With dynamic changes transforming how consumers interact with their banking institutions - mobile technology has become key to increased accessibility in terms of interaction and efficiency. As such, the banking industry has begun integrating digital mobile solutions to provide a superior customer experience.

To fully benefit from this transformation, the bank needs to provide mobile solutions that are fast, secure, and mobile. By utilising the Samsung Galaxy devices, banks will be able to take advantage of the Galaxy ecosystem and its suite of accompanying technology to seamlessly collaborate between devices, enabling them to provide an elevated banking experience that is beneficial across the sector.

Today, customers expect quick and personalised service where they can get the solutions they need without greatly disrupting their busy schedules. In a world becoming increasingly mobile and hyperconnected, implementing mobile solutions has become a necessity.

Smartwatches are one mobile solution that branch employees can use for an improved banking experience. Smartwatches, such as the Samsung Galaxy Watch5, can receive alerts about upcoming appointments, customer details, and other pertinent information to facilitate a more personalised customer experience.

With smartwatch alerts providing branch employees with a customer’s information and appointment details, those stationed near the entrance can greet said customers directly, starting their journey off right and making the banking experience feel more personable. In addition, after greeting the customer and confirming the appointment details, branch employees can quickly escort them to the designated person or station, creating a quick and frictionless process.

Yet, while branch employees take advantage of mobile solutions such as the Galaxy Watch5 to offer improved customer service at the point of first contact, it is the branch’s network of interconnected smartwatches which offers significant value to the branch manager. With branch employees spread throughout the retail bank, and with the branch manager constantly on the move, the Galaxy Watch5 provides a vital communications link between staff and management¹.

Instead of branch employees searching for the branch manager, which can be time-consuming, they can easily reach their manager whenever they need support, such as an override, by simply sending a text from their Galaxy Watch5. Additionally, branch employees, including the manager, can initiate communication with each other or the entire team with the smartwatch’s voice dictation command to quickly and clearly relay important information.

In countries such as Thailand, the establishment of bank branches could prove financially and logistically difficult in rural areas. Unable to access a bank means many people living in rural areas are either unbanked or underbanked as they cannot receive the banking solutions they need.

By mobilising employees and equipping them with durable devices, retail banks can take the initiative by proactively visiting customers who require banking solutions but are unable to access them due to various reasons outside their control. Furthermore, by using durable devices, employees can carry out their tasks as if they were at their physical bank.

Devices like the Galaxy Tab S8 and Galaxy S22 Ultra are designed to ensure they can survive everyday hazards. With an armour aluminium body and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, both devices are better protected from drops and scratches. Additionally, with the Galaxy S22 Ultra's IP68² rating, employees will be confident knowing that wherever they travel, it is protected against dust, dirt, and water.

For harsher conditions, employees can utilise rugged devices , such as the Galaxy XCover6 Pro and Galaxy Tab Active4 Pro to get the job done. Both devices are MIL-STD-810H³ compliant ensuring better survivability when exposed to extreme temperatures, shock, and humidity. In addition, they also have an IP68² rating, protecting them from conditions while travelling to remote outdoor areas.

Retail banks adopting the Galaxy ecosystem will not only empower branches but will also empower branch employees operating in a hybrid work environment by giving them the means to work on tasks across different devices, whether they are in the office or operating remotely.

For branch employees equipped with Galaxy devices, such as the Galaxy S22, Z Fold4 and Tab S8, switching between devices while working on a task will be seamless. For instance, a branch employee could sit down at their workstation with a customer, but instead of transitioning from their Galaxy device to a PC, they can simply connect their device to a large display with Samsung DeX ⁴. This enables them to access all the information and apps they have on their mobile device while allowing the customer to see pertinent information on a larger screen.

Yet, how does seamless connectivity work when branch employees need to collaborate on a task while working remotely? With features such as Quick Share, an employee working remotely can share files, photos, and videos across devices for frictionless collaboration between branch employees.  

As countries continue to develop and prosper, they inevitably become prime targets for cybercriminals looking to exploit vulnerabilities. These threats have targeted a number of sectors, including the region’s financial institutions with new, sophisticated attacks. Cyber threats, such as ransomware attacks, have proven to wreak havoc on banks and their customers, it is of the utmost importance that retail banks have robust security in place.

Fortunately, all Galaxy devices come equipped with Samsung Knox, a mobile security platform that protects every layer of the device from the chip up. With a holistic security suite, devices are protected from internal and external threats straight out of the box, meaning whether branch employees work from home or the branch, their devices and the data contained used for mobile banking within are protected.

Knowing their devices are protected from the latest threats, branch employees and managers can confidently explain to wary customers how their data is being safeguarded from cyber threats. Thus helping to alleviate any concerns and giving customers peace of mind.

Additionally, further security measures such as biometric authentication and two-factor verification can be incorporated by retail banks into their fleet of devices to ensure only authorised branch employees can access sensitive files and other confidential data. As biometric authentication comes in-built with Galaxy devices, branch employees can use the added security layer to protect branch and customer data by configuring devices to only recognise their biometric prints.

Device management is another important aspect to ensure Galaxy devices are used properly and running nominally. With Galaxy Enterprise Edition, branch IT managers are given the tools they need to deploy, manage and analyse their device fleet efficiently.

With up to 5 years of regular, consistent security maintenance patches to ensure devices are safe from threats⁵, retail banks and their customers can be confident knowing that their data is safe with the most up-to-date protections. Additionally, Enterprise Edition devices come with a 2-year product lifecycle, giving IT admins the assurance that the same devices will still be available for purchase after running trials and app compatibility tests. 

Furthermore, Galaxy Enterprise Edition comes bundled with 1-year of Knox Suite, providing customers with an all-in-one solution to solve complex mobility requirements. Knox Suite offers IT managers a comprehensive tool that allows them to enrol thousands of devices, effortlessly control device features, and manage OS versions all remotely⁵. In addition, devices that are lost or stolen can be wiped clean ensuring sensitive data is not compromised.

With a host of features for enterprises to take advantage of, the Galaxy ecosystem powered by Samsung Knox helps banks navigate the disruptions that have affected the wider banking industry enabling branches and their customers to lead on the latest mobile solutions to improve the overall mobile banking and banking experience quickly, safely and intelligently. 

Explore the Galaxy ecosystem today!