BNL and Vodafone collaborate on ‘the bank of the future’
Italian bank BNL GRUPPO BNP Paribas and Vodafone Business are partnering to create a greener and more secure digital banking experience.
Spread across five years, Vodafone will be supplying BNL with mobile technology to enhance staff-customer communications, as well as upgrading its network infrastructure with new 5G capabilities.
Furthermore, the duo will jointly explore fresh applications of mobile tech within finance, such as wireless ATMs, video services and usage of augmented/virtual reality. Ultimately, the endeavour will strive to deliver a more engaging experience that is suitable for the digital era.
Technology: improving banking
The capacity for digital technology to drive financial inclusion and improve corporate agility are well documented; a study conducted by Vodafone Business itself found that 79% of those surveyed identified it as a vital strength for staying ‘future proof’.
“BNL is putting digital at the heart of its long-term strategy to build a responsible, sustainable and accessible bank,” said Vinod Kumar, CEO, Vodafone Business.
“This makes BNL part of a forward-thinking group of companies that see technology as a core part of creating a successful business and their contribution to building a digital society. We look forward to partnering with them on that journey and supporting BNL to deliver new services that benefit customers, employees and the wider world.”
Saverio Ferraro, CIO at BNL, stated that the bank’s desire for digital transformation extends far beyond the company, rather it is a defining vision for society at large.
“There’s a need for innovative solutions that support mobility and sustainability at the same time and that can strengthen trust between banks and their customers. Digital collaboration tools and technologies are a daily need and the last few months have made this even clearer.
“At BNL we want to accelerate our digital evolution for our colleagues and customers. That’s why we have built a five future-proofing year programme with Vodafone Business. Creating a digital-first culture is essential for us. We are also very proud of having sustainability at the heart of everything we do as part of our #positivebanking project.”
Changing the experience
BNL-Vodafone’s mission to change the banking experience is well-timed: as counterpart banks in the UK struggle to recapture the popularity of their in-branch experience post-COVID-19, exploring new, digitally-infused options appears to interpret a general shift in consumer preference.
“Traditional banks must now recognise that sticking to their old ways is no longer an option. In the world of banking, tradition has moved on,” commented Alex Kwiatkowski, Principal Industry Consultant, Global Banking Practice, SAS.
“Convenience, ease of use and the ability to control your finances at the tap of a screen: this is what customers now consider to be normal.”
