The Pioneering Journey of UnionBank’s Globally Recognized Digital Banking App
When White Cloak won the U:HAC competition hosted by UnionBank in 2016, the UnionBank executives entrusted their UnionBank Online Banking project to White Cloak, who replaced an internationally renowned vendor that specialized in banking apps. The client experienced frustration because, even after nine months, the previous vendor still wasn’t able to deliver a product that’s aligned with their vision.
Facing the challenge of re-doing the entire app, White Cloak Technologies accepted the task. Despite the complexity of UnionBank’s vision, White Cloak completed the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for the UnionBank Online App in an industry-defying four months, showcasing agility and technical prowess.
This transition marked a turning point, highlighting White Cloak’s ability to meet challenging timelines while delivering exceptional results. The successful completion of the MVP positioned UnionBank on a trajectory of digital innovation and success.
| Service | Tech Stack | Methodology | Number of Downloads (as of 4 December 2023) | Average App Rating (as of 4 December 2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
App development |
Native iOS, Native Android, ReactJS, Java Spring |
Agile Scrum |
Over 10M downloads |
4.2 Stars after 112k ratings |
Scope of Work
- Design
- Development
- Testing
- Deployment
- Ongoing feature improvements
Challenges Faced
| Problems | Solutions |
|---|---|
|
Incremental migration of existing users |
Implemented a two-month coexistence period on Playstore/App Store, prompting users to download the new app during login on the old app and initiating the migration process. |
|
Updating user details/profiles across multiple channels |
Established three channels (app, customer hotline, branches), interconnected to a middleware layer directly linked to Finacle, the UB core banking system, allowing customers to update their details seamlessly. |
|
Transition of customers from previous application |
Executed a carefully planned transition strategy to ensure a smooth shift for customers, building on the incremental migration approach. |
|
Challenges in translating mobile app branding elements seamlessly in the UX/UI design |
Applied meticulous attention to ensure a smooth and coherent translation of mobile app branding elements, maintaining a consistent user experience and interface design. |
|
Delays in API availability from third-party vendors |
Implemented an extensive API planning process, documenting requirements, request bodies, parameters, and responses. Shared this document with vendors to enable parallel development, ensuring a seamless connection upon API readiness. |
Key Features
- MVP Features
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
- Registration
- Via Card Number
- Via Account Number
- Via Loans Account Number
- Fund Transfer
- To Own Account
- To Another UBP Account
- Via Instapay
- Via PESONet
- Bills Payment
- Buy Load
- Update Profile
- Dashboard
- Post MVP Features
- Credit Card
- Activate Card
- Convert to Installment
- Balance Transfer
- Card Controls
- Loyalty Points
- Branch Visit
- Check Deposit
- QR Code (Scan/Pay)
- Goals
- Forex
- PFM (Personal Finance Management)
- UITF
- Remittance
- Insurance Marketplace
- Credit Card
User Feedback
Results and Achievements
In a remarkable timeline of achievements, the UnionBank Online App witnessed a swift evolution from its MVP release within the initial three months to an internal release after six months. Surpassing expectations, the app achieved a public release milestone within the first year of development. The crowning moment came with the app being honored as the prestigious “#1 Digital Banking App of the Year” in 2018, a testament to its rapid success, user acceptance, and industry recognition. They then went on to become the only digital banking app to win the award 4 years in a row until 2021.
