Brett King on Generation Y
31 October 2011 |
Last week we took on a new Swedish trainee called Alex (welcome Alex!). We used the presentation below from Brett King on the Future of Banking as a way of introducing some of the newer banking concepts that are being discussed. Very useful indeed - and I even think Alex enjoyed it! So in the...keep reading
05 January 2012 |
Danske Bank introduce photo-bill pay feature and engaging social media initiative
02 March 2011 |
Mapa have a strong presence in Sweden where we are keeping a close eye on digital banking developments among retail banks. Just recently we have carried out research as part of our regularly updated competitor intelligence service covering Swedish mobile banking and SMS services. Findings from...keep reading
Early adopters show the way
07 March 2011 |
The iPad phenomenon and how it will affect online banking forever
When we started looking at the iPad and other tablet computers recently in terms of online banking we were unsure as to what the ramifications would be for Financial Services providers. Whilst it is still early days, the early...keep reading
Handelsbanken also becomes the first Swedish bank to launch iPad Banking app
06 April 2011 |
The March update of the Swedish Internet Banking dashboard recorded a couple of interesting changes, again the focus remained on mobile services and social media.
Following the introductions of new tablets we are still waiting for banks to fully adopt this new channel. A small first step has...keep reading
New Mobile banking service launched
04 May 2011 |
The latest online competitor intelligence update of the Mapa Credit Card dashboard recorded over 20 changes.
This quarter Barclaycard joined the mobile banking bandwagon and launched a new mobile service for its existing Internet Banking customers. The service can be accessed on most web...keep reading
Attracting customers online with Social Media and Competitions
27 May 2011 |
Besides the regular UK dashboards Mapa produce every quarter, we are also preparing dashboards on an international basis.
Last week I was putting together an international internet banking dashboard, looking at 6 providers from 3 continents and 6 countries. These have been selected on a Best...keep reading
Banks continue to update their online banking platforms, but opportunities for improvement still exist
21 June 2011 |
Santander made the most significant changes by introducing a new internet banking platform. Along with a new look, the new platform offers customers a broader range of banking facilities. Customers can now communicate with the bank via secure messages, change their security and personal...keep reading
First Direct take pole position with new iPhone app
27 June 2011 |
The June update of Mapa’s mBanking and SMS dashboard has yet again uncovered a treasure chest of innovative and ergonomic mobile service changes across the globe.
Bankinter (Spain) has just launched a new piece of technology for their Broker app that identifies clients through iris...keep reading
Mapa's findings from the world of customer surveys
12 July 2011 |
For around 20 years Mapa has been monitoring online bank accounts. Whilst many changes have taken place, one consistent, but sporadic theme, has been the use of customer surveys. Recently and perhaps related to the Credit Crunch, Mapa has seen a spike in the amount of surveys used by banks and...keep reading
Plus some new insights from new providers
21 November 2011 |
The recent quarterly update of one of our international dashboards was very eventful, as we added two new financial service providers to the research. ABN Amro replaced ANZ bank (AU) and BNP Paribas (FR) substituted Société Générale (FR). These new providers have proven to be a valuable asset...keep reading
Mobile Innovation and changes continue unabated
19 December 2011 |
Christmas has come early for the Mobile Banking industry as Mapa releases its International Mobile and SMS Banking Dashboard. The findings will give many a festive cheer as the industry reveals itself to be in rude health. The rate of change in this area is extraordinary with most banks...keep reading
A blog will keep customers informed during the bank’s secure site makeover
07 October 2008 |
Mapa’s September Swedish Internet Banking update highlights how banks in the region are both improving, and innovating on their websites.
Swedbank have introduced a quote and buy car- and home insurance service within the secure site. A nice feature is that customers have the option to save...keep reading
Make the process easy and customer will see it through, says Mapa
31 October 2008 |
Mapa has recently completed a global research project which compared the new bank account opening process of over 40 banks in 10 countries. The work included an audit of account selector tools, the online application process, decision delivery, debit card delivery and gaining access to internet...keep reading
Text chat added by private medical insurers PruHealth and Standard Life Healthcare
06 November 2008 |
October’s bi-monthly Private Medical Insurance (PMI) Dashboard monitored over 20 changes.
Previously text chat was offered only on product pages by three out of the 13 monitored PMI providers. Over the past two months this service has seen an increase in use across providers, firstly due to...keep reading
Quick access to mini-statements and messages for customers
27 January 2009 |
MBNA has launched a desktop widget for their credit card customers called MBNA Connect. The tool allows customers to set message alerts like they spend over a certain amount (min. £100). Customers can also see a mini-statement of transactions. You’ll see in the screenshot below (taken from the...keep reading
8 facts why mobile banking could take off this time
28 January 2009 |
More statements available online and games to play in your spare time
03 February 2009 |
The January update of Mapa’s Credit Card Dashboard revealed another active quarter with over 35 changes being recorded.
The majority of the changes are about enhancing the experience of existing customers from within internet banking, for example Capital One and MBNA have both increased the...keep reading
Mapa on viral marketing
16 March 2009 |
There is no doubt that more Flash games or ‘advergames’ are appearing on the web, and I for one will admit not simply to playing them but to enjoying them. The question is what’s the point in a bank having one of these games?
Barclaycard recently added a simple flash game to their site and...keep reading
New service introductions in several countries including NatWest (UK), BB&T (US), SNS Bank (NL) and Nordea (SE)
20 March 2009 |
NatWest becomes the first High-Street bank in the UK to introduce international mobile money transfers. NatWest now provide the option for Polish & Non Resident Indian Welcome Account customers to transfer money to Polish PKO BP Bank and Indian ABN AMRO bank accounts respectively. This is as...keep reading
Despite continued explosive market growth in Social Media participation, early adopters amongst banks are paring back their investments
02 April 2009 |
Last month at a gathering of leading European Bank Social Media proponents, that I attended, a new mood of somberness prevailed. Whilst enthusiasm and belief in the new media form was undiminished the new reality of banking cut backs and consolidation was clearly in evidence.
Leading...keep reading
Barclays refreshes public site pages and banks continue to extend free periods
10 June 2009 |
This quarter’s update of Mapa’s UK Mobile Banking Dashboard shows Barclays improving the public site .mobi pages, both cosmetically and from a sales perspective. Prominent marketing messages now sit at the top of the landing page as well as a new link to ‘Great offers from Barclays’ (see...keep reading
Leading bank includes all payment options within application process.
11 June 2009 |
As part of our on-going Mapa Swedish Banking dashboard competitor monitoring service we recently opened eight savings accounts from within Internet Banking.
It is no surprise that all banks except one provide an instant account opening. What did surprise us was the divergence in approach to...keep reading
Prize draws increasingly used to encourage online statements sign up and product applications
24 June 2009 |
Mapa’s Internet Banking Dashboard of June 2009 revealed several prize draws launched by banks. Halifax, NatWest and RBS launched prize draws to urge customers to switch off paper statements and view their statements online within Internet Banking instead.
As a reward for switching off...keep reading
Handelsbanken join the trend of card reader introductions
07 July 2009 |
In May Handelsbanken started introducing card readers to their customers. The new security method will gradually be introduced to customers until the year end. Handelsbanken have clearly been focusing on communicating this change to customers - well before the introduction customers were...keep reading
Weakening consumer ties highlight the importance of enhancing the online banking experience
18 August 2009 |
I recently saw a Gartner survey, conducted with UK and US consumers that highlighted some interesting features around today’s online banking consumer.
I found it particularly interesting to note that as part of the research whilst more than half of the respondents said that they used only one...keep reading
Comedy-drama introduced to strengthen customer relations
03 September 2009 |
Last week Swedbank’s web TV series named ‘Somewhere in life’ had its premier on Swedbank.se. During the autumn Swedbank customers will be entertained and inspired regarding private financial matters in this web TV series consisting of 12 2-3 minute episodes. Swedbank have been co-operating with...keep reading
High-Street banks promote student accounts using microsites and Facebook
09 September 2009 |
With students being internet and social media savvy, it comes as no surprise that banks promote their student account offering using different channels. Mapa research discovered student microsites for Abbey, Barclays, HSBC and Lloyds TSB. Abbey uses their microsite to promote an account...keep reading
Swedish internet and mBanking: continuing development into the New Year
23 December 2011 |
Mapa recently produced its final quarterly report for 2011 monitoring the Swedish Internet Banking and mBanking Dashboard. Here are some of the major changes that have occurred over the past three months:
Increasing their presence in social media undoubtedly remains a top priority for many of...keep reading
Mapa review the changes monitored during the year; some key trends emerge
03 January 2012 |
Throughout the year Mapa researchers have been busy updating online competitor intelligence dashboards, and posting stories about the changes encountered. These dashboards cover a broad spectrum of the Financial Services market including banking, credit cards, general insurance, loans, mobile,...keep reading
