FNB unveils banking app for tablets

The banking app allows new and existing customers to open an account in real time, directly from the app.

An FNB account can now be opened via the app in real time.

FNB has released a new banking app customised for tablet devices, complimenting a much larger tablet device strategy for the bank.

The app is available for download from today in app stores across Apple, Android and Windows 8 devices.

“The new Banking App, designed specifically for tablet devices, was developed with ease-of-use as a key priority and utilises the full capability of the latest tablet devices. It is completely custom-made and not a re-skin of our existing smartphone App,” says Farren Roper, Head of FNB Connect ISP and Business Operations.

The FNB banking app for tablets is content rich, both inside and outside of login. FNB customers will also be presented with customised content according to their profile. Non-FNB customers will have access to information about FNB products, promotions and rewards. The new Banking App is fully interactive and in a first for any Retail Bank in South Africa, an FNB account can now be opened via the App in a few minutes and in real time.

“We decided to build a customised App in order to offer consumers a fully immersive App that includes touch screen tablet banking, with features like drag and drop, swiping and double tapping all of which make for a great user experience,” continues Roper

According to the research firm IDC, year-on-year sales for tablet devices has grown by 78.4%, compared to laptop and desktop computers, which has declined by 4.1%. The tablet market grew more than 80% and surpassed 128 million units shipped last year. The firm expects tablet shipments to surpass desktop PC shipments for the first time in 2013. In addition, IDC forecasts tablets will outpace “portable” PC shipments next year. Currently, South Africa has more than an estimated 1 million tablets in circulation.

“Through our smartphone and tablet deal, FNB has also noted the growing popularity of tablet devices in South Africa, with more than 50% of devices sold, being tablets. As such, we believe that it is important for us to have a strategy that provides for ongoing digital banking solutions on tablet devices,” says Roper.

But new adopters of tablets are not the only consumers who will benefit from the App. According to FNB 26% of their current 450 000 smartphone Banking App customers are accessing the App from a tablet device, meaning that these customers can now migrate to the FNB Banking App for Tablets, designed specifically for the best user experience for their device.

This is in accordance with the Bank’s overall strategy for tablet devices. “Customisation is crucial for tablets because of their popularity globally and in South Africa. Tablet devices are important enough to have their own roadmap,” explains Roper.

As part of FNB’s larger tablet strategy, consumers can get their tablet device pre-loaded with its Tablet Banking App together with free connectivity. The aim is to create an ecosystem that matches the lifestyle of the digital consumer.

Aside from content, new account openings and applying for products, some of the other functionality contained in the App includes; viewing of accounts, viewing detailed balances, changing limits, viewing transaction history, viewing eBucks, once-off payments, multiple payments, forex and calculators, send money, prepaid airtime and electricity.

“We know that tablets are very popular devices and that their popularity is on the rise, which has given us an opportunity to super-serve our tablet app clients. This App was built in South Africa, by South Africans, our FNB Mobile and Connect team,” concludes Roper.