing bank infrastructure is miles away from being in sync with these laws. This is largely because GDPR and other compliance regulations were enforced in the last few years, whereas the banking infrastructure dates way back.
In partnership with the right banking software development company, financial institutions can mitigate the risk of unintentionally breaching these laws and develop world class infrastructure. At the same time, rise in awareness has educated customers who in return expect their banking partner to put necessary initiatives in place.
Banks should begin with a DPIA, a process that helps identify, assess, and manage the risks associated with their data processing practices. While planning your banking software development initiatives, include DPIA as an integral component of your data strategies.Finding the right balance between using new technology and obeying the rules is a careful journey. It’s about finding the right mix of innovation and doing what’s right according to ethical and legal standards.
Since digitization is growing at an unpredictable rate, banks may not have enough time to weigh their choices before embracing digital transformation. This is because more data without a strong security layer will be largely damaging. Till now, most of them are not able to fight different kinds of cyber threats, like hackers breaking into their systems or more complicated attacks.
At the same time, they have to ensure total convenience in use of services for the customers.This is where the balancing act comes in. Banks need to use strong methods, like advanced encryption, to keep data safe when it’s sent or stored. They also need to be able to quickly notice and respond to anything unusual happening in their systems.
Another important tool is multi-factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of protection to make sure only the right people can access accounts. In the end, having strong security and services that are easy for customers to use together make a solid foundation for a safe digital system. By carefully handling both aspects, banks can keep their customers and their data safe while they use digital services.
With the rise in demand for banking as a service BaaS software, enterprises have to deal with a new, impatient generation. Banking services that are not in sync with the trend have started to face significant damage to their reputation. This change in customer behaviour has compelled digital solutions to get more convenient, secure and interactive. However, due to the lack of a qualified banking software development partner, most enterprises are unable to take the first step.
To deal with this, banks need to come up with smart plans that focus on the customer. This calls for strategies to attract customers and create experiences that are special to them. These strategies don’t just make it easier for people who like the traditional ways; they also make digital services more attractive for everyone. By creating these thoughtful plans, like customised promotions or better ways to get things done, banks can make both the traditional and digital approaches work well together.
While working on banking software development, banks and their tech partners have to understand different customer preferences and offer options that cater to everyone. By doing this, they can handle this challenge skillfully. The outcome will be a harmonious mix where convenience and tradition come together, giving customers an easy and enjoyable experience that goes beyond any differences between old and new ways.
Rising customer expectations for seamless, personalised experiences are propelling digital transformation. As customers grow accustomed to tech-savvy services like instant payments and AI-powered chatbots, banks must adapt. For instance, DBS Bank’s “digibank” offers a completely digital experience, catering to customers’ desire for real-time services accessible on their smartphones. Other important factors triggering the digital revolution include, but are not limited to:
Blockchain and other emerging technologies
For those who have been following up on the explosive rise of the digital asset economy, they truly know how powerful blockchain has become. With products such as Defi and NFTs, blockchain is reincarnating banking into a user-governed democratic environment.
While blockchain transforms cross-border payments, other important technologies such as AI enhance fraud detection, and IOT provide in-the-moment insights. This trio truly defines the narrative of Web3, which is giving birth to more fintech startups and thus more requirements for banking software development. A very good example would be JP Morgan, one of the world’s finest financial consulting firms, which has set up its own private blockchain called Quorum.
Even Bank-of-America’s AI driven virtual assistant Erica is delivering personalised insights to customers and revolutionising the way they manage their portfolios.
Robotic Process Automation (RPAs)
Operational efficiency is perhaps one of the greatest motivations to embrace digital transformation in banking. Automation and digitization play a pivotal role in this endeavour by revolutionising internal processes. For example, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) takes charge of repetitive tasks, freeing up human resources for more strategic activities. Digital document management systems effectively curtail paperwork, reducing manual errors and expediting document retrieval.
A prominent example of operational transformation is seen in HSBC’s “Robo-Advisory” platform. By automating investment advice, this innovation accelerates the decision-making process, providing clients with swifter and more precise recommendations.
In tandem with RPA and digital document management, these advancements yield multifaceted benefits. First, they lead to time savings and error reduction, thereby enhancing overall operational accuracy. Second, they free up valuable human resources, enabling employees to focus on high-value tasks that require creativity and critical thinking. Third, automation contributes to cost savings through decreased manual labour and resource allocation. All of these, with the backing of the cloud have empowered banking as a service BaaS software implementations.
Regulatory Changes and Open Banking
As mentioned earlier, regulations have begun to mandate data sharing and this is leading to more innovation and competition. The European PSD2 directive obliges banks to share customer data with authorised third parties. This led to initiatives like BBVA’s open API platform which lets third-party developers create new financial products and services using BBVA’s data and services.
In this dynamic landscape, banks must leverage these factors to drive transformation, enhancing customer experiences, optimising operations, and securing their future relevance. Going forward, all major banking entities in the world have begun to make changes in their digital landscape to adhere to the new policies.
Sprinterra’s expertise in digital transformation for banks has a strong foundation in handling regulatory compliance.
An explosive rise of fintech startups
Fintech disruptors offer agile, user-centric solutions, pressuring traditional banks to innovate. Venmo, a peer-to-peer payment app, transformed the way people transfer funds, prompting banks to develop their own digital payment solutions. Partnerships between banks and fintechs, like JPMorgan’s collaboration with OnDeck, fuse traditional banking strengths with fintech’s agility.
While kickstarting banking software development initiatives, banks must consider the following:
More than anything else, banks must determine if current systems support digital initiatives or need updates. Partnering with technology experts and fintech firms yields innovative solutions and emerging tech, fast-tracking development through external insights and capabilities.
Over the years, we have been the backbone behind various BFSI enterprises and weaved success stories. Sprinterra’s expertise on digital transformation for banks has achieved the following returns for the partners:
Sprinterra elevates investment banking from conventional paradigms to digital heights. As investment banking takes center stage in ROI strategies, Sprinterra’s digital transformation expertise offers myriad opportunities to capitalise on.
Streamlined processes, data transparency, and alternative access to intellectual insights become the cornerstones of this change. It drives operational efficiency, expedites transactions, and paves the way for superior investor engagement.
Since the digital era demands personalised precision, Sprinterra enables investment banks to curate truly exclusive products for their customers.
Sprinterra helps investment banks reorient their customer-centric approach and align them with trends that write the narrative for customer satisfaction.
Sprinterra’s influence extends to compliance, where modern digital financial management systems simplify adherence to regulations. Automated auditing, standardised digital data, and timely updates through cloud-based payroll systems ensure that compliance is not just met but embraced effortlessly.
In a digital age where investment banking’s fabric is rewoven, partnering with Sprinterra is a strategic choice that unlocks operational efficiency, personalization, and innovation. With Sprinterra by their side, investment banks can navigate the complexities of the financial landscape with confidence, embracing digital transformation’s benefits and emerging as pioneers in a new era of banking.
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