Open banking can be a driving force for innovation in industries beyond banking. Securely accessible consumer transaction data is helping companies provide consumers with better financial offerings worldwide.
If correctly implemented, open banking initiatives could save UK consumers £18 billion in value, mostly with the help of financial management tools. Let’s look at 5 less-obvious open banking use-cases that are either in the planning/ development stage or haven’t been built yet.
Travelling without a passport
Anyone who has ever travelled abroad is all too familiar with the long queues for passport checks. But not for much longer. The World Economic Forum is already testing a new initiative called the Known Traveller Digital Identity (KTDI) programme, which would allow passengers to fly between international destinations document-free. Passengers participating in the pilot project would be using their mobile phones to verify their identity, instead of a passport.
The UK government is likewise tackling this issue by issuing “a call for comments on the development of digital identities, including the role of the government and the private sector”. Both initiatives highlight the importance of private sector initiatives. The WEC report summary outlines that trustful cooperation “between international public and private sector partners” is one of the key factors “required for ensuring the safe and secure movement of people across borders.”
Private companies tackling this issue can use open banking as one of the pillars of travel identity verification. Opening and operating a bank account requires the same type of documentation required for travel. Open APIs can help digital identity providers access customer identities via their banking platform securely and quickly.
Forming financial habits
Financial service providers using open banking are already helping consumers turn their financial behaviours into habits. Revolut, for example, offers users a categorised view of all their spending. And while the insights alone don’t necessarily contribute to forming better habits, they’re a useful tool nonetheless.
Innovative service providers can use consumer transaction data to offer apps aimed at forming new, healthier habits. One app that does this already is Spendee — the money manager and budget planner help users control their wallets and expenses, see a comprehensive overview of their spending and save money by creating — and sticking to — a budget.
Research shows that it takes individuals anywhere from 18–254 days to form new habits. Financial services using open banking can help consumers along on this journey by providing quick and easy onboarding, well-designed user experience and reliable platforms. Apart from budget control, open banking-powered apps can also assist consumers with forming financial investment, insurance and retirement habits.
Finding the perfect apartment
Price, location and infrastructure are amongst the most important criteria when looking for an apartment. Real estate companies with vast databases can charge hefty commissions so individuals often look for housing options to local ad-powered platforms, social media and social community platforms.
Open banking enabled apps could help secure service providers suggest consumers the best possible apartment options in selected areas based on their actual spending preferences. Shopping at Walmart or Tesco? The ideal apartment should have one of those nearby. Spending on transportation? An app could help identify an area with the best bus connections.
Consumer transaction data reveals exactly what they require to sustain their lifestyles — from restaurants, shops, transportation, daycare, schools, medical facilities and more. Services using open banking could even utilise consumer account data to help them predict their future needs, for example….
Meeting consumer life cycle needs
… what service they’ll be required next. Accurately categorised transaction data can reveal a multitude of information about a consumer’s life cycle — a study loan indicates that they’re most likely a student, a mortgage — that they’re assumedly a homeowner and kindergarten payments are a clear sign of parenthood.
Open banking enabled account data can help marketers better understand and serve their customers, offering them products and services that are immediately relevant and even needed. Digital ads tend to be ignored. Data shows that “users have learned to ignore content that resembles ads, is close to ads, or appears in locations traditionally dedicated to ads.” Open banking can help digital marketers improve their targeting and decrease consumer exposure to irrelevant ads.
Account data can also be used for predicting the next consumer life cycle based on their historical information. It’s clear that after applying for a student loan, students will need affordable housing and insurance. A mortgage payment will likely be followed by renovation expenses and new furniture. A new parent will be searching for excellent daycare and baby products in their area. Open banking helps service providers understand, predict and tackle the needs of their potential customers even before they actualise.
Enabling wage transparency
Another non-obvious use-case that open banking could help address is wage transparency. Whether tackling wage inequality, employee rights or simply asking for a promotion, account data can provide working professionals with the insights they require to thrive in the global workforce.
Imagine an app that could aggregate the average salaries of professionals operating within the same field. Companies go to great lengths to conceal their employee salaries, but data indicates this to be counterproductive. INSEAD research, examining wage statistics in Danish companies revealed that the disclosure of wage statistics showing the difference in gender compensation helped reduce the pay gap by 7 percent.
Open banking powered apps comparing wages could likewise support employees seeking promotions — data revealing how much workers in the same field earn could be the most powerful tool for salary negotiations. This would help promote fair pay and sustainable labour migration.
Open banking has a multitude of use cases. Some, like a digital passport, is already underway, whilst others are still in their early stages. By leveraging secure account data sharing between licensed service providers, companies using open banking can truly help improve their consumer life quality.
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