Blog - Page 1138 of 1286

Design: Citibank Remodels Main Consumer Homepage

By Jim Bruene Posted on October 3, 2011
Categories: Citibank, Website Usability & Design

The folks in charge of Citibank's website are sure brave. I'm not sure I've ever seen this dramatic of a change overnight in a major banking website (see before and after screenshots below). The bank rolled out the new site Sunday night and it seems to be running smoothly today. My first impression is positive. Banking websites tend to be too cluttered. So they either overwhelm prospective customers or cause existing customers to tune the whole thing out. This seems like a step in the right direction, but only the company's web analytics team knows for sure. I'm sure it's been an interesting Monday for everyone involved. The bank moved the majority of the previous homepage links (see last screenshot) into drop-down "mega menus" that are only displayed when clicking on one of the seven primary navigation items at the top of the page (see second screenshot). The drop-downs only…

CashStar Announces Its MobileGiftReward Mobile App

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on October 3, 2011
Categories: CashStar

CashStar announced its plans to roll out a mobile app called MobileGiftReward early next year that will be piloted by undisclosed financial institutions. The app will allow consumers to use unredeemed rewards points held by banks. The goal of this app is to remove the hassle from converting rewards points into usable items:"With the app... users can convert unused rewards points into gift cards usable at CashStar client merchants."The merchants include The Gap, Starbucks, Home Depot, and many others. Here's how it works:"Users can choose the brand they want. The app then generates a bar code that can be scanned at any of that brand's stores. In cases where the merchant doesn't have a scanner at checkout, the clerk can key in a 16-digit number that appears with the bar code."CashStar demonstrated this app at FinovateFall 2011 last month in New York. A full-length demo will be posted within the next two…

BrightScope Will Allow Consumers to Write Yelp-like Reviews About Advisors

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on October 3, 2011
Categories: BrightScope

BrightScope, a financial information company that publishes retirement plan ratings and provides a free directory of financial advisors, recently announced that it plans to launch a new consumer-comment section:"BrightScope, which provides background on 450,000 advisors based on reports from the Securities and Exchange Commission and FINRA, is adding a section to its Advisor Pages that will let consumers write reviews about advisors - a concept akin to popular consumer websites like Yelp or Tripadvisor.com."The company plans to integrate this feature into the Advisor Pages by the end of this year.To learn more about BrightScope, watch its Finovate 2009 demo.

Finovate Alumni News– October 3, 2011

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on October 3, 2011
Categories: Dwolla, Dynamics, findabetterbank.com, MiiCard, PayNearMe, Rebirth Financial, Xero

Rebirth Financial introduces its new platform.FreeCreditScore.net profiles PayNearMe.Pittsburgh's Smart Business looks at how Dynamics CEO Jeff Mullen has founded and grown the company.James Varga from miiCard reflects on FinovateFall.BlueRidgeNow.com recommends using findabetterbank.com to avoid banking fees.New Zealand Herald discusses Rod Drury's success with taking Xero public.Entrepreneur looks at how Dwolla's services compare to big bank's small business services.Bobber Interactive and Bundle are making finance interesting with social engagement.The San Francisco Chronicle reports LearnVest is 1 of 30 most valuable startups in New York.Bank Technology News cites that Citi is the first bank to publicly launch a site designed using Yodlee's FinApp platform.Mint.com discusses the value of CreditSesame's Credit Badge.The Spokesman-Review discusses the popularity of P2P lending sites Prosper and Lending Club.The Paypers features Samurai from FeeFighters, an online payment gateway.Loren's World blog lists Expensify as 1 of 5 best apps for business women.USA Today lists BillFloat as a good alternative to a…

Bobber Interactive and Bundle Are Making Finance Interesting with Social Engagement

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on October 3, 2011
Categories: Bobber Interactive, Bundle

Earlier this week, Bank Technology News wrote about the gamification of finance. The article describes Capital One's promos in Zynga's CityVille (a FarmVille-like game), then looks at Seattle-based Bobber Interactive's new GoalCard:"Users set up their accounts and access funds with a Visa debit card issued by Meta Financial Group Inc.'s MetaBank Inc. and offered by Plastyc Inc. They are encouraged to share their financial goals with their Facebook friends, and they get points and rewards for transacting and sharing the application with others."New York-based Bundle is also highlighted in the article for its spending tracker and comparison platform:"Bundle, which is backed by Citigroup Inc., analyzes card transaction data to help customers track their spending. It also compares their spending to various demographic groups based on aggregated data provided by Citi and other sources."Both Bobber Interactive and Bundle demonstrated their platforms at FinovateFall last week. Full-length videos will be posted within the next two…

Out of the Inbox: ING Direct Provides Free Digital Magazine Subscription with Birthday Greeting

By Jim Bruene Posted on September 30, 2011
Categories: Email Samples, ING Direct

I like it when businesses I frequent remember a milestone. Typically, it's the anniversary of our first transaction or my birthday. I prefer the former, because it's unique to the business relationship and less cliche. Even though I know it's just a bit of programming back at the home office, it still says something about an organization that they prioritized it over other pressing needs (like a new debit card fee, see note 1). Unlike retailers or eateries, who can give customers a free desert and more than make up the cost with profit from the dinner, it's hard for banks to deliver a freebie that has actual value. Last month, I wrote about Discover's month-long double points birthday bonus. That was a winner. This week, ING Direct came through with birthday present that has some perceived value. Delivered via email (see opposite) was a complimentary four-issue subscription to ODE…

eToro Wins 3 World Finance Awards

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on September 30, 2011
Categories: eToro

At the beginning of this month, eToro won three World Finance Awards:"(eToro) was selected as the Best Social Trading Network, Best Mobile Trading Platform, and Best Trading Software Provider by the World Finance Awards. eToro was selected following an email poll of 40,000 industry decision-makers due to its innovation, originality and quality of product, as well as proof of market development and excellence in client representation."The goal of the World Finance Awards is to identify organizations that implement best practices in the financial and business world.To learn more about eToro, watch its FinovateEurope 2011 demo.

Finovate Alumni News– September 30, 2011

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on September 30, 2011
Categories: eToro, Mint.com, Personal Capital, Q2ebanking, SecondMarket, Simple, Wall Street Survivor, Xero, Yodlee

Reuters advises opening a BankSimple to avoid bank fees. Fox Business News interviews Bill Harris, CEO of Personal Capital, on the startup's services. Digital Stock Market recommends using Yodlee or Mint to help control your spending. eToro makes its blog available as a WebTrader widget. SmartMoney discusses Personal Capital's advisor video chat feature. Q2ebanking adds its mobile app to the Android marketplace. Xero wins K2 Quality award for SaaS. SecondMarket puts itself up for sale using its own site, SecondMarket. Wall Street Survivor announces the winners of the August Stock Game Giveaway. Lifehacker advises using BrightScope to analyze your 401(k) during a "financial bootcamp day." eToro wins 3 World Finance Awards. This post will be updated throughout the day as news and developments emerge. You can also follow all the alumni news headlines on the Finovate Twitter account.

Capital One Pays to Play in Zynga’s Virtual Worlds

By Jim Bruene Posted on September 28, 2011
Categories: Advertising & Promotion, Capital One, Citibank, Credit/Debit Cards, Discover Card

Like most, I've been amazed at how fast Zynga was able to build a 250+ million user base for its social games. But I'd never actually played one. Until now. So make that 250 million and one users, because I couldn't resist checking up on Capital One's new product placement in three Zynga games (more on what players could do). The bank's Facebook page, which has grown to 2.3 million likes, has details on the promotions (screenshot 1). Although, it appears I may have missed my chance to interact with the CapOne goat, Visigoth statute or a virtual branch (the promo only ran one week), there are still credit card ads and mystery gifts available, at least in Farmville, the only game I tested. Capital One viral gift & banner ads Capital One may have ended the in-game elements for now, but they still have a presence in the game.…

FinovateFall 2011 Live Twitter Transcript

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on September 28, 2011
Categories: FinovateFall 2011

Here's a transcript from Finovate's live twitter stream during FinovateFall last Tuesday and Wednesday. The entries appear in chronological order:Day 1, Session 1Here we go, Finovate number 10 starts in 10 minutes. Lots of cool tech coming! Follow the #finovate hashtag for next 2 days.Weemba is launching a "reverse lending" system that puts borrowers in control. Only lenders they authorize can contact them. LinkDemyst.Data is launching a lender predictive analytics system to grow portfolios through better segmentation. LinkGoogle is showing its new Advisor that is designed to improve the search experience for mortgages, credit cards, etc. LinkGoogle is showing how you can easily compare terms and conditions. It is inviting banks to talk to them to participate. Betterment is launching goal-based investing to its simple investing platform. LinkBetterment is showing how to create multiple goals with different asset allocations. This is a great, understandable investment UI.Segmint is launching SegmintSocial, a platform for financial institutions to interact with customers on…

FinovateFall 2011 in the Press

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on September 27, 2011
Categories: BillGuard, Cartera Commerce, CashStar, Credit Sesame, FinovateFall 2011, Rebirth Financial, Segmint, T8 Webware, TandemMoney

Here's a look at press coverage of FinovateFall last week:ABA Banking JournalHow Mobile Banking is Different from Online BankingLinkAll BusinessFinovate 2011: New Online Financial Services for Your BusinessLinkAll Things DHere's a Facebook App That's Basically a Bank by Tricia DuryeeLinkAmerican BankerTurning Fraud Complaints into Fraud Alertsby Daniel WolfeLinkHelping Banks Get Data from Consumers Who Don't Want to Shareby Daniel WolfeLinkBank Innovation 4 "Finovate" Themesby Mary WisniewskiLinkFinovateFall 2011: Demo Performance Scores and Reviewsby Mary WisniewskiLinkGetting a Financial "Grip"by Mary Wisniewski LinkStrange (and funny) Moments from Finovate by Mary Wisniewski LinkBank Systems & TechnologyFinovateFall 2011 Recap, Day Oneby Olivia LaBarreLinkDay Two Recap of FinovateFall 2011by Bryan YurcanLinkBank Technology NewsPersonal Capital Builds Self-Service Financial Portal for Mass AffluentBy John AdamsLinkStart-Ups Direct PFM at Niche Customer Segmentsby Jeremy QuittnerLinkStartup Financial Portals Target Niche Marketsby Jeremy QuittnerLinkText Too Risky? A Bank Works to Improve Security for Mobile Authenticationby Daniel WolfeLinkUsing Payments to Teach an Old Business Model New Tricksby Jeremy QuittnerLinkCelentInnovations in Mobile at…

PG&E’s Convenient Mobile Bill Payment App

By Jim Bruene Posted on September 26, 2011
Categories: Bill payment, Mobile Banking, Mobile Payments

Skimming my news feeds in the post-Finovate logjam, I flagged a news release about a new app that just landed in the Android Market (the iPhone version rolled out last December). The app allows Californians to easily pay their PG&E power bills from their mobile phone using a credit/debit card or checking/savings account. It's powered by Tio Networks. And while you'd think that three years into mobile app era, there'd be hundreds, if not thousands of similar apps, a quick search of the Apple App Store came up empty (see note 1). The app is drop-dead simple to use, as it should be (see screenshots below). The amount owed (across multiple PG&E accounts if necessary) is shown. Then, users select payment method, "sign" the screen with their finger, and submit. An email confirms the transaction. TIO levies a $1.45 transaction fee per payment (well disclosed, see second screenshot below), which…