Mobile Banking Application

Microservices

Microservices in Digital Banking 2023 – What are the Impacts?

Microservices in Digital Banking 2023 – What are the Impacts? 650 486 Exist Software Labs

Microservices are becoming increasingly popular in digital banking due to their ability to facilitate agility, scalability, and flexibility in software development.

Technology innovations shaped the world that we live in. It is now a necessity. This is also applicable in the Banking and Financial industry. With the new game-changers in this vertical, the competition became stiffer. Now that the competition rises, dynamic innovations and adapting digitization are now becoming the standard in the banking and financial industry. 

Time to Market is very crucial as well as ensuring the stability and security of the application. To keep up with the demands of the market and at the same time balance the importance of these three factors, applications should now be built using Microservices.


MICROSERVICES

Microservices are a modern approach to software whereby application code is delivered in small, manageable pieces, independent of others (Spring). Having said that, using microservices architecture, could help developers implement each component individually. They can execute innovations into one certain application without the involvement of other applications. It is not a large-based code that when something wrong happens, will affect the whole project.


WHY
MICROSERVICES?

WHY MICROSERVICES?

Since Microservices operate as a variety of applications that have a specific functionality under one system, microservices are easier to maintain, scale, a faster turnaround time in deployment and have a better resilience to technical faults.

WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS OF MICROSERVICES?

  • SCALABILITY 

Microservices Architecture develops single software systems which are running independently enabling the banking businesses to evolve as they scale without difficulty. When there are new offerings and features in their mobile banking application, they can still operate even if some parts are under development. By doing so, users can still use the mobile app and do other transactions.

  • AGILE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

Projects are developed incrementally. New features can be broken down as small projects which can be done in parallel by different teams. Using DevOps, microservices are being optimized and can be deployed smoothly. This approach allows banks to introduce new innovations to the public faster. Moreover, banks can now update their mobile banking applications while operating transactions simultaneously. 

  • FLEXIBILITY OF USING DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGY STACKS

When it comes to integrating different technologies to use for multiple features in a digital bank, software developers can easily push frameworks, databases & etc,. In addition, new technologies can be employed in the application when there are major changes. Banks with specific requirements can be tailor-fit based on their needs.

At Exist, we want you to go where the possibilities are boundless. Since being superior in digital experiences are essential in staying relevant, we are empowering banks and financial institutions in digitalization to rapidly grow and make their business future-ready.

Exist Software Labs, Inc. is committed to extending our assistance to several banks with their Digital Onboarding requirements. We have been in the business for 20 years, and the mission is to enable corporations to go on digital and have a competitive advantage in this fast-changing world.

Be where your customers are!

Transform your bank into an omni-channel platform.

Two (2) Ways to Know that your Mobile Banking is Safe

Two (2) Ways to Know that your Mobile Banking is Safe

Two (2) Ways to Know that your Mobile Banking is Safe 650 486 Exist Software Labs

Today, mobile banking is part of our daily lives today but, is it safe and secure to handle our online transactions? Users like the convenience of mobile banking as it gives them benefits that they can also have in physical branches. To name a few, they can use their smartphones to check their account balance, transfer money, pay their bills, shop online, etc. 

However,  Several Philippine Banks were hacked last year. It created fear not only for the users but for the financial institutions as well. It became the focus of the media for quite some time. Luckily,  the perpetrators were arrested. Financial Institutions’ online security was strengthened and users became more vigilant. There are two ways to know if Mobile Banking is safe.

1. END-USER’S SECURITY FEATURE

These features are essential to the end-users when it comes to mobile banking. It will give them multiple options to secure their accounts while enjoying the convenience of online banking.

  • ONE TIME PASSWORDS (OTP)

One Time Password (OTP) is a secure code sent real-time to your mobile number when performing a transaction. For every transaction, it generates a different security code. 

  • BIOMETRICS AUTHENTICATION

Biometric authentication is a security method that depends on the unique biological characteristics of the user to verify the identity of the person. Biometric login gives extra security to the user because it’s impossible to hack, steal, copy or share. In comparison with OTPs, Biometrics are not number-based. 

  • CHANGING PASSWORDS REGULARLY

Protecting user’s bank accounts begins with changing passwords. As cybercrimes increase, password formats changed over the years like adding symbols & numbers (eg. Alphanumeric with special characters). Although some mobile apps require changing passwords frequently, we should change when:

  1. There’s a suspected unauthorized access
  2. The virus entered your device/s
  3. Logged in to other device/s

More than these three end-users’ security features, mobile banking users should also be aware of scammers who are using fake emails to hack their accounts. Users needs to be aware and cautious to avoid incidents like these from happening.  Moreover, we can say that mobile banking’s safety features assure us that our data, money, and  identity are secure

2. INTERNAL SECURITY FEATURES

These internal security features are part of the system when building a digital bank. Implementation of these security features is essential to provide high protection for the users against hackers, scammers, and identity fraudsters.

  • SECURE SOCKETS LAYER (SSL)

Secure Socket Layer or SSL is a security system implemented to a website or mobile application that integrates protection, privacy, and coherence. SSL encrypts the data transmitted across the web of a platform. In banking, SSL initiates an authentication process between two systems to make sure that both systems are legitimate.

SSL was created to protect user privacy by doing encryption that the user operates inside a platform. It ensures that the data inputted in the web or app will not be exposed and safe. Meaning, it is only visible and available to a platform the user operates.

  • ROBUST AUDITING MECHANISM

Aside from business process audits, a robust auditing mechanism is placed both in the system level transactions and system user activities to ensure data integrity and faster resolution of concerns. Multiple software frameworks and technical architecture are in place to ensure data traceability and immutability of audit logs.  Modern implementation also allows banks and financial institutions to take advantage of these  logs for real time monitoring and implement processes such as real time fraud detection. 

  • OWASP COMPLIANCE

OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) compliance makes sure that web applications are not vulnerable to security breaches like phishing, malwares & hacking. Moreover, OWASP updated Top 10 security risks last year. The top 10 list provides guidance and education to developers, designers, architects and business leaders concerning web security risks to avoid.

There are more security systems integrated in a digital bank to protect our data, identity, and money. SSL, Robust Auditing Mechanism & OWASP are only three of the other security requirements. Banks & financial institutions that plan to upgrade their system and are transitioning to digitalization must be aware and knowledgeable on the requirements needed.

At Exist, we believe that superior digital experiences are essential in staying relevant. Our software expertise establishes and empowers banks to rapidly grow their business.

Exist Software Labs, Inc. is committed to extending our assistance to several banks with their Digital Onboarding requirements. We have been in the business for 20 years, and the mission to enable corporations to go on digital and have a competitive advantage in this fast-changing world is at our core. Go where the possibilities are boundless!

Two (2) Ways to Know that your Mobile Banking is Safe. Java, Java Philippines

Will Mobile Banking Ever Rule the World?

Will Mobile Banking Ever Rule the World? 650 486 Exist Software Labs

In today’s current trends, mobile banking and digital platforms are most preferred and most used due to the convenience and faster process it offers with just a click of a button. As far as digital platforms are concerned, banks and financial institutions are also shifting their focus in capitalizing on adopting new technologies like mobile banking to modernize their systems into digitalization. In our era, having a mobile phone is essential since this is the primary gadget that people are using in contacting their friends.

But the story does not end there. When the pandemic started, businesses embraced the changes and opened their minds to digital transformation. From brick-and-mortar to e-commerce, restaurants to food deliveries, and physical banks to mobile banking. Why? Because it allows the users to perform their needs and get what they want in just a few clicks. 

Primarily, customer behavior is one of the significant factors why the majority of the Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI) industries are positioning themselves where their customers are present – the internet. Hence, financial institutions are creating digital roadmap and strategies to better understand the behavior of their customers as they create their digital platforms.

AVAILABILITY FOR EVERYONE (MOBILE BANKING)

Thinking about the advantages that mobile banking can offer to people, it’s about enrolling in a bank account online. In the 2019 Financial Inclusion survey, 51.2 Million Filipino adults are still unbanked. That is 71% of the total adult population! Having said that, with the long queues in the physical branches of the banks, it is very difficult to cater fifty million people to enroll them in a bank account. The good news is, fintech companies and digital-only banks are providing account onboarding in their mobile banking app for the people who want to open a bank account.

Moreover, Filipinos are now using digital wallets as part of their day-to-day transactions. This can also be observed by the banks that want to capitalize on digital banking. The point is, if financial institutions can be present where their customers are, there is no reason to be afraid.

DIGITAL ROADMAP

To strengthen their online banking, the banks’ goal is to create a highly personalized customer experience with their users. For that to happen, there should be a digital roadmap that can be presented in order to visualize the progress of their desired outcome in their banks. Digital transformation is not an overnight process, it comes with adopting new technologies that will emerge systems and integration with other institutions and third-party applications to have inter-connectivity.

Exist Software Labs, Inc. is committed to extending our assistance to several banks with their Digital Onboarding requirements. We have been in the business for 20 years, and the mission to enable corporations to go on digital and have a competitive advantage in this fast-changing world is at our core. Go where the possibilities are boundless!

Why are Traditional Banks afraid of the Truth? Java, Java Philippines

Why are Traditional Banks afraid of the Truth?

Why are Traditional Banks afraid of the Truth? 768 487 Exist Software Labs

Have you noticed that more and more businesses are accepting online payments using bank transfers, mobile payments thru phone numbers, or via QR Code?

That is because the new trend of banking is mobile and internet banking. Banks are now accelerating and scaling their assets in capitalizing on digitization. But there are some traditional banks that still don’t want the idea of digital transformation. For them, Digital Banking is still unstable. However, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is encouraging traditional banks to enable digital banking and explore innovative ways to reach customer expectations and have seamless transactions.

Before the pandemic, it was usual for customers to go to the bank to deposit their savings, apply for a loan, or pay their insurance. But in the new normal, a lot of customers shifted to do it online. It’s easier, convenient, and effortless. Digital Banking paved the way for customers and banks to get connected closely. And it shocks the traditional banks to face the truth that online banking dominates the competition.

But before that, let’s see what Digital Banking is.

DIGITAL BANKING

Digital Banking is doing everything that a traditional bank can do — Online. More than that, there are many features that digital banks can offer more than normal banks can like shopping, promos, micro-personal offerings, and more! It bridges the customers and other institutions by getting their essential needs and their normal purchases.

To understand more why traditional banks are afraid of the truth, let’s get to the point here.

The truth is:

1. DIGITAL BANKING IS FOR EVERYONE

The rise of technology taught us that having a mobile phone is important. Why? Not only does everyone now have a smartphone, but also the benefits that smartphones give the user such as communication, entertainment, etc. are within easy reach. Now, mobile internet banking is one of the most essential things that a person must have. Everyone can now enroll online even in their busiest time; it’s because they don’t need to go to a physical branch. Before, we thought that having a savings account is expensive but now, some banks offer an account for free or for a small balance! It is not exclusive nowadays, it is now for everyone!

2. EVERYTHING THAT LEADS TO FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS IS INSIDE AN ONLINE BANK

As long as there are transactions, your online bank will be relevant. With the power of technology, you can pay and purchase online at a click of a button. You can shop, do groceries, pay bills, and send money to your loved ones all in one place! Because of this, digital banks are helping their customers manage their financial lives at their own convenience.

3. CUSTOMERS WANT A REAL-TIME BANKING EXPERIENCE

How easy is it to manage your finances using a mobile bank? EFFORTLESS. We don’t have to go to an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) to check our balance. Customers want a real-time banking experience because they want to manage their money anytime, anywhere, whenever they want. Imagine you are hungry and you want to go to a drive-thru to get your food as fast as possible when in fact, you can just get your food at a click of a button via food delivery app. It is also the same with sending money to your account. You are getting it instantly and comfortably.

4. DIGITAL BANKING IS POWERFUL

The points above prove why traditional banks are afraid of the truth. Digital banking is powerful because of the technology implementations inside of the application like Big Data, eKYC, Cloud & Etc. These technologies enable the bank to monitor their customers, do real-time reporting, offer personalized promos, and engage clients in a more personalized way. This is a win-win situation on both ends. Customers can do banking, Banks with digital banking satisfy their customers!

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Digital banks and banks that also present digitally have a huge advantage over traditional banks. They are advanced in creating promos and monitor what to improve because of data analytics, being flexible in fixing errors, and trying new features if their customers leave reviews on their applications. 

Traditional Banks must think outside the box in taking a step forward to shift their practices in banking. This season is the right time to unlearn other knowledge and accept the fast-paced changes in the environment. In order to compete, traditional banks need to be part of digital transformation and create innovative & competitive advantages. Technology has a lot of things to offer that both banks and customers can benefit from.

Exist Software Labs, Inc. is committed to extending our assistance to several banks with their Digital Onboarding requirements. We have been in the business for 20 years, and the mission to enable corporations to go on digital and have a competitive advantage in this fast-changing world is at our core. Go where the possibilities are boundless!

Digital Banking. Java. Java Philippines.

Digital Banking: Bridging the Social Distance

Digital Banking: Bridging the Social Distance 768 487 Exist Software Labs

The social distancing measures imposed to contain the spread of the global pandemic COVID19 pushed people to limit themselves from physical exchanges. The current scenario also puts restrictions on accessing necessities in which finances remain the lifeblood. Even so, the gradual shift into digital banking allows many banks and their clients to keep financial matters going.

The crisis and the quarantine measures implemented painted a clearer picture of how banking systems should step up their game, for instance, not limiting it to on-premise processing of transactions. We can say that such development will not be in vain even after this global concern clears up.

Digital Banking is an idea that pushes forward the minimization of physical transactions while maximizing operations and achievement of business goals.

Major Benefits of Digital Banking

No need to visit an actual branch; faster and easier registration and onboarding process; do bank transactions anytime, anywhere

  • Traditional banking requires a client’s presence in a physical branch. The process, account application, for example, mandates them to allocate enough time to finish the initial processing. It puts going to a store, falling in line, filling out documents by hand, and submitting the documents into view. Such a scenario will take much of the applicant’s time, needless to say, effort. Through digital onboarding, a person will only need access to a device and sufficient internet connection. Case in point, Exist’s partner PBCOM in the Philippines enables its market to apply for an account online by just providing the necessary information through an application specifically designed for the said process. An application can also operate 24/7, allowing the person to apply anytime he/she feels to do so, no cut-offs, no closing time, and we have fewer people exhausted by the end of the day.

Offer the longed-for banking application; attract more unbanked individuals to register

  • Onboarding is the first opportunity to build a relationship with a client. Therefore, it should offer ease to him/her at first glance. As stated above, traditional onboarding can be tedious for most people, however. In addition to that, a single branch can only cater to applicants within the covered area. Such limitation leaves banks with less market as well. Imagine what a mobile banking application that does the job like account opening on behalf of the bank staff can do. The method will require less human supervision and is accomplished via a mobile phone, thus, leaving the one-at-a-time system behind, enabling the bank to have more applicants at once. By expanding availability through the application, banks will also keep their clients within reach, creating a more interactive platform for both parties.

Gather valid customer data through the eKYC onboarding process; upsell/cross-sell to existing clients faster

  • Paper-heavy transactions have been the long-accepted method. But with the rise of digitization, the world has been moving steadily into paperless ones. Digitally gathering the clients’ information lessens the effort of both the bank and the clients. It also creates a leeway into having a single source of truth about the client, which lowers mistakes caused by tediously transferring the data from paper to computer wherein human error can also transpire.

Easier, faster, and smarter banking: the call for leveling up the banking system is nothing new. It has been a running topic for quite some time now. The enhanced community quarantine only underlined the idea that going digital can bridge the gap between banks and their market even better. It is a race towards digital transformation, and stalling behind is not a sound choice.

Exist Software Labs, Inc. is committed to extending our assistance to several banks with their Digital Onboarding requirements. We have been in the business for over 20 years, and the mission to enable corporations to go on digital and have a competitive advantage in this fast-changing world is at our core.