Nexa: Reimagining Mobile Banking with AI
In an era where mobile banking is becoming increasingly prevalent, with over 28 million UK adults using banking apps, I identified an opportunity to enhance the banking experience through AI-powered conversational interfaces. Nexa was conceived as an intelligent banking assistant designed to help busy professionals and tech-savvy adults manage their finances more efficiently.
UI/UX Designer
Financial Technology
July - August 2024
Challenge
While mobile banking adoption continues to grow, users often struggle with:
Time-consuming navigation through multiple screens for simple transactions
Complex processes for routine financial tasks
Growing need for personalized financial insights
Balance between convenience and security concerns
Market Analysis
Research into existing solutions revealed successful implementations like Bank of America's Erica, which handled over 1.5 billion interactions. However, a significant gap existed in addressing security concerns and building trust, especially among older users.
Research Process
Survey Insights
I conducted a survey with 36 respondents aged 26-40 in the UK to understand their attitudes toward AI in banking. Key findings included:
Most respondents were tech-savvy and familiar with AI assistants
Strong interest in AI for routine banking tasks
Significant concerns about privacy and security
Desire for personalized financial planning tools
Understanding users
Based on the user research and the insights generated, I created user personas that captured the essence of the ideal users of this product. This helps in creating personalised experiences that solves their pain points.
Design Process
Feature Ideation
Using the How Might We (HMW) framework, I developed solutions focused on:
Conversational interface supporting both text and voice interactions
Facial recognition integration for enhanced security
Real-time transaction monitoring and insights
Personalized financial recommendations
User Interface Design
I created a modern, clean interface that:
Emphasizes natural conversation
Provides clear visual feedback
Incorporates biometric security features
Maintains familiar banking app patterns while introducing innovative AI features
Prototyping
The prototype was developed using:
Figma for UI design and basic interactions
ProtoPie for advanced voice interaction simulation
Integration of facial recognition concepts
Testing & Validation
I conducted usability testing with tasks including:
App signup process
Voice command interaction
Transaction history review
Key feedback highlighted:
Positive reception of voice commands
Appreciation for enhanced security measures
Desire for clear confirmation steps in financial transactions
Impact & Learnings
Key Outcomes
Created a novel approach to mobile banking that balances innovation with security
Successfully integrated voice and text-based AI assistance
Developed a solution that addresses real user needs identified through research
Lessons Learned
Trust is paramount in financial applications and many users are still cautious with how AI integrates with their personal finances
Security features need to be both robust and user-friendly
Next Steps
Further security testing and validation
Expansion of voice command capabilities
Integration with additional financial services