<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2023/01/Fintech-trends-banner-2.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" width="100%" height="358">2022 was a rollercoaster for the fintech industry. Macroeconomic upheavals, intensifying competition, and regulatory headwinds contributed to the great fintech reset. However, with advances in technology innovation, increasing digital adoption, and improving public infrastructure, the industry overcame hurdles and emerged stronger. Swimming against the tide with turnaround strategies and course corrections, fintech businesses collaborated, consolidated, and diversified to enable sustainable and accessible financial solutions without compromising on people, compliance, and growth. Now, the future of fintech is bright. Blurring boundaries and transforming the way people transact, fintech has been a beacon of hope to many. People across all walks of life and in remote corners without access to fancy smartphones and devices have been able to access digital banking and financial services just by using biometrics and other fintech-led payments. Fintech companies have played a phenomenal role in facilitating this financial inclusion without greater emphasis on security, speed, or convenience. Valued at around $132 billion in 2022,&nbsp;the fintech industry is estimated to grow at 25% CAGR to reach <a class="link" href="https://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/fintech-market">$324 billion</a> in 2027. The ability to improve accessibility, drive inclusion, enhance customer experience, and reduce costs are key drivers behind the growth projection.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/future-of-core-banking-systems/">Core Banking</a>, <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/rbis-new-digital-lending-guidelines-will-it-be-a-game-changer/">Digital Lending</a>, <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/factors-and-psychology-behind-the-great-bnpl-allure/">Buy Now Pay Later</a> (BNPL), <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/upi-the-driver-of-economic-growth-and-inclusion/">Unified Payments Interface (UPI),</a> Credit Cards, and other <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/ready-to-sneak-peek-into-global-cashless-societies/">Cashless</a> Payment modes dominated markets, while Blockchain emerged resilient with RBI adopting the technology for CBDC. Collaborations, consolidations, and platformizations last year set a great tone for 2023.<h2 class="heading-node" id="qp5iitvs9" style="text-align: justify">Trends we can expect in 2023</h2>Consistent customer-centric innovations, partnerships between banks and fintechs, regulatory interventions, and better accessibility - all point towards a promising future for fintech. Here are a few trends we can expect to see in 2023.<ul class="list-node" id="jxu8ecnrq"><li><a class="link" href="#embeddedfinance">Embedded Finance</a></li><li><a class="link" href="#sf">Sustainable Fintech</a></li><li><a class="link" href="#af">Alternative Financing</a></li><li><a class="link" href="#sa">Super Apps</a></li><li><a class="link" href="#ai">Artificial Intelligence</a></li><li><a class="link" href="#cp">Contactless Payments</a></li><li><a class="link" href="#bc">Blockchain</a></li><li><a class="link" href="#mv">Metaverse</a></li></ul><h3 class="heading-node" id="embeddedfinance" style="text-align: justify">1. Embedded Finance &nbsp;</h3><a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/embedded-finance-101-the-bridge-connecting-tech-and-financial-services/">Embedded finance</a> will see exponential growth in 2023 with emerging models that will help businesses thrive. Valued at over <a class="link" href="https://www.simon-torrance.com/blog/EmbeddedFinance1#:~:text=Embedded%20Finance%20offers%20one%20of%20the%20most%20exciting,value%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20top%20thirty%20banks%20today.">7 trillion-dollar</a>, embedded finance enables smooth integration of financial services into non-financial platforms or applications. Subsets of embedded finance viz., embedded credit, embedded payments, embedded insurance, and embedded banking will majorly benefit SMEs, MSMEs, and other app-based businesses by helping them scale product offerings and customer lifetime value while monetizing their customer base. As the embedded finance space grows, businesses will have the leeway to lower expenses, increase revenue streams, and innovate to deliver personalized, customer-centric products and services, while fintechs handle the heavy lifting on technology, compliance, and delivery.<h3 class="heading-node" id="sf" style="text-align: justify">2. Sustainable Fintech</h3>As the world heads towards net-zero and decarbonization by 2030, fintechs need to take sustainability seriously. In 2023, financial health, <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/how-m2p-maps-sustainability-with-finance/">sustainable practices,</a> and environmental well-being will be deeply interconnected. A recent Eurogroup survey shows us that 67% of consumers demand sustainability engagement from their bank. &nbsp;And according to a study by Cornerstone Advisors, 70% of Gen-Z and Millennial consumers wanted to track their carbon footprint. Customers are eager to understand how their spending habits affect climate change and if their financial service provider invests in businesses that harm the environment. Being transparent with sustainability practices, incentivizing sustainable engagement, and introducing metrics to track climate impact, could be starting steps to transform businesses into <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/climate-fintech-fintechs-leading-the-green-tech/">green powerhouses</a>.<h3 class="heading-node" id="af" style="text-align: justify">3. Alternative Financing &nbsp;</h3>There was a time when traditional financial players dominated the lending industry. But those times are changing now. Secure alternative financing options from non-banking fintech companies are emerging rapidly. In fact, the alternative financing industry is valued at <a class="link" href="https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/alternative-financing-market-report">$6.62 billion</a> and is expected to grow at 20% in 2023. The lending industry is democratized with co-lending business models to serve versatile customers, SMEs, MSMEs, and businesses across size and scale.&nbsp;With more core lending players entering the game, evolving regulatory frameworks, and a vast consumer base in need and with access to equitable financial instruments, the alternative financing market is ripe for the taking.<h3 class="heading-node" id="sa" style="text-align: justify">4. Super Apps&nbsp;</h3>2023 will the year for <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/super-apps-in-consumer-banking-what-role-does-open-banking-play/">super apps</a>. It will be the swiss army knife for businesses as it consolidates multiple applications and eliminates the need for customers and employees to toggle between disparate applications. Just one super app will be able to provide enhanced mobile-first experiences across an aggregated range of services for the growing digital-native generation. Gartner predicts that by 2027, more than 50% of the global population will be active users of super apps. So, it's high time financial businesses leverage the first-mover advantage and develop super apps that fuses the beneficial attributes of an app, platform and digital ecosystem.<h3 class="heading-node" id="ai" style="text-align: justify">5. Artificial Intelligence (AI)</h3>High on data and customer experience, fintech industry will rely heavily on AI for analytics, decision-making, and customer support. Facilitating seamless onboarding, compliance, product customizations, and payments, AI will be the game changer that reduces overhead cost and operational risk along with improving security, and sorting legacy issues. Valued at <a class="link" href="https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/artificial-intelligence-in-fintech-market-report">$9.4 bn</a>, <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/how-is-ai-changing-the-financial-industry-top-6-use-cases-in-fintech-and-banking/">AI in fintech</a> holds a 16.5% growth potential. And Machine Learning (ML)-based models have been adopted by companies in the financial space to ace real-time target marketing and risk management. But here’s the billion-dollar question. Will AI ever replace humans in fintech? We don’t think so. &nbsp;Complement yes. But not replace.<h3 class="heading-node" id="cp" style="text-align: justify">6. Contactless Payments</h3>The pandemic made contactless payments and shopping the new norm. And there’s no turning back from there.&nbsp; Offering immense speed, security, hygiene, and convenience, technologies like NFC, RFID, and QR codes have simplified checkouts and have taken the payments industry by storm. Valued at $2.2 bn, the contactless payments market is expected to grow at 20% CAGR to reach <a class="link" href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220106005590/en/The-Worldwide-Contactless-Payment-Industry-is-Expected-to-Reach-12.6-Billion-by-2030---ResearchAndMarkets.com">$12 bn</a> by 2030. As research firms predict exponential growth in wearables, smart devices and contactless cards, fintechs must keep up with the demand for contactless payments.<h3 class="heading-node" id="bc" style="text-align: justify">7. Blockchain</h3>The future of <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/blockchain-and-fintech-use-cases-and-applications/">blockchain</a> is solid despite setbacks like the crypto crash. Its inherent strength in security, transparency, speed, cost efficiency, and efficient storage will play out as Web3 and <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/central-bank-digital-currency-cbdc-101-a-primer/">CBDC</a> adoption increases. Blockchain-based data sharing, smart contracts, payment tracking, peer-to-peer lending, encryptions, decentralized architectures and ecosystems, and cybersecurity will be key emerging trends in 2023. The fintech blockchain market size is expected to hit <a class="link" href="https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/fintech-blockchain-market-38566589.html#:~:text=The%20FinTech%20blockchain%20market%20is%20expected%20to%20grow,Rate%20%28CAGR%29%20of%2075.9%25%20during%20the%20forecast%20period.">$6.2 mn</a> by the end of 2023. So, it's high time fintechs give blockchain some mndspace.<h3 class="heading-node" id="mv" style="text-align: justify">8. Metaverse</h3>Sparking some of the hottest tech discussions, metaverse shook the world with its decentralized, community-owned, virtual utopia. &nbsp;Though in the early developmental stages, metaverse is considered to be the next big evolution in the world of fintech, with the potential to transform how people work, shop, live, and transact. According to a recent Goldman Sachs research, metaverse could give rise to a <a class="link" href="https://newseu.cgtn.com/news/2022-06-13/Metaverse-valued-at-12-trillion-a-year-to-the-global-economy-1aKNYwIjyp2/index.html">$12 trillion</a> virtual economy with intense activity around cross-border payments, financial assets creation, safekeeping and trading. Leveraging Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), this virtual phenomenon enables fun and personalized banking and transactions. But the flipside of metaverse is the security concerns that may arise, which if addressed will hold massive promises for the fintech industry. With this we conclude our fintech trends for 2023. While it is challenging to predict exactly how fintech will unfold, we can say with reasonable certainty that 2023 will be an interesting one for the industry, India, and the world. What do you think of these trends? Let us know in the comments! Have a great 2023! Stay connected for the latest fintech news, views, updates, and more.<a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/newsletter/">Subscribe</a>&nbsp;to our newsletter and get the latest fintech news, views, and insights, directly to your inbox. Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for insightful fintech tales curated for curious minds like you.

8 Fintech Trends to Look Out for in 2023

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/11/Super-Apps-in-Banking-blog_Word-press.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" width="100%" height="479">Imagine an app that allows you to access your bank accounts, make payments, take out loans, handle your insurance policies, monitor your investment dashboard, and more—all in one!Wouldn't that be the epitome of convenience? Such nifty apps are no longer a fiction.&nbsp;Embrace yourself when we say these SUPER APPS are on their way to radically disrupt the way we know accessibility in digital banking.&nbsp;Before diving deep into Super apps in consumer banking, let us quickly recap what a Super app is.<h2 class="heading-node" id="ny0ld8tzi" style="text-align: justify">What are Super apps?</h2>A Super app is a single portal that powers a wide range of functions and services shaped around users' daily lifestyle needs. Technically, a super app is a collection of multiple niche applications that establish an ecosystem of fully-integrated third-party services aided by a payment system. This creates a mini operating system that acts like a digital assistant, working at the user's convenience as one can stay in the app to carry out a multitude of tasks.Although the concept has been creating massive buzz recently, it isn't new. Businesses like TenCent, Alipay, Grab, Paytm, and Gojek have been the frontrunners for years. Let us give you a quick overview of how some of these companies support an all-inclusive platform.TenCent is a Chinese company that started as a simple messaging platform (named WeChat). Once they built their billion-plus customer base, they slowly set up a network of services, including virtual wallets, payments, hotel reservations, taxi rides, medical consultations, games, and much more.An example that is closer to home is Paytm. In 2010, Paytm was launched as a payment application. Today, it offers a comprehensive set of services, including online shopping, credit cards, loans, repayments, microloans, BNPL, insurance, ticketing services, retail brokerage products, online games, and more on its platform. Given the platforms' extensive acceptance, several fintechs are now trying to recreate a similar model customized to their customer bases.<h2 class="heading-node" id="zehxh25s4" style="text-align: justify">What makes them Super?</h2>What marks off a Super app from a regular app is the element of multifunctionality, comprehensiveness, and data privacy. Further, it best suits businesses with extensive data and a large customer base. In addition, rendering a gamut of services and products through one application gives customers a sense of belonging, ownership, and safety, which significantly enhances the customer experience.Here are some of the key factors that contributed to the popularity and success of Super apps.One-click relevance: Provides customers with personalized overviews and product offers. Rolling everything customers need to transact through daily life into a Super app is one way to core relevance and success.&nbsp;Real-time communications: Chatbot interactions that offer real-time assistance, including upselling, fraud prevention, nudges, and recommendations.&nbsp;Connectivity: Anything from financial, business, lifestyle, and health to government can be accessed through one app.<h2 class="heading-node" id="n493lw6t3" style="text-align: justify">Super apps in Consumer Banking</h2>Super apps in the banking sector are a rare feat. Conversely, fintechs quickly recognized the potential of enabling ultra-personalization and budget automation using AI-powered financial assistants. They are keen to build Super apps that can leverage aggregators with established digital marketplaces to connect users with an existing ecosystem for digital banking and financial services.Ideally, a financial Super app is a multi-function digital banking and <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/the-rise-of-digital-payments/" target="">payments</a> solution featuring financial services that are beyond payments. The app must enable consumers to perform most of their daily activities digitally, like bill and fee payments, purchases, fund transfers, bookings, tickets, subscriptions, investment management, and insurance purchases and management. Interestingly, the list can keep adding as many functionalities as possible to improve customer engagement and satisfaction.According to recent studies, about 50% of consumers use mobile application or website at least once a week to interact with their bank. This stands as a testimony that today's consumers and businesses expect their banks to be a tap away and swiftly adapt to their digital needs. Experts believe, with embedded finance and open banking, any provider can become a super app that serves as a gateway that delivers the ever-growing demand for convenience in the banking process — rather than just a series of disconnected/loose-ended financial services.When it comes to consumer banking, it's all about comprehensive experience in a Super app environment. And it takes more than just tech. It requires full partner-network management, a clear understanding of compliance, rights, responsibilities, liabilities, commitment to developing a broad-ranging ecosystem, and more. For instance, a <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/neo-banking-101-all-you-need-to-know/">Neobank</a> can provide an 'N' number of financial products and services by integrating with regulated FI at the back end and tech-driven fintech at the front end.Essentials of Financial Super apps Intuitive user experience and interconnectedness are the cornerstones of a financial Super app. These will allow users to easily access all available features. Here are some of the key elements that a financial Super app must include:<ul class="list-node" id="52ez20cgw"><li>Shared wallet&nbsp;</li><li>Savings accounts&nbsp;</li><li>Budgeting tools&nbsp;</li><li>Bill reminders</li><li>Auto bill payments&nbsp;</li><li>Managing subscriptions&nbsp;</li><li>Investment options&nbsp;</li><li>QR code payments and rewards</li></ul><h2 class="heading-node" id="sw6d1s7fn" style="text-align: justify">How Open Banking powers Super apps?</h2>Super apps use financial data from multiple sources to create financial products and services to meet customers' needs.But how do they get to know what their users need?What provides them with the information they need to create an omni-channel experience?Enter Open Banking.Open banking is the foundation of interoperability in the banking sector. For novices, Open Banking system uses <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/api-the-power-that-drives-new-age-banking-ecosystems/">APIs</a> to provide third-party financial service providers access to consumer banking, transactions, and other financial data from banks and NBFCs. To understand the working of Open Banking, read <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/open-banking-a-primer-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.The Open Banking system presents the platform with a spectrum of opportunities to tailor financial services to cater to each user's requirements. It employs advanced technologies like AI, ML, and Data Analytics to maximize personalization and build customer-relevant products by leveraging customers' data. Using advanced technology to analyze data and develop customer-centric products/services fosters data-sharing culture and data-driven decision-making across the ecosystem.With the help of Open Banking, Super apps can empower customers to check their account balances, make payments, track recent transactions, and perform other traditional banking operations from the app's digital wallet. This strikingly reduces the need to access a bank's app. In addition, as Open Banking expands into open finance and open data, Super apps can access and connect with a wide range of partners to augment go-to-market speed for new products and broader their customer base.<h2 class="heading-node" id="9eqqd85qv" style="text-align: justify">API Inference</h2>API infrastructure is the essence of embedded finance and open banking. A good API provider wraps intricacies like disputed payments and connecting to multiple suppliers inside the API system. This allows intended apps to work together in several ways and develop a comprehensive ecosystem. In addition, APIs empower Super apps to handle extensive, inter-connected data through multiple levels without disturbing the user journey. Fintechs leverage APIs to seamlessly incorporate functionalities into cloud-native apps. They employ full-fledged, mobile-first, customizable API stack to simplify consumer banking and enable end-to-end customer-centric retail offerings.Want to understand the nuts and bolts of Super apps? Write to us at <a class="link" href="mailto:business@m2pfintech.com">business@m2pfintech.com</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;To boot, what would an ideal Super app be for you? Let us know in the comments below.&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/newsletter/">Subscribe</a> to our newsletter and get the latest fintech news, views, and insights directly to your inbox.&nbsp;Follow us on <a class="link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/">LinkedIn</a> and <a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech">Twitter</a> for insightful fintech tales curated for curious minds like you.

Super Apps in Consumer Banking - What Role does Open Banking Play?

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/09/MicrosoftTeams-image-9.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" width="100%" height="253">The world of banking has transformed over the years. Customer experience has now become a key differentiator. Personalization, speed, convenience, and security have evolved as factors that determine profitability.To keep pace with the changing customer expectations and the competitive landscape, banks need to modernize their core banking systems. Only then can they scale technology innovation, upgrade processes, and re-engineer their workforce to deliver mobile-first, personalized customer experiences while reducing cost and complexities.Go beyond the surface and explore more.<ul class="list-node" id="dnjdyenon"><li><a class="link" href="#21">What are Core Banking Systems?</a></li><li><a class="link" href="#11">Evolution of Core Banking Systems</a></li><li><a class="link" href="#31">Turing Core Banking System (CBS)</a></li><li><a class="link" href="#41">What’s New in Core Banking?</a></li><li><a class="link" href="#51">Final Word</a></li></ul><h2 class="heading-node" id="21" style="text-align: left">What are Core Banking Systems?</h2>Centralized Online Real-time Environment (CORE) banking systems serve as the technical infrastructure that enables banks to manage their day-to-day operations efficiently and seamlessly. They facilitate branch agnostic transactions across multiple touchpoints worldwide.Hosted on-premise or in the cloud, core banking provide a singular view of customer data to facilitate information flow and operational excellence across delivery channels. It simplifies services such as new account creation, customer relationship management, transaction processing, loan issuing, and servicing. Banks can achieve greater cost and operational efficiencies by making the big shift from legacy to modern <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/core-banking-essentials-types-components-advantages/">core banking solutions</a>.<h2 class="heading-node" id="11" style="text-align: left">Evolution of Core Banking Systems</h2>Core banking is not a new phenomenon. It had a humble beginning in the 1970s with rigid codes and basic computerizations and evolved with technological advances, product innovations, and customer requirements to be what it is today.<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/09/Infpgraphic-1.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" width="100%" height="253"><h3 class="heading-node" id="hefhm2ugl" style="text-align: left">1st Generation Core Banking System – Basic Computerization</h3>From 1970 to 1990 CBS began taking root in the banking industry. At its most primal form, the system functioned on basic computerization techniques and was developed in-house by most banks.The 1st gen CBS used monolithic applications that were based on complex codes. The IT costs were quite high, and it offered only a few basic features like transaction execution, record-keeping, and customer data management. Sequential data were stored in silos, and transactions were processed in batches at the end of the day.So, <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/tale-of-money-transfers-from-hawala-to-one-click-remittances/">money transfers</a> and <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/future-of-payments-processing-matched-with-industry-needs/">payments</a> could not be processed in real-time. The applications were accessible to users only during counter hours. The system was prone to data loss and was difficult to replace without causing a service disruption.<h3 class="heading-node" id="lk1xsezsg" style="text-align: left">2nd Generation Core Banking System - Product-centric Digital Interface</h3>From 1990 to 2005, CBS was in its product-centric avatar with a penchant for digital interfaces. The infrastructure developments were outsourced to external parties that focused on building a vibrant user interface for 24/7 access to banking services.Software modules and a few subroutines were introduced to improve the flexibility of the code. But, even after several optimization trials, the code remained complex. This made processing large volumes of transactions tougher. And banking data were still organized in silos.Client programs were slowly added even though the standards were still mainframes. Software that was previously accessible through branch networks now became available to customers at ATMs and payment terminals. However, during maintenance, the system still faced prolonged service disruption.<h3 class="heading-node" id="i8wq3v74b" style="text-align: left">3rd Generation Core Banking System - Customer-centric Processes</h3>2010 was the year 3rd generation CBS came into prevalence. It was a major leap from the yesteryear computerizations and product-centric interfaces. CBS became more customer-centric, and banks began building a digital layer to improve flexibility.The first programming interfaces appeared, and the core banking software was accessible on the Internet. The software architecture became less monolithic, and the system started to adapt to newer structures, such as Application Service Providers (ASPs) and Service-Oriented Architectures (SOAs).On the user experience side, newer milestones were achieved, and now version changes could be performed in a shorter span of time. Truly graphic interfaces in HTML and Windows pages were introduced.The infrastructure was completely customer focused. But things started to change when the pandemic struck in 2020. Customer needs, expectations, journeys, and touchpoints underwent a radical transformation.Modern core banking systems came around to save the day. It kickstarted digital transformation in traditional banks and helped new-age banks accelerate next-gen customer experience. API-led core banking architectures enable banks to scale reliable and strong banking ecosystems with frictionless, rapid integrations.<h3 class="heading-node" id="2ndpajyzi" style="text-align: left">4th Generation - Next-gen Core Banking via Platformization</h3>After 2020, 4th generation core banking systems came into prevalence. Platformization of CBS evolved as a crucial development, transforming the core from being only a system to becoming a complete platform.Going beyond traditional models, modern core banking platforms give banks the agility to scale and fully leverage the potential of digital revolution to satisfy stakeholders such as customers, employees, regulators, and partners.&nbsp;However, traditional banks with legacy core banking platforms still grapple with silos, code rigidity, and complexities. Even though their financial processes are automated and newer distribution channels are in place, legacy systems hinder adaptive flexibility to changing customer journeys and behavior, closed ecosystems, and vendor lock-ins. They also result in higher maintenance costs, slower GTM speed, and do not support instant releases.<a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/unlock-the-future-of-banking-with-next-gen-core-banking-solutions/">Next-generation core banking</a> platform breaks down all the barriers that legacy systems impose. They accelerate digital transformation using modern, scalable, and open architectures and lightweight codes. Leveraging APIs and advanced technologies like machine learning, core platforms deliver simplicity, cost efficiency, speed, interoperability, flexibility, security, and future readiness.<h3 class="heading-node" id="c3fg1qz8n" style="text-align: left">Benefits of Next-gen Core Banking Systems</h3><ul class="list-node" id="zkhhkcwra"><li>Simplicity in scaling up</li><li>Agility to accelerate new product launches</li><li>Incredible go-to-market speed</li><li>Onboarding and setting up happen in a few clicks</li><li>Advanced security systems for data storage and fraud prevention</li><li>Centralized access to account aggregators, mobile and third-party applications</li></ul><h2 class="heading-node" id="31" style="text-align: left">Turing Core Banking System (CBS)</h2>Turing Core Banking System (CBS) is a next-gen platform that focuses on customer experience, operational excellence, and security well within the regulatory framework. It is built on the latest micro-services architecture with low code and an <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/api-the-power-that-drives-new-age-banking-ecosystems/">API</a>-first, cloud-agnostic platform making it a modern and futuristic core banking system.<h3 class="heading-node" id="lb5majzyt" style="text-align: left">Unique Features of Turing</h3><ul class="list-node" id="mlvnqk619"><li>Incredible Speed of innovation (using <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/how-is-ai-changing-the-financial-industry-top-6-use-cases-in-fintech-and-banking/">AI and ML</a>)</li><li>Flexibility (low code capabilities)</li><li>Agility (hyper-personalized products)</li><li>Pre-integrated with Fraud Risk Management (FRM) engine</li></ul>Furthermore, the primary vantage point of 4th Generation CBS is its ability to evolve and adapt to emerging trends in the financial industry.&nbsp;<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/09/Whats-new-in-core-banking.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" width="100%" height="253"><h3 class="heading-node" id="ee2asr4hj" style="text-align: left">Open Banking and APIs&nbsp;&nbsp;</h3><a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/open-banking-a-primer-2/">Open banking</a> and the utilization of APIs are key drivers in the next generation of core banking platforms. APIs empower financial institutions to seamlessly integrate with third-party banking solutions, enhancing their service offerings and expanding their reach within the digital ecosystem. This synergy facilitates innovation and the creation of a comprehensive banking experience.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="ezrisfcla" style="text-align: left">AI and Machine Learning&nbsp;</h3>The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning revolutionizes core banking software. These technologies provide predictive analytics, bolster fraud detection, and deliver personalized customer experiences. Harnessing the insights from vast data pools, AI and machine learning empower banks to make informed decisions, streamline operations, and foster heightened customer satisfaction.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="z6cl9klc2" style="text-align: left">Enhanced Security Protocols&nbsp;</h3>As digital transactions become more common, security remains paramount. Multi-layered security protocols, including biometric authentication, two-factor authentication, and end-to-end encryption, are being woven into the fabric of core banking systems. These measures are crucial in safeguarding sensitive customer data and maintaining trust in an increasingly digital landscape.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="muek4aumh" style="text-align: left">User-Centric Design&nbsp;&nbsp;</h3>Modern core banking software centers on user-centric design principles. Intuitive interfaces, personalized dashboards, and mobile responsiveness are integrated to ensure that both bank employees and customers enjoy a seamless and intuitive banking experience.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="ivow0e1u7" style="text-align: left">Sustainable Banking&nbsp;</h3>The evolution of core banking goes beyond technological advancements and encompasses sustainability, embracing the principles of <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/climate-fintech-fintechs-leading-the-green-tech/">green fintech</a>. Core solutions align with global concerns about climate change and social responsibility by integrating features that facilitate green investments and enable carbon footprint tracking.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="i4q9dhpvd" style="text-align: left">Integrating Decentralized Finance (DeFi)</h3>Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies are reshaping the financial system. Some core banking software is now incorporating DeFi integrations, enabling banks to offer services related to crypto trading, lending, and borrowing.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="x6n64jqoo" style="text-align: left">Chatbot Interfaces&nbsp;</h3>Voice assistants and chatbots are being integrated into banking systems to provide instant customer support and assist with transactions. Customers can perform banking tasks using natural language, simplifying interactions, and reducing the need for manual assistance.&nbsp;<h2 class="heading-node" id="51" style="text-align: left">Final Word</h2>The future of banking is driven by digital innovation, connectivity, and a steadfast focus on customers. Modernizing the core is no longer a choice, it is a dire requirement for banks to grow with agility, efficiency, and customer-centricity.&nbsp;Want to know more about modernizing your core banking system?Write to us at <a class="link" href="mailto:business@m2pfintech.com">business@m2pfintech.com</a>.<a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/newsletter/">Subscribe</a>&nbsp;to our newsletter and get the latest fintech news, views, and insights, directly to your inbox.Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech">Twitter</a> for insightful fintech bytes curated for curious minds like you.

Future of Core Banking Systems

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/07/MicrosoftTeams-image-9.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" width="100%" height="253">The ecommerce market in India is growing at a dynamic pace. Estimated to reach $188 billion by 2025, the sector received $15 billion in investments from private equity and venture capital firms in 2021. At this rate, the Indian ecommerce industry will surpass the US to become the second largest online commerce market by 2034. Xpressbees, Amazon, Flipkart, and Cars 24 are some of the leading ecommerce firms that are making big waves with their investment and expansion plans.Rising smartphone penetration, evolving customer expectations, and convenient digital payments play a major role in the ecommerce boom. Online transactions in the Indian ecommerce ecosystem are estimated to grow by 96% to touch USD 120 billion by 2025. The growth of digital payment options such as credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, UPI, and BNPL added impetus to online shopping transactions.In this article, let’s decode the anatomy of payment card transactions in an ecommerce setup.Payment processing is how businesses complete credit and debit card payments. It includes authorization, funding, and settling of a transaction. For a consumer, an online card transaction is a pretty straightforward process that happens within a few seconds. All they need to do is enter the card details, and authorize the transaction with an OTP.And voila! The transaction is successful.<h2 class="heading-node" id="zpom3032i">Key Players in Ecommerce Payments</h2>While the entire transaction may only take seconds, it involves a complex network with multiple steps and players behind the scenes. Here are the players involved in carrying out a transaction.· Cardholder (customer with the payment card)· Merchant (ecommerce website)· Payment Gateway· Payment Processor· Card Network· Issuing Bank· Acquiring BankNow, we are sure you know who a cardholder and a merchant is. So, let’s take a deep look at other players and their role in card transactions.<h2 class="heading-node" id="wpqhfks61">Payment Gateway</h2>A payment gateway (PG) is a service that authorizes transactions between online businesses and their customers in a secure and convenient way. In simple terms, it acts as a secure tunnel between the merchant’s payment portal and the payment processor.<h2 class="heading-node" id="ifw2nj4oj">Role of Payment&nbsp;Gateway</h2>A payment gateway is a central cog in the transaction processing ecosystem for both online and in-store purchases. In a transaction process, PG is the front-end mechanism that collects, authenticates cardholder information, and transfers the details to the merchant’s bank in real-time. Then, the transaction is processed in the merchant’s bank. All payment gateways are PCI-DSS compliant and SSL-certified.For example, imagine you go to an online store, pile up your cart, and click on check-out for billing. When you enter your payment method and details on the website, a payment gateway helps you transfer money to the merchant.<h2 class="heading-node" id="y8i3jrc7z">Payment Processor</h2>A payment processor is a vendor service that acts as a conciliator between the financial institutions and the merchant involved. It facilitates authorization of the transactions and relays the data to clear and settle the transactions for the merchant. Some payment processing services include card acceptance, PCI compliance assistance, security solutions, and customer support.<h2 class="heading-node" id="l1mstpbl2">Role of a Payment Processor</h2>In a transaction, the payment processor acts as a tunnel between the merchant and the customer banks. It takes the information from the payment gateway and connects with the issuer through the card network to authenticate and approve the transaction. The role of the payment processor is summarized below:· Seek authorization for a transaction· Connect with the cardholder’s issuing bank· Transfer funds into a merchant account<h2 class="heading-node" id="5l1rujvkp">Card Network</h2>A card network is a card infrastructure provider that facilitates payment card transactions between the issuer and the merchant. Conventionally, the network validates, processes, and sets the terms for the card transactions. The major card networks in India are MasterCard, Visa, RuPay, Discover, and American Express.<h2 class="heading-node" id="0cnrfhxyg">Role of a Card&nbsp;Network</h2>The card network acts as a communicator between the merchant’s acquiring bank and the customer’s issuing bank. It is responsible for transmitting the transaction information to the correct issuing bank, verifying the issuer’s authentication results, and delivering responses to acquirers.<h2 class="heading-node" id="1pkqmuofu">Issuing Bank</h2>An issuing bank is a financial institution or a bank that issues and distributes (credit/debit) cards to customers. It operates as an essential intermediary between the cardholders and the card networks. Despite the common misconception, card networks do not directly issue cards to customers because of the fundamental risks involved in issuing credit to customers. Only issuing banks do.For instance, if a credit card holder does not pay off his or her debts, the issuing bank will write them off. In addition, the issuer will become responsible for recouping the costs. It is important to note that specific card networks like Discover and American Express serve as their own issuing banks.An issuing bank is typically a commercial consumer bank, commonly known as the issuers. It provides the framework to facilitate reliable and regulated transactions and the rules and standards for payments performed on its system.<h2 class="heading-node" id="2esexjmnq">Role of an Issuing&nbsp;Bank</h2>A card issuing bank is one of the key players in the card transaction and payment processes. Each time a cardholder makes a purchase/payment using a card, the transaction moves through multiple financial institutions and systems before the amount is credited to the merchant’s bank account. The issuing bank assents the transaction based on the customer’s available credit or funds in the account. Upon receiving the authentication request, the issuer’s Access Control Server (ACS) reviews the information, verifies the cardholder using their form of authentication, and responds to the merchant. It also subjects the transaction to its defined set of fraud and risk regulations.In the case of a credit card issuance, an issuing bank generally manages everything on the customer front, such as payment portals, rewards programs, payments, collections, etc. It plays a crucial role in evaluating and determining the credibility of a chargeback. For example, when a cardholder notices a counterfeit or invalid charge made to their credit or debit card, they immediately contact their issuer to file a dispute, kick-starting the chargeback process. The issuer validates the complaint and communicates the chargeback to the acquirer. The acquirer then notifies the merchant to either accept or challenge the chargeback.The issuer is responsible for authenticating the cardholders’ financial information and account data to determine their creditworthiness. Based on the assessment, it extends the line of credit to the cardholders and offers financial support for transactions/payments made with its cards. In addition, the issuing bank also renders essential services such as card activation, setting the purchase limit, suspensions, and card renewals.<h2 class="heading-node" id="p8c1kk2db">Acquiring Bank</h2>An acquiring bank is a financial institution or a bank that offers merchant accounts to businesses. These accounts enable merchants to accept direct debit/credit card payments. An acquiring bank, otherwise known as an acquirer or a merchant’s bank, is a licensed member of a card brand and is responsible for creating and maintaining the merchant’s account. It also manages the communications between card networks and businesses.Usually, the acquirer acts as a payment processor or an Independent Sales Organization (ISO) and processes credit/debit payments on behalf of a merchant. It provides merchants with unique IDs to manage card payments. In turn, the merchants pay a significant fee to the acquirer for their services in the transaction process.Transaction processes are prone to various financial frauds, that include breach of sensitive customer information. As a significant player in the payment process, an acquiring bank ensures transaction security and strictly complies with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). In the event of a fraud or data breach, the acquiring bank stands liable for the compromised transaction(s).<h2 class="heading-node" id="xswoi0hlp">Role of an Acquiring Bank</h2>As the merchant’s bank, acquirers are responsible for routing the payment card transactions to the appropriate issuing banks. Once the issuing bank disperses the amount from the cardholder’s account, the acquirer accepts the payment and credits the money to the merchant’s account. Furthermore, the acquiring bank exchanges fund with various issuers each time a consumer makes a purchase, returns for a refund, or raises a chargeback. It then issues a net balance (gross sales deducting the fees and reversals) to the merchant for transactions during the given period.When a cardholder uses a card in a purchase, the acquiring bank will either accept or decline the transaction based on the card holder’s account information available on the issuing bank and card network’s database. This process entails two steps.Step 1: Authorization — Request the issuer to validate the card details. If sufficient funds are available in the account, the transaction will be completed.Step 2: Authentication — Verify cardholders’ identity based on the card details entered during the purchase. The authentication process is typically carried out using 3D Secure (3DS).<h2 class="heading-node" id="rdmedr6bw">Payment Processing Workflow&nbsp;</h2>All the parties delved upon above are integral players in the card transaction ecosystem. Transactions would not be viable without any one of them.Curious to know how payment card transaction flow works?Let’s take the example of a credit card payment for instance.Here you go!<ol class="list-node" id="nuiohlbzx"><li>The customer initiates a purchase. The purchase can be made in person, online, or over the phone.</li><li>The merchant evaluates the credit card details entered during the purchase and routes the information to the payment gateway.</li><li>The payment gateway routes information to the payment processor.</li><li>The payment processor communicates the authorization request to the appropriate card network.</li><li>The credit card network routes the request to the cardholder’s issuer.</li><li>The issuer validates the received information and approves/declines the transaction.</li><li>The card network sends the issuer’s response to the acquiring bank.</li><li>The acquiring bank redirects the authorization response to the merchant.</li><li>Based on the response, the merchant accepts or declines the transaction. It deposits all the authorized transactions with the acquiring bank.</li><li>The acquirer credits the merchant’s account and submits the transactions to the credit card network for payment.</li><li>The credit card network pays the acquirer and charges the issuing bank.</li><li>The issuer posts the transaction to the cardholder’s account.</li><li>The cardholder receives the monthly statement and makes payment.</li></ol><img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/07/Banner-for-Issuing-and-Acquiring-Banks-blog_2.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" id="lpb5e7uta" width="100%" height="253">Payment processing is an indispensable part of any business, both online and offline. In the stride toward a digital economy, ecommerce payment processing is a modish necessity.Intrigued? To know more about payment processing, write to us at <a class="link markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" href="mailto:business@m2pfintech.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">business@m2pfintech.com</a>.<a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/newsletter/">Subscribe</a>&nbsp;to our newsletter and get the latest fintech news, views, and insights, directly to your inbox.Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for insightful fintech tales curated for curious minds like you.

Anatomy of Payment Card Transactions in Ecommerce

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/07/July-Blog-Banner-V3_1_Main-Banner.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" width="100%" height="253">Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed the physics of financial services. It has altered centers of gravity, isolated vulnerable bonds, and changed traits that are imperative to building a successful business. The ability to leverage data to drive process and talent optimization, product performance, and personalized interactions is now considered critical to driving value and efficiency.By combining technology and robust data, AI delivers insight-driven decisions to resolve challenges. Financial services companies are becoming future-ready by harnessing the power of AI and Machine Learning (ML) to enhance operational efficiency, mitigate risk exposure, and customize product development, distribution, and customer experience.<blockquote class="block-node" id="ll5niu0xi">According to PWC reports, AI will boost global GDP up to $15.7 trillion by 2030 and 45% of total economic gains will arise from AI-driven product enhancements that stimulate consumer demand.</blockquote><h2 class="heading-node" id="fec6" style="text-align: justify">Growth Potential of AI in Finance</h2>Artificial Intelligence in the global financial technology market is expected to grow at <a class="link" href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ai-in-fintech-global-market-to-reach-24-17-billion-by-2026--301615420.html">27.6% CAGR and reach $24.17 billion in 2026</a>. The growth projection is attributed to its ability to increase security and efficiency, personalize customer experience, automate services, and unlock several other growth opportunities.91% of financial services companies reported driving critical business outcomes by leveraging AI investments (Source: <a class="link" href="https://www.nvidia.com/content/dam/en-zz/Solutions/industries/finance/ai-financial-services-report-2022/fsi-survey-report-2022-web-1.pdf">Nvidia Report</a>). Here are the benefits they realized.<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/07/July-Blog-Banner-V3_1_Benefits-of-AI-Chart.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" width="100%" height="253">AI-led data analysis and reporting surpass human intelligence to cut costs, accelerate revenue, and optimize service quality and product efficiency. It creates operational efficiency, predicts customer preference, detects fraud, and plans market expansions. Although some industry voices expect AI to replace 9% of all jobs by 2030, fintech companies are optimistic that AI will expand their workforce by 19%.<h2 class="heading-node" id="21fd" style="text-align: justify">How AI Transforms Banking &amp; Fintech</h2>Millennial and Gen Z customers prefer newer and faster technology over traditional systems. AI-based products and services enable FIs to meet the demands of today’s digital-age customers. It helps them enhance user experience through customized products and services.Listed below are sample AI-enabled services that global banks use to enhance customer experience.· Smile-to-pay facial scanning to initiate transaction· Micro-expression analysis with virtual loan officers· Conversational bots for basic servicing requests· Humanoid robots in branches to serve customers· <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/5-reasons-why-banks-need-behavioral-biometrics/">Biometrics </a>to authenticate and authorize· Machine vision and natural language processing to scan and process documents· Machine learning to identify risk patterns and cybersecurity incidents· Real-time transaction analysis for risk monitoringAI technologies augment the overall customer experience by offering personalized recommendations, insights, and suggestions. In short, AI powers banks, insurers, asset managers, and fintechs to outperform peers, boost customer lifetime value, and increase market share.<h2 class="heading-node" id="fb07" style="text-align: justify">Top 6 Use Cases of AI in Fintech and Banking</h2>Over 75% of businesses use high-performance computing (HPC), machine learning, and deep learning for AI applications. While retail banking and capital markets benefit from deep learning, fintech firms rely on machine learning for the use cases below.<ol class="list-node" id="mglp0g4e6"><li>Transaction Fraud Detection</li><li>Conversational Chatbots</li><li>Robo-Advisors — Portfolio Optimization</li><li>Regulatory Intelligence</li><li>Credit Decisioning</li><li>Algorithmic Trading</li></ol>Transaction fraud detectionFinancial firms leverage AI and ML to identify, investigate, and mitigate transaction fraud, <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/how-to-combat-money-laundering-2/">money laundering</a>, and <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/crack-the-kyc-jigsaw-ease-onboarding-compliance/">KYC</a> discrepancies efficiently. Analyzing large datasets and user behavior, AI can decode risk factors and help reduce chargebacks, fake accounts, spam, account takeovers, and any other <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/prevent-cnp-frauds-with-pci-3ds/">CNP</a> frauds in real-time. The fraud detection use case is critical in banking, card transactions, insurance, and lending platforms, to name a few.Conversational chatbotsChatbots and virtual agents fall under the conversational AI use case. They are quite different from conventional chatbots. By leveraging Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning (ML) processes, they can understand customer intent, troubleshoot issues, and make small talk based on context. In financial companies, they can be used to collect customer information, deliver support, resolve queries, and redirect escalations to customer service representatives. These chatbots can be used across multiple channels and can deliver support via audio, video, and text.Robo-advisors — portfolio optimizationBuilding a strong financial portfolio is critical to maximizing returns on investments. Optimizing the portfolio helps balance the risk-to-reward ratio. AI-enabled Robo-advisors use predictive analysis to foresee future returns by analyzing the trends in the financial market. Investment companies can use this feature to make data-driven decisions that increase sales, optimize resource utilization, and improve operational capabilities. Robo-advisors are less priced options than conventional financial advisors. Even novices can drive value from investments with the help of Robo-advisors.Regulatory intelligenceThe banking and fintech sector must constantly update operations to stay compliant with governments and regulators. Using AI-led automation, compliance obligations are simplified, streamlined, and automated. The personalized, role-based dashboards provide regulatory intelligence for data-driven decisions at a lesser cost and time. Finance companies can stay up to date on compliance status and keep abreast with the latest regulations.Credit decisioning engineAI-based credit scoring can help expedite the assessment of creditworthiness and lending decisions. AI-led credit scoring models analyze real-time indicators such as current income, employment opportunities, and potential ability to earn, in addition to credit history, transaction patterns, work experience, and online behavior. This enables a sensitized and customized credit score assessment and inclusive lending decisions.Algorithmic tradingTrading is all about making profitable transaction decisions. AI-driven algorithmic trading uses pre-trade analytics and trading strategies to make lucrative transactions and groom efficient traders. Assimilating its own data using machine learning methods, AI-based algorithmic trading delivers real-time forecasts based on the analysis of price change patterns, currency values, global indices, raw materials, and other macro/micro indicators. It is super accurate in detecting market anomalies and helps reduce operational and trading risks.Now, these are not all. Apart from the use cases discussed above, AI can also help automate and expedite <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/steps-in-credit-underwriting-why-using-an-alternative-source-of-data-and-behavior-metrics-will-be-of-help/">underwriting</a>, customer acquisition, and marketing optimization.To know more about the use of AI in banking and fintech, write to us at&nbsp;<a class="link au nr" href="mailto:business@m2pfintech.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow">business@m2pfintech.com</a><a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/newsletter/">Subscribe</a>&nbsp;to our newsletter and get the latest fintech news, views, and insights, directly to your inbox.Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for insightful fintech tales curated for curious minds like you.

How is AI Changing the Financial Industry? Top 6 Use Cases in Fintech and Banking

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/07/MicrosoftTeams-image-3.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" width="100%" height="447"><a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/neo-banking-101-all-you-need-to-know/">Neobanks</a> have led to tectonic shifts in every corner of the financial services market. The market embraces a new player almost every day with a prime intention to simplify financial services to meet the ever-evolving expectations of the digital-age customers.According to recent reports, some of the most prominent players in the market see over 140% year-on-year growth in their customer base. However, growth does not necessarily translate into profits. Even after more than five years in business, a large number of neobanks are operating at a loss.Globally, the neobank market continues to grow swiftly. But the real question is, how many of these banks will succeed and be sustainable?We have our very own Devang Mehta, Vice President of Business Development spill the beans on what makes a neobank successful. Devang delves into the pros and cons of the current business model and offers insightful strategies on how to refine vision and value propositions that will help build a neobank that is both profitable and sustainable.Being an avid neobanker and fintech enthusiast himself, he is certain that neobanks are here to stay and have a long way to go. He also shares his vision of a neobank that works like your relationship manager on the phone.Here are key nuggets from Devang’s wisdom.<h2 class="heading-node" id="852f" style="text-align: justify">What are the wins?</h2>First off, neobanks enable online transactions round-the-clock, 365-days. They offer easy, convenient, and on-the-go services. Users can transfer funds instantly at any time, from anywhere, without worrying about bank working hours/days. The business model is usually transparent and delivers real-time notifications detailing the reasons for the charges and penalties incurred by the customer.They have low operational costs due to the absence of physical branches, minimal credit risks, and fewer regulations. Thereby, customers benefit from lower prices and higher interest rates. With its lean business models and superior technologies, neobanks greatly emphasize customer orientation by offering personalized services and products.<h2 class="heading-node" id="eae8" style="text-align: justify">Where do neobanks fall short?</h2>Generally, neobanks operate on an exceptionally low margin as they tend to offer competitive low-cost pricing, higher deposit rates, and incentives to increase their customer base. With no revenue-generating products such as credit cards and loans, neobanks fail to make a profitable and sustainable enterprise. Having no solid revenue model is one of the biggest downsides of a neobank business.Building trust with the customers of the legacy bank is another key challenge for neobanks. The customers feel traditional banks are safe and reliable compared to the new-age banking technology. Although neobanks put forth quick, accessible, and round-the-clock services, a significant share of customers uses neobanks as their secondary account.Aside from the above, lack of standard regulatory framework, superlative customer expectations, and cost involved in the technology and development are some of the challenges that neobanks face.<h2 class="heading-node" id="2ba2" style="text-align: justify">Quest for profitable and sustainable neobanking - The “why” and “what”</h2>Devang believes the quest for a profitable and sustainable neobank starts with two questions:<ol class="list-node" id="gbcty8qf5"><li>Why do you want to create a neobank?</li><li>What do you want the neobank to be known for?</li></ol>Today’s consumers are presented with a gamut of financial services to choose from. Potential customers are keen to know what problems you are solving for them. A compelling vision for your neobank will make the right customers see how your “why” aligns with their pain points, goals, and objectives. “What” your neobank is will help you tap into the right customer segment to fulfill your purpose.For example, assume you are packing your bags and moving to another continent for a successful educational or career experience. It is one thing to assimilate the new environment but being tugged into a totally unfamiliar ecosystem for essential services and financial assistance like banking or debit card usage can knock you sideways.Imagine, you receive a sim card, a bank account, a checkbook, a debit card, and perhaps even insurance as your onboarding kit. Wouldn’t that be the ultimate welcome kit?That’s exactly how Devang envisages a neobank that caters to students, blue-collar job holders, and working professionals. Drawn from his experience as an expatriate, he aspires to build a neobank that offers quick and seamless financial services to immigrants arriving in a new country.Understanding your “why” and “what” will form the fundamental principle of your neobank’s vision. Once you have a clear conception of your vision, you must support it with comprehensive planning based on:<ul class="list-node" id="fmgvwr81y"><li>A defined target customer segment</li><li>Regulatory compliance in the respective market</li><li>Data protection/localization</li><li>Application with customer-friendly UI/UX</li></ul>Devang highlights that beta testing is paramount and the key to boosting the performance of a neobank application. Unfortunately, most players fail to include beta testing in their development life cycle in a rush to go to the market soon.Though neobanking is the perfect example of how convenient banking can be for users, it is still in its nascent stage. Whether you are an incumbent or a new player, agility and responsiveness to market trends are critical to surviving in an increasingly crowded digital financial services ecosystem. Therefore, it’s extremely imperative to understand, analyze, and constantly refine your vision to carve out your place in the market. The key is to remember what you want to achieve and why.Check out our blog on&nbsp;<a class="link au lg" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/7-steps-to-start-a-neo-bank-from-scratch/" rel="noopener">how to start a neobank</a>&nbsp;for step-by-step guidance.Curious to know how you can create a powerful vision and value proposition for your neobank? Write to us at <a class="link au mv" href="mailto:business@m2pfintech.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow">business@m2pfintech.com</a>.<a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/newsletter/">Subscribe</a>&nbsp;to our newsletter and get the latest fintech news, views, and insights, directly to your inbox. Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for insightful fintech tales curated for curious minds like you.

Strategy to Reorient Neobanking for Sustained Profitability

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/06/Blog-Banner_Wearable-in-Banking-payment.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" width="100%" height="383">The global wearable market size is projected to reach USD 931.31 Billion by the end of 2030, and wearables are here to stay.Not just in healthcare, retail, and telecom, but also in banking and payments. Changing customer priorities and fintech advancements accelerated the market for wearables in the pandemic era. With millennials, gen X, and gen Z consumers wanting secure, convenient, instantaneous transactions, contactless wearables are the way to go.Projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.5%, the future of wearables is likely to evolve further as consumers and financial institutions transition into the cashless, digital universe. Some wearable payment devices have the potential to become a “one-stop-shop” for several services.Disney’s Magic Band for instance is a wearable that Disney Land provides its visitors. Designed in the form of a funky wristband, the magic band functions as an access key, a payment device, and a personalized tracker. And it is also compatible with diverse smartphones and technologies.<h2 class="heading-node" id="7ff3" style="text-align: justify">What are wearable payment devices?</h2>Wearable payment devices are apparel, gadgets, and accessories we use to make contactless payments. The most common types are smartwatches, belts, jackets, fitness trackers, and even rings. They use services like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay to connect the device with the consumer’s bank account.<h2 class="heading-node" id="0774" style="text-align: justify">Top wearable payment devices in the market</h2><h4 class="heading-node" id="peflro9so" style="text-align: justify">Apple Watch</h4>The Apple Watch is one of the most popular smartwatches on the market, and it features NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. This technology allows the watch to communicate with other NFC-enabled devices, such as smartphones, to exchange data, make mobile payments, and do other contactless transactions.<h4 class="heading-node" id="zefu7xngv" style="text-align: justify">Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic</h4>Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic offers contactless payment services through Samsung Wallet. This smartwatch enables users to make contactless payments at stores that accept NFC-enabled transactions.<h4 class="heading-node" id="7zin33oqj" style="text-align: justify">7 Ring</h4><a class="link" href="https://seven.ooo/">7 Ring</a> is India's most advanced form of making contactless payments, utilizing Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology. Co-certified by EMV, 7 Ring has the same security standards as the payment instruments used worldwide by leading banking networks.7 Ring uses <a class="link" href="https://www.livquik.com/">LivQuik</a>&nbsp;(powered by M2P)&nbsp;as their wallet provider, which works seamlessly with a tap at the PoS terminal, enabling convenient payments without the need for a phone or Bluetooth connection.<h4 class="heading-node" id="vknjub99i" style="text-align: justify">Ringly</h4>Ringly offers rings and bracelets that connects to your phone via Bluetooth. Partnering with MasterCard, they allow you to make contactless payments apart from tracking your activities. They allow you to make contactless payments with just a wave of your hand.Now we’ve seen only a sample of wearable devices. Belts, jackets, and even shoes are used as wearable payment devices today.<h2 class="heading-node" id="f558" style="text-align: justify">How do wearable payment devices work?</h2>To use a wearable payment device, say a smartwatch, the user needs to link the device to a credit card or bank account. Once the device is linked, the user can make payments by simply tapping the device against a payment terminal. The payment is then processed through the credit card or bank account that is linked to the device.<h2 class="heading-node" id="cb0d" style="text-align: justify">Wearable payment technologies</h2>Wearable payment systems are quite commonly used in e-banking and payment platforms. They operate on technologies such as HCE, Barcode, Contactless Point of Sale, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), and Near-field Communication (NFC) to enable payments and cash transfers.<h4 class="heading-node" id="8264" style="text-align: justify">Host Card Emulation (HCE)</h4>Host Card Emulation (HCE) enables payments that are activated by NFC technology. ​​It allows a device to emulate the functionality of a smart card to provide contactless payment capabilities using the ISO/IEC 7816–4 APDU command set. It communicates with a reader and stores data in the same way that a smart card would. A key benefit of using HCE is that it does not require a physical smart card or a built-in NFC reader. And it can be used for loyalty programs and access control too.<h4 class="heading-node" id="387a" style="text-align: justify">Barcodes</h4>Some wearables are encoded with scan-and-go application barcode scanners for payments. It allows the customer to check out quickly without conventional processes. Barcode technology offers several advantages in wearable devices. They are secure, can be read quickly and easily, and can store a large amount of data. Newer barcode standards, such as QR codes can be deeply encrypted to prevent unauthorized access.<h4 class="heading-node" id="aae0" style="text-align: justify">Contactless Point of Sale (CPOS)</h4>The contactless point of sale (CPOS) is a new technology that uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to communicate with the POS terminal and make payments. The CPOS system is fast, convenient, and secure. You just hold your card near the POS terminal, and the payment will be processed automatically. It uses the latest encryption technology to protect personal information.<h4 class="heading-node" id="e897" style="text-align: justify">Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)</h4>RFID wearables such as rings, wristbands, and dongles comprise an embedded chip with an RFID tag. The tag is a unique identifier that an RFID reader can read. The reader can track the tag’s location or access wearer information. RFID-enabled wearables offer many advantages over traditional ID payment devices. They are more difficult to lose or misplace and can be read from a distance, making them ideal for tracking assets or people.<h4 class="heading-node" id="4a4c" style="text-align: justify">Near-field Communication (NFC)</h4>NFC ​​ is a short-range wireless technology that enables two devices to communicate when they are near each other, typically no more than a few centimeters. It is a convenient way to share small amounts of data between devices and works great in wearable payment devices, such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, and clothing.<h2 class="heading-node" id="4re67ozcs" style="text-align: justify">Wearables, IoT, and Fintech</h2>As with many things to do with digital transformation, the pandemic pushed businesses to explore and invest in Point-of-Sale (POS) technology, making wearables more than just useful tools. Readily available and user-friendly in usage and navigation, payment apps such as Google Pay and Apple Wallets, have made it easy for all demographics to transition smoothly into wearable technology.In the current mobile climate, using the Internet of Things (IoT) in banking is the way to attract new customers and retain existing ones. Wearable payment devices and IoT helps the financial sector to gain deep customer insight and improve user experience. Banks implementing IoT have seen benefits in cost savings, higher efficiency in business processes, and better customer experience. They have also been able to build new revenue models.There is no doubt that fintech needs wearables, as it opens up new opportunities to transform their businesses and remain strong contenders in the market. We see the increasing use of wearables and in a way, they may even replace mobile phones in the future.<h2 class="heading-node" id="51ef" style="text-align: justify">How wearables benefit banks and fintechs</h2><h4 class="heading-node" id="2062" style="text-align: justify">Access to data</h4>Wearables provide banks access to voluminous data as they are worn by customers most of the time. Customer intelligence gained can be used to enhance experiences and personalize products and services. Wearables are critical to data extraction and analytics.<h4 class="heading-node" id="f3b5" style="text-align: justify">Personalization of customer service</h4>Financial institutions and fintechs today recognize the need to be customer centric. And data extracted from wearables have proven to personalize and optimize customer interactions. Wearables can help predict customer behavior through real-time data and target them with recommendations and personalized offers.<h4 class="heading-node" id="135f" style="text-align: justify">Omnichannel user experience</h4>A combination of IoT and wearables can make all the difference in omnichannel customer experience. Fintech and banks can gain a competitive edge with wearables, for example, using smartwatches to make ATM withdrawals and biometric-enabled transactions.<h4 class="heading-node" id="072a" style="text-align: justify">Risk assessment</h4>Banks and fintechs need to mitigate risk by assessing potential factors. Analyzing customer data extracted from wearables can help enhance risk management decisions on lending, or insurance, among many others.<h2 class="heading-node" id="661d" style="text-align: justify">Banking Wearables in India</h2>India is fast catching up in the wearables market, especially after RBI increased the limit for contactless transactions to Rs. 5000. Both SBI and Axis Bank have launched their wearables Titan Pay and Wear n’ Pay, respectively.<h4 class="heading-node" id="92aa" style="text-align: justify">Titan Pay</h4>Titan Pay is a wearable collaboration between Titan and SBI that offers watches to enable contactless payments. It comprises a mobile app that allows users to send and receive money instantly. Using the watch and the app, users can transact in multiple currencies, track spending, and even set up a budget.<h4 class="heading-node" id="8fae" style="text-align: justify">Wear n’ Pay</h4>Wear n’ Pay devices include accessories like key chains and watch loops from AXIS Bank. It allows you to pay for purchases by just swiping your wrist. The system uses a special wristband that you can wear while you shop. You simply swipe your wristband across the payment terminal to pay for your purchase.<h4 class="heading-node" id="94vghp82w" style="text-align: justify">Indus PayWear</h4>By enabling consumers to easily tokenize their IndusInd Bank credit or debit card onto a chip-enabled wearable device, Indus PayWear is poised to completely change the payment experience. This will do away with the requirement for a physical card or even a payment app for purchases and enable quick and safe tap-and-pay transactions at any contactless Point-of-Sale (PoS) terminal worldwide.<h2 class="heading-node" id="9h5ne3vh6" style="text-align: justify">Real-time adoption of Wearables</h2>During the 2024 IPL, the <a class="link" href="https://www.npci.org.in/PDF/npci/press-releases/2024/NPCI-Press-Release-RuPay-Launches-Exclusive-On-The-Go-Contactless-Payment-Collectible-for-2024-TATA-IPL-Playoffs-and-Final.pdf">NPCI launched an NFC-enabled wristband</a> for payments and access to the playoffs and finals. As a part of the “RuPay On-the-Go” series, the wristband provides seamless access management during events and functions as a versatile contactless payment device post-event.This first-of-its-kind initiative links access management for live events and payments into one exclusive collectible for select attendees of the playoffs and finals.<h2 class="heading-node" id="6f11" style="text-align: justify">Conclusion</h2>The integration of wearable &amp; contactless payments is an emerging trend in the modern payment system. While <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/the-rise-of-digital-payments/" target="">digital payment</a> trends keep on changing, the need to provide the best consumer experience across the platform is always constant for Financial Institutions and Payment Service providers.At M2P, we provide the best customizable payment experiences for businesses. Using our end-to-end API stack, we ensure that modern innovations and technology are seamlessly integrated into your ecosystem. Our APIs enable channel management and limit management across PoS, contactless payments, ecommerce, and withdrawals on your payments platform.Want to know more about integrating contactless payments and other customizable features on your payments platform?Write to us at&nbsp;<a class="link au lo" href="mailto:business@m2pfintech.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow">business@m2pfintech.com</a>.<a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/newsletter/">Subscribe</a>&nbsp;to our newsletter and get the latest fintech news, views, and insights, directly to your inbox.Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for insightful fintech tales curated for curious minds like you.

Tag: "Digital Banking (35)"

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