Mobiles are not replacing brick-and-mortar banks soon

LONDON, UK: Is a cashless society the shape of things to come? Many predict a world without physical money, where people are prepared to carry out all their banking transactions through mobile devices. But few are willing to completely do without personal interaction with advisors. These were findings of a recent study conducted by GFT Technologies.

According to forecasts, by 2017 one billion people will be carrying out online financial transactions or engage in mobile banking. Marika Lulay, COO at GFT stated: "The bank that customers opt for will be largely dictated by the mobile banking options offered. The traditional banks will really feel the pressure placed on them by the direct banks and the providers of digital wallets, or in-app billing options."

One clear finding of the study: the key to success will be omni-channel banking. This is because customers use different banking channels in parallel - from smartphones to tablets and personal computers. As a result, the key challenge for the banks will be to match all the different processes involved and integrate them.

The GFT Study also clearly highlights the huge gaps between habits in different countries. In Spain and Brazil, over 60 per cent of respondents said they already use mobile banking solutions, whereas German customers were much more cautious about adopting new methods: only 26 per cent use their smartphone for banking purposes. The UK currently sits between these two extremes, with nearly 40 per cent of respondents adopting the mobile banking platform.

"If the customers' fears of fraud or security breaches can be overcome, this number is certain to rise," said Lulay. Additionally, over half of the respondents were unwilling to completely do without their local branch office: customers need personal contact, especially when it comes to larger transactions or credit arrangements.

The picture is different for money transfers, cash withdrawals or bank statements - areas where, according to the study, at some point soon traditional branches will not be required for these types of activities.

Lulay, recommends that the banks combine different sales channels into integrated offerings. The study points to a variety of pioneering brick-and-mortar concepts. Just some examples: Q110, the Deutsche Bank of the future, or San Francisco's first banking café, which is run by ING Direct and allows customers to open a new account while enjoying a cappuccino.