10 min read

Digital banking in 2024: 12 trends to get yourself a leg up

Banking

FinTech

Trends

Today’s customers are becoming more tech-savvy and expect their banking experience to be as smooth and convenient as all the other digital services they use. With this shift, banks need to step up their game and deliver accessible experiences to keep up with the pace.

Going digital isn’t just about better customer satisfaction and retention. It is also about cutting down costs, speeding up transactions, and making smarter data-driven decisions.

61%

consumers indicate their likelihood of switching to a digital-only bank

63%

bank account holders processed banking matters on their smartphone or tablet in 1Q 2024

217 million

projected number of digital banking customers in the U.S. by 2025

US $53.5 billion

projected volume of the global market for digital banking by 2030

In this article, we’ll dive into the new digital trends in banking. So, stick around — we’ve got all the insights you’ll want to bring up with your CIO at your next weekly meeting!

The strides of digital banking evolution

The transition from traditional to digital banking was inevitable — people wanted more convenience, easy access, 24/7 service, and fewer trips to the bank. This shift actually kicked off way back in the 1960s when banks started using mainframe computers for automation, and Bank of America rolled out the first ATMs. Then, in the 1980s, Citibank took things up a notch by launching the first online banking system.

The drive for better access in the ’90s and 2000s brought us online banking, thanks to trailblazers like Stanford Federal Credit Union and Wells Fargo. Then, in the late 2000s and early 2010s, mobile banking became a thing with the rise of smartphone apps. In the 2020s, techs such as AI, blockchain, and ML further expanded digital banking. European FinTech services and platforms have garnered substantial attention due to their pioneering approaches and the adoption of digital banking market trends.

Notable examples include:

This FinTech company offers a full range of financial services covered — from currency exchange and budgeting tools to cryptocurrency trading, all in one place.

A mobile-first bank that gives you a fully digital experience, complete with real-time notifications, instant transfers, and no-fee transactions.

A digital, mobile-only bank that offers current accounts, budgeting tools, and instant spending alerts to help you stay on top of your finances with ease.

A mobile-focused challenger bank that offers easy money transfers to friends, real-time spending insights, and BaaS platform.

A digital bank offering personal and business accounts with features like instant payments, automated savings, and handy budgeting tools.

A mobile banking platform focused on personal and business accounts, with features like international money transfers and multi-currency accounts.

An all-digital bank that provides savings accounts, mortgages, and business loans, all through its mobile app.

Driving force behind digital banking trends: Millennials and Gen Z

Millennials and Gen Z are leading the charge in shaking up the banking world. According to the latest BAI Banking Outlook survey, about 30% of Gen Z and Millennial customers now see a direct or alternative bank — often backed by FinTech — as their main bank.

They want mobile apps packed with features that let them do everything from checking balances and transferring money to depositing checks with just one click on their mobile phone, which is why platforms like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, and PayPal have taken off — they offer the convenience these customers crave.

Let’s team up to integrate the latest tech into your systems and keep you ahead in the FinTech game.

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New trends in digital banking: 2024 and beyond

New digital banking trends, such as the integration of AI, improved cybersecurity measures, and the advent of Neobanks, among others, have already changed the game and are going to be key in shaping the future of digital banking after 2024.

Generative AI

Generative AI’s capacity to analyze extensive datasets, detect intricate patterns, and deliver valuable insights can revolutionize decision-making processes. In 2024, its applications in digital banking are wide-ranging and impactful, encompassing algorithmic trading, credit risk assessment, and the development of customer service chatbots.

The integration of AI-driven automation has significantly streamlined banking operations and lowered operational costs by implementing more efficient and dependable computer systems to perform manual tasks. According to McKinsey’s banking report, the use of generative AI could potentially improve productivity in the banking industry by around 5% and reduce global spending by up to US$300 billion.

Examples of generative AI applications in banking

Barclays

Fraud detection utilizing AI — the bank uses an AI-powered tool to proactively prevent fraud by predicting potential instances through real-time monitoring of payment transactions with merchants.

Banco Santander

AI in risk management — Santander’s Corporate and Investment Banking division developed Kairos. This AI helps the bank make smarter investment and lending decisions.

Bank of America

AI in research analysis — the Glass platform helps sales and trading pros spot and predict market trends. It pulls together data from various asset classes, using the bank’s internal models and ML.

Discover Financial Services

AI for credit underwriting — by partnering with an AI software provider, the bank is improving its credit approval process and lowering the likelihood of loan defaults.

Wells Fargo

AI-powered virtual assistant — the bank uses Dialogflow, Google’s conversational AI, for its virtual assistant, Fargo. It also utilizes an LLM to help clarify client regulatory information requirements.

Mizuho

Generative AI for system maintenance — the bank partners with Fujitsu to improve system maintenance and development with the use of gen AI to bringin in smart solutions to make everything run smoother.

Morgan Stanley

AI for information retrieval — OpenAI’s GPT-4 is used to assist employees in finding relevant in-house intellectual information, including company insights, asset classes, and capital markets data.

JP Morgan

AI as a financial advisor — the bank has applied to trademark IndexGPT, a tool designed to function as a financial investment advisor. It aims to transform how clients manage and grow their portfolios in the future.

Future outlook

Banks are expected to spend the next two to five years testing generative AI models and making significant investments in tech. In the short term, they will likely focus on incremental advancements before moving on to more ambitious projects.

Open banking

One of the digital banking trends 2024 is open banking, a financial services model that grants third-party app developers’ access to financial data from banking systems through APIs. These APIs enable the secure exchange of financial information between banks and authorized third-party software providers. By connecting data, open banking offers more choices for customers and lets providers create tailored products.

For example, open banking brings everything under one roof with account aggregation tools like Plaid, Tink, and Nordic API Gateway, letting customers see all their accounts — from payments to credit cards and investments — in one spot. Another great example is personal finance management (PFM) apps like Spiir, Yolt, and Mint, which give users a clear picture of their finances and help them keep their spending in check.

Future outlook

The adoption of Payments Services Directive (PSD)2 in Europe was a game-changer for the financial sector and made it easier for banks and payment providers to share data with third parties. Seeing how things were shaking up in Europe, the US decided to step up its efforts in digital banking services to keep up with the trend.

With PSD3 set to roll out in 2026, open banking is going to keep shaking things up in the financial world. While PSD3 and the new Payment Service Regulation (PSR) might not be as revolutionary as PSD2, they’re definitely going to help standardize how open banking works across the board, making things smoother for everyone involved.

Open finance

Such digital banking trends as open finance and open banking are interconnected. Open banking allows consumers to share data from their bank account with permission, but open finance goes a step further. It includes a broader range of data, like loans, investments, and pensions. Plus, it integrates data more extensively with non-financial sectors like healthcare and government.

In open finance, security gets a big boost from techs like blockchain, AI, and ML. Blockchain helps with things like smart contracts and decentralized finance (DeFi) apps. AI and ML crunch loads of data to give personalized advice, spot fraud, and streamline tasks like credit scoring and risk assessment. This helps to make processes more efficient and cut down on costs.

Future outlook

People love a seamless service where they don’t have to keep entering their info over and over. They also want more control over their data, especially with growing worries about online privacy. That’s why customers and service providers will increasingly lean towards open finance and peer-to-peer options, skipping the intermediaries with DeFi. Connecting everything smoothly is tough, but such platform solutions show promise. Even with strict regulations, these platforms will help bridge the gap between traditional and decentralized finance.

Embedded finance

Open banking and open finance paved the way for embedded finance. While open banking kicked off innovations, embedded finance takes it a step further by putting those innovations directly in the hands of consumers.

Embedded finance is all about smoothly blending digital banking and other financial services into non-financial companies’ apps and platforms using APIs. It allows both financial and non-financial companies to offer services like banking, payments, lending, and insurance directly within their own platforms. This model is particularly prevalent among eCommerce companies and is increasingly adopted by large tech firms.

By integrating financial products and services, these companies can make money through transaction fees, offer premium services, and cross-sell related products, boosting customer loyalty and engagement.

Embedded payments

Embedded payments let customers pay directly on the platform or in the app with tools like PayPal, Stripe, or Shop Pay, making the process a breeze.

Embedded lending

Embedded lending, or BNPL, allows customers to pay for purchases in interest-free installments. You’ve probably heard of options like Affirm, Afterpay, or Klarna.

Embedded insurance

Embedded insurance bundles insurance services with product or service purchases. Tesla, for instance, offers auto insurance options during online purchases.

Embedded investments

Platforms can integrate stock market investing into their services through embedded investments. Robinhood and Cash App are great examples of this.

Future outlook

Embedded finance is projected to reach a market value of US$7.2 trillion by 2030, and an overwhelming 92% of businesses plan to implement it within the next five years.

Eugene Krasicki, founder and CEO of Neobank Keytom, believes financial services are about to become more accessible for everyone, breaking down barriers like banking deserts and financial exclusion. With further development of AI, ML, and smart contracts, embedded finance will keep evolving, making managing money even more intuitive and a natural part of daily life.

Enhanced cybersecurity measures

As more people use financial services online, digital finance products are becoming prime targets for cyberattacks. With financial institutions in the crosshairs, investments in security are ramping up. The IT security market is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 22.4%, reaching $195.5 billion by 2029.

New digital banking trends have prompted regulatory bodies worldwide, like the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) in the U.S. and the European Banking Authority (EBA) in Europe, to create guidelines for financial institutions. These rules cover how to protect customer information, manage risks, and respond to cyber incidents.

Top cybersecurity threats in banking

Advanced persistent thread

Supply chain attacks

Phishing

Social engineering attacts

Unencrypted data

Ransomware attacks

Top trends in digital banking to enhance cybersecurity

Passwordless authentication

Passwords can be a weak spot — they can be stolen, guessed, or hacked. Getting rid of passwords removes this vulnerability and makes it harder for hackers to break into accounts.

AI for fraud management

AI examines customer behavior and can quickly detect anything unusual. Spotting these unusual patterns helps prevent fraud, mitigate risks, and protect customer data from unauthorized access.

Behavioral authentication

This method looks at typing style, mouse movements, and how users navigate apps or websites to confirm their identity. Even with the right login, access is tough if the behavior doesn’t match.

Biometrics

Biometrics fortify security by using unique physical or behavioral characteristics, like fingerprints, facial features, or voice patterns, which are much harder to fake or steal than passwords.

Future outlook

The cybersecurity game in digital banking is at a turning point, especially with tech like blockchain shaking things up. Blockchain, with its strong security features, is a big deal — it offers banks a decentralized system that boosts transparency, keeps data safe, and cuts down on fraud. More and more banks are jumping on board with blockchain to secure transactions and protect against tampering, marking a big step forward in keeping our money safe.

Digital-only banks (Neobanks)

Neobanks are digital-only financial institutions that work entirely online, with no physical branches. They usually don’t have their own banking licenses but team up with traditional banks to offer their services. Some popular Neobanks are Chime, Current, Aspiration, and Varo in the U.S., and Monzo, Revolut, Starling Bank, and Monese globally.

People often mix up such trends in digital banking as “Neobank” and “digital bank,” but they aren’t quite the same. Neobanks are new, online-only banks built from the ground up, while digital banks can be either traditional banks going online or new ones that are fully digital. Neobanks usually operate independently and offer a limited range of services to specific groups of customers, while digital banks provide a wider range of services like traditional banks. Neobanks don’t have physical branches, but digital banks might still have some.

Future outlook

According to a report by Mordor Intelligence, the global Neobanks market is expected to reach US$333.4 billion by 2026, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 50.6%.

Here are several key trends shaping the future of neobanking:

Regulatory challenges and partnerships

As Neobanks keep disrupting traditional banking, we’ll see closer cooperation between Neobanks and regulators as they develop new laws and guidelines to prevent systems from being exploited for harmful purposes.

Expansion into niche markets and verticals

Neobanks will continue to expand into niche markets and offer financial solutions to underserved customer segments, like small businesses, freelancers, and people with limited credit history, thus promoting financial inclusion.

Collaboration with traditional banks

Closer collaboration between Neobanks and traditional banks will be a win-win because Neobanks bring digital agility and innovative products, while traditional banks offer strong infrastructure and regulatory expertise.

Sustainable and ethical banking

With new generations caring more about ethics and sustainability, banks are changing to keep up. They’re recognizing the need to fight climate change and bring sustainable practices into their operations. By focusing on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, they’re helping push for a low-carbon economy and give customers options to reduce their carbon footprint, like investing in carbon credits for reforestation, renewable energy, and cutting waste.

Many environmental organizations offer certification programs to help banks and businesses show their commitment to the planet. For example, Bank Green gives a “fossil-free” certification to banks that avoid funding fossil fuel projects and promise to keep it that way. Another option is joining 1% for the Planet, where businesses pledge to donate 1% of their sales to environmental nonprofits. Banks also aim for B Corporation certification to boost their social responsibility.

Future outlook

The future of sustainable banking is all about embracing new regulations and digital advancements. Open banking is leading the way here, rolling out digital services that cut down carbon footprints and encourage greener financial practices. Apps like Greenly and Svalna are using open banking data to help customers see their environmental impact, making it easier for them to make more sustainable choices.

Environmentally-friendly cryptocurrencies are also set to play a big role in the future of banking. As we move away from traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which rely on energy-guzzling Proof of Work (PoW) systems, the focus is shifting to more sustainable options that use Proof of Stake (PoS) to cut down on energy use. Plus, green cryptocurrencies like Green Bitcoin, eTukTuk, and Bitcoin Minetrix are pushing the industry even further towards sustainability by focusing on clean energy and reducing energy consumption.

Robo-advising

A robo-advisor, also known as a “robo,” is a digital brokerage account that automates the investment process. It builds portfolios with low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and offers flexibility in account types, including taxable brokerage accounts and tax-advantaged individual retirement accounts (IRAs). Options like traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and SEP IRAs are available to help choose the most suitable account based on financial goals.

Robo-advisors use Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) to build portfolios while maximizing returns and minimizing risk through diversification. MPT suggests spreading investments across different asset classes to reduce the impact of market fluctuations and maintain steady portfolio growth.

Future outlook

According to IMARC Group, as of 2023, the global robo-advisory market reached US$9.4 billion, with forecasts suggesting it could reach US$76.2 billion by 2032, reflecting a CAGR of 25.6% from 2024 to 2032.

While robo-advisors aren’t likely to replace human consultants anytime soon, a hybrid approach that combines digital algorithms with a human touch brings big benefits. This mix boosts digital customer service and lets advisors spend more time building client relationships and offering strategic advice.

Super app banking

In the financial world, a super app combines all sorts of financial services into one handy mobile app. Instead of downloading separate apps for banking, investing, payments, insurance, and financial planning, a financial super app puts everything in one place.

Key features of FinTech super apps:

Digital payments facilitation

Secure and user-friendly payment option through mobile wallets, peer-to-peer transactions, NFC, and QR codes.

Mobile banking promotion

Easy access to bank accounts, balance checks, transactions (like fund transfers), and bill payments directly through the app.

Investment and wealth management

Allows users to trade stocks, mutual funds, and digital assets. They also offer portfolio tracking, real-time market data, investment analysis tools, and personalized investment recommendations.

Personal financial management

Helps users with budgeting, expense tracking, setting financial goals, and receiving alerts for bill payments and financial milestones.

Credit solutions and lending options

Features include loan calculators, eligibility assessments, credit card management, and peer-to-peer lending services.

AI/ML

AI and ML offer personalized insights and recommendations based on user data, fine-tuned financial strategies, and identified areas for improvement.

Customer service

AI-powered chatbots provide instant, automated customer support, supplemented by in-app messaging and ticketing systems to resolve queries efficiently.

Future outlook

The rapidly growing super app market showcases its significant impact on both B2B and B2C sectors. Initially valued at US$58.6 billion globally in 2022, it is projected to reach US$722.4 billion by 2032.

The future of financial super apps could see them expanding more into Western markets. However, Western consumers are used to using dedicated apps for specific needs — like Instagram for photos, Discord for chatting while gaming, and Venmo for sending money. Because of this established habit and existing competition, we might see niche-specific super apps in the West rather than the all-in-one super apps popular in Asia.

Tokenization of financial assets

Financial assets tokenization is the conversion of real-world financial assets such as stocks, bonds, real estate, and commodities into digital tokens.

Tokenization speeds up the transfer of money and securities by turning them into digital tokens on a blockchain, which makes transactions quicker, safer, and easier to automate. In addition, tokenization can make illiquid assets, such as private credit and private equity, more liquid. This happens by breaking them down into smaller pieces, attracting more potential buyers. As a result, borrowers can use these tokenized assets just like they would use a bond.

Tokens can transfer value between blockchain-based and traditional financial systems by bridging the two. For example, a token representing a real-world asset can be traded on a blockchain and recognized by traditional financial institutions for investments, loans, or collateral. This allows assets to move seamlessly between systems, expand market opportunities, and improve liquidity.

Future outlook

The future development of tokenization faces several key challenges, primarily stemming from regulatory and technical issues. On the regulatory front, there is a lack of clarity on how security tokens can comply with existing financial regulations, which were originally designed for traditional securities. This uncertainty poses significant hurdles to wider adoption. On the technical side, a major challenge is providing a reliable connection between on-chain tokens and their real-world, off-chain assets. This requires secure and trustworthy data sources, known as “oracles,” to provide accurate and timely information.

Trend	Description	Key Benefits
AI	Integrating AI for fraud detection, risk assessment, and personalized customer experiences	Increased efficiency and customer satisfaction along with improved risk management
Open banking	Enabling third-party developers to access financial data from traditional banking systems via APIs	Improved access to services, substantial savings on costs, better inclusion, and robust fraud prevention
Embedded finance	Integrating digital banking and other financial services into the platforms or applications of non-financial companies	Improved user convenience, simplified customer interaction, accessible services for unbanked individuals
Open finance	Expanding data sharing and integrating financial information across non-financial sectors	Better control over financial data, access to a broader range of financial services, and more personalized experiences
Enhanced cybersecurity measures	Implementing security protocols and measures to protect sensitive data	Secure handling of customer data and banking transactions, improved threat detections, increased customer trust
Digital-only banks (Neobanks)	Digital financial institutions that operate through online platforms	Personalized user experience, lower fees, fast and easy account opening
Financial inclusion	Providing individuals and businesses with access to financial products and services through digital platforms	Inclusivity and financial literacy, access to financial services for underserved regions
Sustainable and ethical banking	Aligning ethical, social, and environmental principles with banking activities	Increased transparency and participation, positive social impact
Robo-advising	Digital brokerage account designed to automate the investment process	Increased flexibility, personalized advice, automated portfolio rebalancing
Digital transformation	Integrating digital tech across all banking operations	Increased operational effectiveness and customer satisfaction
Super app banking	Consolidating a wide range of services within a single application	Secure and user-friendly payment solutions, easy access to financial and non-financial services
Tokenization of financial assets	Converting real-world financial assets into digital tokens	Accelerated transfer of funds, increased pool of potential borrowers

Honorable mentions

Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

The Internet of Things (IoT)

Big data

Decentralized ledger technology (DLT)

Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Banks use RPA to handle repetitive tasks and automate essential processes like data entry, account reconciliation, and customer service operations.

The Internet of Things (IoT)

IoT includes a network of physical devices, like wearables or smart appliances that gather and share data. In banking, this tech provides quick contactless payments and improves customers' mobile banking experiences.

Big data

Banks use big data to gather, store, and analyze information from sources like customer transactions and social media, spot behavioral patterns and trends, support targeted marketing efforts, and strengthen fraud prevention measures.

Decentralized ledger technology (DLT)

With DLT, especially blockchain, transactions are secure and transparent because everyone in the network shares the same ledger, so nothing can be tampered with. DLT also eliminates the need for intermediaries and makes banking transactions faster and more efficient.

Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Banks use RPA to handle repetitive tasks and automate essential processes like data entry, account reconciliation, and customer service operations.

The Internet of Things (IoT)

Big data

Decentralized ledger technology (DLT)

“Adopting new tech is a game-changer for the ever-evolving banking sector. Bringing in techs like AI, blockchain, and IoT can make everything run smoother, give customers a better experience, and tighten up cybersecurity. So, why not jump on board? Embracing these innovations helps banks stay competitive, sparks fresh ideas in the financial world, and helps them keep up with the growing needs of digital-savvy customers.”

Siarhei Sukhadolski

FinTech Expert at Innowise

Challenges of integrating digital banking trends

Even though jumping on new trends in digital banking has significant benefits, there are still some challenges that can get in the way of making it all work smoothly in the banking world. According to McKinsey research, 70% of digital transformations in banking exceed their original budgets, with 7% costing more than double the initial projections.

Cybersecurity

Banks need to strengthen their defenses against cyber threats that target customer data and transactions. Plus, the data collection and AI analytics raise ethical questions about how banks are using customer information.

Integration with legacy systems

When banks go digital, they have to deal with their old, complicated systems and figure out how to connect them with new tech. This can take a lot of time, cost a lot of money, and needs a solid plan, careful testing, and smooth integration.

Regulatory compliance

Banks work across different regions and have to follow a mix of changing rules around AI, data protection, and financial transactions. The fast pace of tech innovation makes this even trickier, often moving faster than the regulations, which leads to uncertainty and means banks need to adapt quickly.

Financial inclusion

The move to digital banking has exposed a digital divide that leaves out people who don’t have access to digital devices. It’s important to make sure everyone has access to digital banking to avoid leaving vulnerable groups behind.

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Conclusion

As we move through 2024, new trends in digital banking are shaping the future of the financial world. Traditional banks need to keep up with the latest digital changes to stay in the game. Meanwhile, banks already going digital should focus on strengthening their positions, managing cybersecurity risks, and offering smooth, user-friendly services and great customer experiences.

FAQ

How is AI transforming digital banking?

AI helps banks to up their game in detecting fraud and making more accurate financial predictions. It also helps them cut down on risks, save money on old systems, and streamline processes that used to be really time-consuming and manual.

What role does blockchain play in digital banking?

Blockchain is shaking things up in banking by boosting security, speeding up transactions, and cutting costs. Plus, it offers quicker and cheaper cross-border transactions, making the whole process smoother and more efficient.

What is open banking and why is it important?

Open banking allows third-party developers to access financial data from traditional banks through APIs. It makes financial services easier to access, allows for instant transactions, and encourages partnerships between banks and FinTechs.

How are banks improving cybersecurity in 2024?

In 2024, banks are stepping up their cybersecurity game to counter the growing threats. They’re moving towards passwordless authentication and using biometric tech like fingerprints and facial recognition to make it harder for fraudsters to succeed.

Siarhei Sukhadolski FinTech Expert

Date: Oct 02, 2024

Siarhei Sukhadolski FinTech Expert

Date: Oct 02, 2024

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