96% bankers agree wearables set to change banking

Misys, the leading financial software company, recently published global research that shows banks need to accelerate their wearables strategies to meet consumer demand.
While 96 per cent of banking professionals agree that wearable technology will impact their industry, only 15 per cent already have, or are currently rolling out, a wearable app. Seventy-two per cent say wearables are on their three-year roadmap, while 52 per cent will have a wearable app in the next 18 months.
Misys conducted this research in September 2015, polling 166 retail banking professionals from financial institutions around the world, during a webinar with Samsung Business Europe.
Of banks that have no wearables strategy in place, 78 per cent are in the EU and US, demonstrating stronger appetite for innovation from Latam and Asian regions. This does not reflect demand however, as a recent NPD study found that 15.6 million smartwatches and activity trackers are forecast to be sold in North America and 12.5 million in Western Europe in 2015.
Two thirds of banks claim proximity payment is the most attractive wearable capability, while 31 per cent state greater fraud protection through push notifications is a compelling feature. In the future, banks suggest authentication processes (64 per cent) and the ability to send push messaging (47 per cent) will increase adoption of wearable technology among banking customers.
A recent Misys-Efma study highlighted that banks are tipping the next three years as the era in which digital, customer-driven sales will be ushered in. The forecast leap from 13 per cent today to 75 per cent of sales conducted via digital channels by 2018 is significant. With 82 per cent believing that smart watches will facilitate financial transactions in the future, it is not a trend to be ignored...
Balazs Vinnai, general manager, Digital Channels, Misys, said: "Banks continue to face challenges with their digital strategies so it is no surprise only a small percentage currently support wearables. We know that today less than two per cent of all sales are conducted via mobile, the stepping stone to wearable technology. It is critical for banks to consider new digital channels as part of an integrated strategy and evolve from first to second generation digital banking: switching digital from a supporting role, to the primary sales and communication channel for banks. Reengineering processes around the customer is not easy, but banks must embrace digital banking to remain competitive and relevant."
Misys brings disruptive innovation to its 2,000 customers worldwide. Its portfolio of next generation digital channels - FusionBanking Essence Digital - includes online and mobile banking, personal financial management, gamification and digital sales. Misys was the first software provider to launch a concept for the Apple Watch in March 2015. More than 30 banks around the world use FusionBanking Essence Digital, including UBS, Unicredit and ZUNO.
- business@khaleejtimes.com