EPAM Continuum Releases 2020 Consumer Banking Report Offering Insights Into Evolving Customer Behaviors, Expectations & Motivations

NEWTOWN, Pa., Sept. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- EPAM Continuum, the integrated business, technology, and experience consulting practice of EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE: EPAM), today announced the release of its Consumer Banking Report 2020. Surveying 4,500 people across key banking regions including the United Kingdom, the United States, Hong Kong and Singapore, the report explores evolving behaviors, expectations and motivations, with key findings suggesting that, despite recent innovations in financial services, the fundamental behavioral drivers of customers remain largely unchanged. For any radical change to happen, banks need to become more ubiquitous and have the ability to seamlessly integrate with the platforms and services that make up their customers' personal digital ecosystem in order to bring banking to them – not the other way around.

"Whether you're a FinTech challenger or an established global bank, or a Neobank, the landscape for finance has undeniably transformed, and with it, so have customer expectations," says Panos Archondakis, Global Head, Banking & Wealth Management, EPAM Systems. "From developing new FinTech brands to helping transform existing global banking platforms, EPAM has been at the center of one of the most exciting periods of change this industry has known. And if that experience has taught us anything, it's that the biggest changes are yet to come."

In the report, EPAM paints a rich and detailed picture of today's banking customers and highlights key emerging themes, including:

1. Building and Maintaining Trust Is Everything.
   
   Key findings show that an overwhelming majority, 82%, are satisfied with their traditional banks. Only 4% of respondents are "slightly unhappy," with just 1% "extremely unhappy." While COVID-19 has had a strong impact on customer attitudes, with 50% of customers reassessing their banking needs in response to the pandemic, it has not influenced behaviors with customers behaving cautiously during this period of uncertainty and risk. While this is a strong indicator of the significant challenges ahead for neobanks, opportunities abound.
    
2. For Potential Switchers, Customer Experience Is Key – Not King.
   
   Despite paving the way for so much innovation, neobanks have yet to penetrate the market in a meaningful way and, as a result, face significant challenges in sustaining growth. According to EPAM's survey, only 3% of all respondents use a neobank as their sole account—not in combination with other banks—whereas 14% use it in combination with one or more banks, with 5% of those using their neobank as the primary account.
   
   "EPAM's findings present clear implications for neobanks, which are often focused on customer experience to differentiate and attract new customers," says panelist Stessa Cohen, a former Gartner analyst, and current independent analyst, and member of the Analyst Syndicate, advising banking software businesses and Fintechs on strategy and positioning. "While customer experience is important, it is not enough. Neobanks must target those 'hidden tribes' of customers who are not only open to switching banks, but also are more likely to be swayed by financial benefits or a hassle-free switching experience."
    
3. Banks Should Focus on Offering Value-Added Services to Support Everyday Needs.
   
   For those who would consider switching banks, more than half of respondents would be tempted by value-add benefits, such as good interest rates, a sign-up bonus, cashback, or insurance. Developing a resonant brand and creating a strong customer experience are important elements of a competitive banking proposition, but they alone won't be enough to convert customers at scale. Banks that find a way to support and facilitate people's lives in meaningful and purposefully differentiated ways will be well-placed to outperform the competition and drive sustained growth.
    
4. Banking Services need to be integrated with Customers' Go-To-Channels
   
   Our survey shows that there is an openness to innovation, especially across certain age groups, with 40% of 18- 44-year-olds open to banking through social platforms and intelligent assistants. It is not such a big leap for banks to consider meeting people where they spend most of their time—on social media. In addition to creating the right products and services, they need to be offered and consumed with minimal friction. This means having a strong and visible presence in the channels where banks' target customer segments are already active. The future is ubiquitous banking: bringing banking to the customer – not the other way around.

EPAM's research uncovered five audience segments based on key behavior patterns and summarizes the motivations, attitudes, needs and expectations for each segment.  These research insights will help the banking industry better understand the evolving needs of their customers and how to better serve them.

To access the full report, visit: www.epam.com/2020-banking-report 

EPAM Breakfast Briefing Webinar - Consumer Banking Landscape 2020: Only Radical Disruption Will Bring Radical Change

Join EPAM and a panel of banking industry experts on Wednesday, October 14, to find out how banks can respond to EPAM's Consumer Banking Report.

Hosted by Olivia Minnock, Editor, Fintech Alliance, the session will help you to gain a better understanding of evolving customer behaviors and attitudes to the current banking landscape. The panel will discuss how insights from the report will drive digital banking into the future and how you can use the findings to better serve the needs of your customers. Register here to reserve your spot.

About EPAM Systems
Since 1993, EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE: EPAM) has leveraged its software engineering expertise to become a leading global product development, digital platform engineering, and top digital and product design agency. Through its 'Engineering DNA' and innovative strategy, consulting, and design capabilities, EPAM works in collaboration with its customers to deliver next-gen solutions that turn complex business challenges into real business outcomes. EPAM's global teams serve customers in more than 30 countries across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. As a recognized market leader in multiple categories among top global independent research agencies, EPAM was one of only four technology companies to appear on Forbes 25 Fastest Growing Public Tech Companies list every year of publication since 2013 and was the only IT services company featured on Fortune's 100 Fastest-Growing Companies list of 2019. Learn more at www.epam.com and follow us on Twitter @EPAMSYSTEMS and LinkedIn.

EPAM Continuum is EPAM's service brand for integrated business, experience and technology consulting focused on accelerating breakthrough ideas into meaningful impact. Learn more at www.epam.com/epam-continuum and follow us on LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes statements which may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the accuracy of which are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied include general economic conditions and the factors discussed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. EPAM undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

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SOURCE EPAM Systems, Inc.

Amber Rasmussen, O: +1-971-337-9648, Amber_Rasmussen@epam.com