How Banks Can Enter the Metaverse with a Purpose

6 min read
May 10, 2023 5:35:00 PM

The Metaverse is a progression of Web 2.0, the period of SMS, Web, and Mobile. 

The end consumer will benefit from more decentralized and collaborative brand experiences across a range of products and services. 

This implies that the interactions, benefits, and spending you engage in with one company or item may be used across several platforms.  

According to Bloomberg Intelligence's analysis, a significant number of businesses will join this fight by 2024, increasing the market's size to $800 billion. 

The Metaverse exists now; it is not a concept of the future. It exists right now and will keep changing as part of the the top digital transformation solutions 

Understanding the possibilities of metaverse use cases in banking requires taking a close look at the development of banks, which has led to the industry's current readiness to open a new chapter. 

TransformHub, one of the best digital transformation companies in Singapore, is here to take you through the evolution of this industry.  

The Evolution: Metaverse in the Banking Industry

The banking sector's transformation has begun with NFTs and cryptocurrencies taking center stage. 

A few banking organizations have simultaneously moved into another level, known as the metaverse. 

Let's examine the stages of the metaverse bank's evolution and the problems that led up to them. 

If you are looking for similar digital transformation services, we can guide you with a solution based on advanced technology and development.  

1. Standard banking 

It was a two-tiered banking system dominated by central banks that depended on in-person transactions with clients. 

The process was notorious for being paper-based, labor-intensive, and lacking in personalized and customized financial products. 

2. Web-based banking 

In the past ten years, the banking sector has undergone a complete digital transformation. 

It was separated into two categories: the first included digitizing current processes so that they could be accessed via mobile and the internet, and the second involved creating new customer journeys to satisfy consumers' need for a digital-first experience.  

3. Open banking  

The banking sector has made itself available to be connected with third-party services via APIs during the previous three to five years. 

This has resulted in the development of several neo-banks and cross-industry marketplace offerings by banks (such as health services, purchasing and selling automobiles, energy services, etc.).  

4. Digital banking finance 

Blockchain has given rise to a new safe, open-bordered, and quick financial industry with the arrival of Web3. 

NFTs and cryptocurrencies, which have introduced whole new assets to the financial system, such as art, gaming, and real estate, have a significant impact on this.  

Why Metaverse? 

Banking is one industry that has the potential to meet the rising demand for digitally native currency in the Metaverse. 

Additionally, Metaverse offers banks a singular chance to utilize AR/VR technologies by allowing a chance to reimagine their interactions with customers and staff. 

In a time when banking has largely become a mechanical procedure devoid of human emotion, the Metaverse enables banks to establish individualized connections and provide tailored advice. 

The following are some elements that draw banks and fintech to the Metaverse: 

1. Early-stage opportunities 

Banks and fintech have the chance to lead the market because the Metaverse is now in its early stages of development. 

2. Branding opportunities 

Banks and fintech companies may utilize the Metaverse to promote their brands. 

Additionally, consumers don't necessarily need to visit banks in the Metaverse because the majority of operations may be completed online with ease.  

However, by joining the Metaverse, banks, and fintech organizations demonstrate continued relevance and development potential, which boosts the trust of current clients while also drawing in a fresh, tech-savvy clientele. 

3. Enhanced customer service 

The absence of physical banks makes online banking services unnecessary. 

Banks have a unique chance to provide virtual face-to-face human services in a transformative and more individualized way because of the Metaverse. 

4. Digital currencies 

Banks and fintech companies can easily access the realm of cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and other digital assets, thanks to the Metaverse. 

Opportunities in the Metaverse for Banks 

Banks must first identify any existing Metaverse users who may become their clients.  

Understanding their requirements and meeting those needs might take a long time when providing financial services. 

It is hardly surprising that the demand for virtual property means that real estate is flourishing in the Metaverse. 

Offering loans and utilizing mortgage services to people wishing to invest in real estate has an obvious advantage. 

Young users are eager to use the Metaverse marketplace because they are interested in art, games, and entertainment. 

There is potential to provide them with services like loans, depository account creation, financial planning, and much more. 

Customers are encouraged to utilize AR/VR devices by banks to check their account balances, make payments, transfer money, and conduct other financial transactions. 

Throughout the customer journey, banks have the chance to reconnect with consumers and build lasting connections. 

Banks will be able to provide services like ATM withdrawals, money deposits, and communicating with representatives for assistance and guidance that are now available in the real world. 

Clients will be able to move their data back and forth and examine their accounts in 3D, much like a little report. 

Get Ready for the Metaverse 

Finally, banking professionals need to familiarize themselves with the Metaverse's operation, scope, and expertise. 

A market with an $800 billion value cannot be ignored. 

So, training in the Metaverse is required for banking personnel as part of the best digital transformation solutions in the rising era of technology. 

Executives in banking must see this opportunity and get ready to enter the Metaverse market.  

While other businesses, like gaming, are fully developed, we are already seeing some footprints entering the market. 

Benefits Of Metaverse in Banking 

A variety of advantages exist for traditional banking in the metaverse. benefits that open up new financing methods in addition to influencing the customer experience.  

1. Enhancement of current 3D capabilities  

Several banks have begun educating their staff on VR since 47% of bankers believe that AR/VR will be a viable alternative to current transaction channels by 2030. 

For its 50,000 workers, Bank of America, for instance, has created a VR training program that simulates actual client scenarios. 

Enabling 3D customer and staff experiences will provide banks access to more advanced solutions that will allow them to reach out to a new target market and build their dominance.  

Here are a few advantages of 3D for banks, to sum up.  

a. Metaverse banking 

Provide consumers with the opportunity to monitor their balance, pay invoices, and transfer funds via AR/VR platforms.  

b. Employee experiences 

Foster a sense of community among remote workers as they are onboarded and provide an immersive learning environment through simulated client scenarios.  

2. Many forms of consumer involvement  

Institutions have the chance to reevaluate how they connect with clients and how they may use avatars to provide sympathetic service when they engage in banking in the metaverse.  

This is how the metaverse will impact financial services. 

a. Connecting with consumers on a personal level 

In the metaverse, banks may provide high-touch service by offering their clients a virtual glimpse into their portfolios and expense revenue, holding virtual financial planning meetings, and making well-thought-out product suggestions.  

b. Brand extension 

By simulating actions like ATM cash withdrawals, branch placement and architecture, and more, banks may extend their real experience in the virtual world. 

Customers would feel more connected to the bank as a result.  

c. New product potential 

As the Metaverse expands, so will the related technologies and products like cryptocurrency, NFTs, and other virtual items. 

In the Metaverse, banks can provide services like loans (particularly for virtual property) and take NFTs as security. 

Banks can also facilitate NFT payments by setting up specific NFT exchange locations in the Metaverse. 

By guaranteeing, securing, and/or lending against cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and other assets, banks in the Metaverse can also expand their position to act as custodians of their client's assets. 

Another use case that bankers and other financial companies might investigate is the introduction of mutual funds of NFTs. 

d. Immersive & personalized customer experience 

Using the Metaverse, banks may provide a largely immersive, round-the-clock banking experience. 

Personalized financial advice may be given, for instance, through financial planning meetings, virtual portfolio assessments, and mortgage product suggestions. 

e. Training & education 

The Metaverse is a fantastic tool for banks to use in employee training and education. 

Banks may teach staff and educate the public about finances by simulating real-world clients in their virtual branches. 

Additionally, banks could be able to educate the younger generation on sound financial practices and lending procedures. 

This increases their ability to retain customers and foster loyalty. 

The Metaverse Banking of the Future 

The banking industry is on the verge of a new decade of digital upheaval, thanks to the Metaverse. 

So, banks in the Metaverse may flourish enormously by recreating client connections via individualized and intensely emotional engagements. 

Metaverse banking is simply an improvement over online banking. because it makes it easier for customers to get the same financial services in a much more unique and interesting way.  

For banks and fintech companies, this is a pivotal time to adapt digital transformation solutions. 

Banks that are looking to provide their clients with an immersive experience, the location is ideal. 

The road forward should involve working with fintech organizations and developing a significant plan. 

Summary 

Banking is about to undergo a digital change that has never been witnessed before. 

Fintech's metaverse is much more than just a development in technology that will provide new revenue streams. 

It is a platform that banks may make use of to engage with their clients emotionally and personally in a new setting.  

What banks do today will determine how receptive they are to digitization, especially given that some of the top banks in the world have already entered the metaverse. 

Banks that don't take the lead now will have to compete for space in other ecosystems. 

We can assist you as you enter the space right away. 

Get in touch with our experts of blockchain and fintech specialists right away and avail the best digital transformation services.