Banks and DigiHandig help digital starters practise mobile banking worry-free

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Article tags:
  • Diversity and inclusion

DigiHandig, the four major Dutch banks, the Dutch Payments Association and the Dutch Banking Association (NVB) are launching a new function in the DigiHandig app. Digital starters (people who are less digitally savvy) can use the app to get to feel safe and comfortable with mobile banking. DigiHandig now includes easy-to-follow interactive demos and exercises that explain how to use the mobile banking apps of various banks.

This initiative reflects the Digital Society Alliance's Manifesto for Digital Inclusion. A key aim of the manifesto is to promote the digital skills of users and to support this in as many different ways as possible. The DigiHandig app is another tool created by the banks to eliminate barriers to digital banking and payments through their Accessible Banking programme.

Banks join forces to eliminate barriers

One sixth of the adult population in the Netherlands struggle with digital services, various studies have shown. Banking and payments are increasingly done digitally, and increasingly via mobile apps on smartphones and tablets. Banks wants to keep digital starters on board in this transition, and the DigiHandig app can help.

Digital starters often feel out of their depth with the mobile apps provided by banks. Financial and banking matters are delicate issues, and digital starters are afraid they may lose money if they make a mistake in a mobile banking app. This fear prevents them from using the apps.

The new learning function in the DigiHandig app allows digital starters to explore mobile banking safely at their own pace and practise before getting to grips with their bank’s actual app.

Familiarising yourself with mobile banking at your own pace

The DigiHandig app makes it clear that before making any change or payment in a mobile banking app, you always have to give explicit approval via a security code, fingerprint or face recognition. Digital starters can try this out at their leisure in the practice app without making any real transactions. They can also use the DigiHandig app to learn how to log in, check payments, block their bank card and much more besides. When they have had enough practice, they can start using their own bank’s actual mobile banking app more confidently.

“I am very pleased with mobile banking in DigiHandig. I thought mobile banking was difficult, but it’s really not that bad. The practise lessons have helped me find my way,” says Mia Parren, in Delft, about the new learning function.

The DigiHandig app is available free of charge in the Apple and Google app stores and via https://www.digihandig.nl/download. You can install the app yourself or help someone else install it.