why sometimes less is more when it comes to payments for financial services


In a world filled with cutting-edge technology and the constant buzz of innovation, it’s easy to get caught up in the race for the next big thing. Payments have not been an exception. An era of innovation has created customer expectations for personalization and ease of their shopping journeys, right down to the last key moment of checkout.

Successful payments innovation must mean different things in different scenarios. In hospitality, consumers may be open to “tech-out” and feel one step removed from a physical transaction, and in gaming, payments via a VR headset are welcome.

The same is not true when it comes to payments in financial services. When buying an insurance policy or transferring money internationally to a loved one, for example, it’s the subtle innovation that enables simplicity, reliability and security that makes for a solid payment experience.

Financial services companies need to remember that as payments innovation gathers pace, they may not need all the latest to achieve customer satisfaction. The success of this department lies in adapting the payment technology to the nature of the transaction.

The top four reasons for abandoning financial services transactions center around a lack of simplicity and accessibility: multiple transaction attempts (56%), requiring too much information (52%), too many steps (48%) or redirected to a different site. (45%). This is completely understandable: when a consumer is navigating the process of buying a complex insurance policy, for example, friction at the last minute can cause them to abandon the purchase. Clearly, ease of use isn’t just nice; is a non-negotiable.

This is where financial services companies need to make sure they use technology to set themselves up for simplicity. One-click payments, for example, are a way to ensure ease of use and smooth transaction completion: 84% of financial services consumers believe it’s important to be able to pay this way. Another quick win is ensuring that payment data can be saved to enable faster future processing, which is said to be important to 82% of consumers.

Incremental changes like these can remove considerable roadblocks and move toward a smoother payment experience.

Just because payments for financial services may not be made via VR headsets and smartwatches, that doesn’t mean it’s a one-size-fits-all approach.



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