Recently updated on July 22, 2024
The majority of banking interactions today are shifting online, increasing the demand for secure, user-friendly mobile banking apps.
Revenue from mobile banking was $772.96 million in 2022, and by 2030, it is expected to reach $1.87 billion. This suggests that financial institutions have a large profit potential if they create banking apps that satisfy customer expectations.
Mobile banking app development is all about understanding people’s values and pains as well as the specifics of the software market. That’s why we’ve gathered everything you need to know to create the ultimate banking app that would appeal to every generation, especially Gen Z and Millennials, particularly smartphone-savvy demographics.
If you want to develop an engaging and modern mobile banking application, Kindgeek can guide you through the process.
Content:
- Exploring the Fundamentals
- 6 Steps to Mobile Banking Development
- What Are Key Banking App Features?
- Develop a Mobile Banking App with Kindgeek
- Final Thoughts
Exploring the Fundamentals
Before we step into how to build a banking app, let’s understand its essence and which features it could potentially include.
A mobile banking app is a software platform that lets users perform their banking operations from their smartphones and tablets. It offers users a safe and easy way to handle their money online.
Some of the key characteristics that can contribute to the success of these apps include:
Intuitive User Interface (UI)
Your banking application should be intuitive and convenient. Therefore, ensure that your software incorporates an adaptive interface, simple and clean design, intuitive navigation and accessibility including simple fonts, high-contrast color schemes, and easy-to-spot buttons.
Security
In a time when there is a constant threat from cyberattacks and fraudulent activity, security remains a top priority for mobile banking app development. To develop a secure banking app, you must incorporate multi-factor authentication (MFA), biometric authentication, and data encryption.
Personalization and Notifications
These are key components of a mobile banking app that enhance the user experience and provide timely updates, including a personalized dashboard, push notifications, and 24/7 support.
Core Banking Features
Core banking features are essential functionalities that ensure users have everything they need to handle their finances effortlessly. These features allow users to manage their accounts and perform basic banking tasks such as transferring funds, checking account balances, and paying bills.
Advanced Features
Advanced features in a mobile banking app go beyond basic functionalities to provide users with additional tools and services. Some examples are budgeting tools, investment services, AI-powered chatbots, ATM and bank branch locations, and more.
6 Steps to Mobile Banking Development
So how to build a mobile banking app once you know the approximate features it will offer? Here’s a structured approach:
Step 1: Planning Your App
At Kindgeek, we start with product discovery to make informed decisions about further development. This means thoroughly researching the market and understanding user needs and preferences.
Here’s what you should cover during this phase:
- Market research
- User needs analysis
- Feature prioritization
- Technology assessment
- Regulatory requirements
- Prototype development
- Business model
- Risk assessment
- Budget and resource planning
- Roadmap development
Thorough preparation equips you with comprehensive knowledge of how to create a mobile banking app that stands out in the competitive landscape.
Step 2: Designing Your App
A banking app’s design must strike a delicate balance: it should be simple and approachable while also being visually appealing and highly functional. Here are some of the best UI/UX practices to achieve this balance:
- Intuitive navigation
- Clean and minimalist design
- Responsive and fast performance
- Accessible and inclusive design features
- Security design
By incorporating these features, a banking app can provide a user-centric experience that is both efficient and enjoyable.
Step 3: Development Process
Mobile banking application development is a complex yet structured journey. The technology stack for building a mobile banking app typically includes a combination of frontend, backend, and database technologies. Targeting both Android and iOS users increases your app’s accessibility and widens its user base.
Integrating 3rd-party services like payment gateways is a great way to enhance your app features without developing these functionalities from scratch.
Step 4: Testing Your App
Testing and Quality Assurance (QA) is crucial for ensuring the reliability, security, and performance of a banking app. Here’s how you can approach testing:
- Conduct rigorous testing to identify and fix bugs and errors.
- Run performance testing to ensure the app performs well under load.
- Test security measures to protect against vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with industry standards.
Step 5: Launching Your App
It’s time to launch!
- Prepare the app for deployment to app stores (e.g., App Store, and Google Play).
- Follow guidelines for submission and approval processes.
- Coordinate with stakeholders for a smooth rollout and launch.
It’s also important to plan a marketing strategy to promote the app and attract initial users.
Step 6: Post-Launch
Post-launch maintenance is a critical phase for the ongoing success of your app. What you should do here is monitor app performance, user feedback, and security incidents to improve the app continuously. Offer regular updates to fix bugs and introduce new features.
Considering all these steps, you understand how to create banking application software that meets industry standards and ensures continuous improvement.
What Are Key Banking App Features?
Being designed to deliver utter convenience for users, mobile banking apps can boast various handy features to ensure a comprehensive user experience. Here’s a brief overview of the essential features of mobile banking apps:
Account Management
Effective account management features are the backbone of any banking app. These tools allow users to handle various aspects of their accounts without visiting a branch, such as making balance inquiries, viewing transaction history, and accessing account statements.
Payments and Transfers
Banking apps allow users to perform a variety of financial transactions like sending money, paying bills, and transferring funds between accounts. It may also support international wire transfers and peer-to-peer payments.
Card Management
Offer users full control over their debit and credit cards directly from their mobile banking app. This includes the ability to activate new cards, report lost or stolen cards, block or unblock cards, request replacements, and set transaction or withdrawal limits. Some apps also allow users to generate virtual cards to pay contactless in stores or online.
Loan and Credit
Offers information and management tools for personal loans, mortgages, and lines of credit. Users can apply for new loans, view their balances, track repayment schedules, and make payments.
Investments
Users can view their investment portfolios, track market trends, set up automatic investments, and receive investment advice. Some apps integrate with robo-advisors and offer educational resources on investing.
Budgeting Tools
These features help users manage their finances more effectively. They can include expense tracking, savings goals, and financial health reports.
Bio Authentication
Enhances app security by using biometric data for authentication. This typically includes fingerprint scanning, facial recognition, or voice recognition to log in to the app, authorize transactions, and access sensitive information.
Digital Wallets
Mobile banking apps integrate with digital wallet services like Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and Samsung Pay. This allows users to store their card info in the app and use their mobile devices for contactless payments.
Customer Support
This can include live chat with customer service representatives, a help center with FAQs and troubleshooting guides, and email support. Some apps also use AI to offer personalized financial advice and fintech chatbots for round-the-clock customer assistance.
Notifications
Users can stay informed with real-time alerts and notifications. They include updates about account activity, payment reminders, and personalized offers. Notifications can be customized based on user preferences and delivered via push notifications, SMS, or email.
ATM and Bank Branch Locator
This feature helps users find the nearest ATMs and bank branches using GPS and mapping services. It provides details such as addresses, hours of operation, and available services at each location. It may also offer directions.
Currency Converter
A built-in currency converter tool allows users to convert amounts between different currencies. It can be useful for travelers or anyone dealing with multiple currencies regularly.
As new forms of financial services emerge, businesses strive to expand their offerings with comprehensive functionalities. Many aim to create all-in-one solutions that cater to diverse customer needs and leverage the latest technology and trends.
Develop a Mobile Banking App with Kindgeek
If you are looking to build a mobile banking app, consider Kindgeek. We support companies in launching their products by offering core fintech banking and payment solutions, from digital wallets to neobanks, catering to startups and enterprise-level customers.
We also provide a white label digital banking platform, which serves as a foundation for digital finance products. The customizable white-label core allows you to build on top of it and create a unique customer experience.
Final Thoughts
Mobile application development for banking purposes continues to evolve, driven by technological advancements, but timeless concepts remain — user experience, convenience, and security. It’s time to embrace this new era and turn your idea into an online banking experience where users can benefit from the financial ecosystems enclosed within the neat shells of their smartphones.
All you have to do is partner with reliable fintech providers who can seamlessly integrate their solutions into your app. If you’re ready to take the next step, contact us, and we’ll help you drive your project forward.