Financial frontline. Development of digital services in the war time
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For this article, we partnered with Crédit Agricole
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War tests the strength of the financial system. Here, the key role belongs to stability of the bank as well as digitalization of services to enable customers to use their daily banking in any part of the world and round the clock. How do banks respond to the challenges of the war, develop and launch new digital products even during shelling and blackouts? Together with Crédit Agricole, we will tell you about the trends of the banking sector, challenges and changes in the behavior of users during the war.
Challenges and new banking trends
Good news: nearly a year after the start of the war, banks not only work in a stable manner but also implement effective innovative solutions in extreme conditions. As a result, services that took years to develop began to operate within a month. Bank application became probably the most important tool to satisfy financial needs of customers. In total, the number of bank mobile applications users increased from 61% to 65%, web-versions of internet banking – from 32% to 38%.
To be as simple as possible for use and available in any part of the world, in 2022 Credit Agricole focused on development of digital banking.
Its mobile application for individuals СА+ is among the market leaders with user rating 4.8 on AppStore and Google Play. During the war, the digital team reviewed client processes and focused on the most important tasks. In particular, the bank proposed remote identification of customers to let them save time required for branch visits and undergo the procedure when and where they prefer. The bank implemented transfers by phone number, and the option of donations in a few clicks.
Customers of the bank have already raised UAH 35.5 million of support to the army and people affected by the war via the mobile application.
They work without power supply
To respond to attacks on critical infrastructure, many banks moved their services to cloud storages this year. Thus, the banking is available even in case of power outages. Crédit Agricole created the third data processing center in the cloud with full backup of its data. As a result, the customers will have a continuous access to financial services even in case of significant physical damage to the bank infrastructure.
“We prepared ourselves to blackouts: our strategic infrastructure has backup power supply sources. We also helped others to be prepared: we donated 40 power generators to social institutions, hospitals, child-care centers in the total amount of nearly UAH 14.5 million. We supported our customers, accelerated our digitalization, and continued the implementation of all planned projects and investments. In particular, in the autumn, we launched CA+ Pro – our new modern internet-bank to simplify routine financial transactions for IT professionals and other private entrepreneurs”, Stephane Fallick, the Board Member of Credit Agricole, notes.
Crédit Agricole case. Focus on IT specialists
Creating banking products for a target audience is also a trend. Crédit Agricole has decided to focus on IT industry in particular – one of the most advanced industries that is contributing to the country withstanding the ordeal.
According to the Ministry of Digital Transformation, 533 service companies and 1701 product ones are operating in Ukraine. Since the start of the war, large IT companies have paid over UAH 187 million in taxes in advance, allocated UAH 352 million for humanitarian purposes and UAH 175 Million for the Armed Forces. The IT industry is definitely able and willing to do more.
Crédit Agricole’s main objective has been to develop comfortable banking for entrepreneurs with an intuitive interface and enjoyable design. So that the customers could carry out their daily transactions from anywhere – home, coffee shop, co-working space or a workshop.
Features
One of the advantages of the new internet banking is the option to get a qualified certificate for electronic signature in CA+ Pro. It enables the customers to save time, quickly and safely switch to electronic document flow and gives access to numerous digital services in addition to the financial ones. Qualified certificate for electronic signature in CA+ Prо is a full equivalent of the personal handwritten signature valid for 2 years that does not require any additional adjustments.
A successful IT entrepreneur should be able to combine business and personal needs in a harmonious manner, therefore, customers use the same data to log in to CA+ Pro and CA+ personal bank.
Crédit Agricole has created a coherent ecosystem of products and services for IT. Namely, a special package offer IT Professionals with preferential tariffs for currency sale and card packages with exclusive and premium services: personal manager, express-services and business lounges at airports of the world, etc.
Open an account with the bank online? Easy!
Crédit Agricole simplified the procedure of opening a current account for private entrepreneurs – there is no need to go to an outlet, everything can be done online. All one needs is to fill in the questionnaire on the website, go through the remote video-verification procedure and sign the agreement.
In place of the conclusion
On the social role of business in the wartime
The war has united Ukrainians and hardened our spirit, Banks’ approach to serving customers has also somewhat transformed in response to the new challenges and customers’ needs. The war has also shone light on the social responsibility of business and its will to assist the victims and participate in rebuilding of the country.
“Since the war broke out, our Crédit Agricole Group has been supporting Ukraine with concrete actions: suspended its activities in russia and established the solidarity fund of 10 million euros. We decided to cut costs for our commercial budget and allocate funds for the good initiatives as much as possible. Nowadays every good deed is a life saver, it is hope for tomorrow and such projects bring our victory closer. As a bank, we have implemented over 20 charitable projects for UAH 21 million since the war began. Together we work for the peaceful future in Ukraine and it is the best motivation to move forward with the hope that we are going to come out of this war stronger than ever”, shares Stephane Fallick, Board Member at Crédit Agricole.