As digitalization continues to redefine the finance sector as we know it, customers are demanding a swift shift to digital banking services. While traditional banks and Fintechs are upgrading their systems to meet these demands from their customers, neobanks are creating digital bridges to connect numerous businesses and users to digital financial services, especially in areas not sufficiently covered by conventional banking activities. But then the following questions come to mind: what is neobank? What are the features of neobanks? What are the pros and cons of using the services of neobanks?
Stick along as we provide answers to all basic questions relating to neobanks.
What is neobank?
Neobank is a species of online fintech institutions that offers basic banking services by implementing cutting-edge technology. Unlike traditional banking institutions, neobanks offers banking services strictly online, via mobile apps, or online banking. While they possess no physically identifiable branches, they afford the customer avenues to open an account seamlessly, control their finances in real-time and make online purchases from anywhere.
Digital bank vs neobank: is there a point of divergence?
Neobanks should not be confused with digital banks. Though similar in some ways, both are different forms of financial institutions. While digital banks are usually an offshoot of traditional banks with physical branch networks and offer a wider range of banking services, neobanks are strictly online fintech institutions with no physical branch networks.
Neobanks are sometimes called challenger banks because they compete with incumbent banks and provide services to areas not sufficiently covered by the conventional banking system, without any stress and at zero fees.
Neobanks software platform
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Key neobank features
- They are cost-effective
- Offer personalized financial services through A-I-powered technology
- Do not have any physical branch network
- They also operate a 24/7 financial service system
How neobanks operate
The neobanks’ modus operandi is very simple, and the same goes for the requirements needed to start one. Neobanks attempt to distinguish themselves from regular banks on a basic level, making themselves more appealing to the technologically driven consumers (especially Gen Z and millennials) who are increasingly becoming dissatisfied with the bureaucratic nature of traditional banks.
Source: thestrategystory.com
One of the foundations of neobanks is the absence of a physical branch network, and as such, they perform their operations strictly within the online space, thereby lowering customer expenditure. Neobanks employ AI-powered technology to collate customer data to provide personalized banking services to users.
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The vast amount of data they acquire from their consumers are used to understand their users better, identify problems and develop requisite solutions. Because their systems are also significantly computerized, collecting and analyzing data and understanding how their clients interact in the financial ecosystem becomes much easier.
How do neobanks make money?
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So, how do neobanks make money? According to the stats by Research And Markets, the global neobanking market is projected to hit $333.4 billion by 2026, at an annual growth rate of 47.1%. The projected growth is impressive, given that they are quite new, have no identifiable physical structure, and haven’t built a substantial confidence level. The big question then is, how do they stay profitable?
Neobanks operate a business model different from conventional banks. A large percentage of their profit is generated from interchange fees paid by businesses whenever customers purchase with a neobank’s debit card. For instance, Chime, a popular neobank platform in the US, has a user base of around 12 million and issues an actual debit card to registered users. Whenever users make a purchase using the Visa debit card, a fee of 1.5% is charged by Visa. Visa, in turn, pays a fraction of the charges to Chime neobank.
Another important neobank feature is that they also profit from interchange fees whenever users make a purchase using a neobank credit card. A bit of context is the Nubank business model. Nubank is a neobank based in Brazil that boasts more than 40 million users. They offer credit card services and charge a fee for every transaction performed by their user. They also profit from the interest charge on users’ over-drawn credit balances.
Furthermore, neobanks benefit from interest charges on deposits and account opening. They also profit from the interest earned on ATM fees.
Now we are quite familiar with the concept of neobanks, their features, mode of operation, and revenue generation. Let’s look at some neobank pros and cons.
Advantages of neobanking
Lower operational costs
Neobanks operate at a cheaper cost because of their lack of physical branch networks and fewer personnel. Typically, the capital savings associated with their no-branch business model are passed down to their consumers in the form of cheaper rates and no monthly fee payments.
Effortless banking methods
Neobanks have changed banking by moving away from the old model of visiting a bank branch and queuing for hours before transacting, to a system of digitally tailored self-service ideas. With neobanks, all you need is a mobile app that enables you to conduct simple financial activities from anywhere.
Speed
Neobanks also boast of speed in their method of service rendering. With a neobank, you could open an account, make a deposit, transfer money, and make online purchases faster than you could locate a traditional bank branch.
Use of technology
Neobanks use AI-powered technology to provide upgraded services to users. They also use AI-powered technology to understand customers’ interaction with their service and thus provide quality services tailored to their specific needs.
More efficient for international payments
One of the benefits of neobank solution in terms of performing an international payment is that they only require you to open an account with them and then use your cards for international transactions. Traditional banks, most times, would require you to perform some form of upgrades to your account before being allowed to perform international transactions.
Disadvantages of neobanking
Lack of bank charter/license
Most neobanks lack legal documents empowering them to operate as a bank. They must partner with other banks to back their product and services. As a result, a duty of due diligence is expected from users to ensure that the neobank platform of their choice is partnered with a bank that FDIC insures.
Absence of physical branches
This is one of its most limiting factors of neobanks. As a result, they seems impersonal and do not engender trust (especially among the older generation).
Use of technology
High-end technology employed to provide financial services may pose some difficulties to the older generation, who may not be in tune with modern technological advancements.
Bottom line
Neobanking was born to meet the radical digital changes in the finance sector, and so far, it has lived up to expectations. Now, customers benefit from neobank features; they no longer have to undergo the rigors of performing basic financial transactions occasioned by traditional banks when they can access the service of a new bank and perform their financial transactions on their terms.
For intending owners of neobanks, SDK.finance offers digital retail banking software to help you build a neobank and design it to meet your specific requirements. Check it out and contact us for details. .
FAQ
What is neobank?
Neobank is a species of the digital bank that offers strictly online banking services via mobile apps or online banking.
How do neobanks make money?
Neobanks can make a large percentage of their profit from interchange fees paid by businesses whenever customers purchase with a neobank’s debit card or credit card. They also profit from interest charges on deposits and account opening. They also profit from interest earned on the ATM fees.
