?? Sex, Space, and Digital ROI: The Next-Gen Frontier of Financial Experience

This might be the wildest newsletter we’ve ever published! Packed with groundbreaking insights on UX and financial product design, it’s a must-read for anyone serious about the future of banking.

Empathy is key. As financial UX experts, we care deeply about our clients and the end users, but let’s face it—sometimes it’s time to shake things up.

The emotional side of banking — where dreams are challenging, confusion is unexpected, and decisions are irreversible — is where digital ecosystems require a special approach. And it’s not just about technology like AI or mobile; it’s about designing meaningful interactions.

Imagine perfectly aligning product UX design with long-term digital strategy, business goals, and customer needs in ways that drive ROI and future-proof growth. That’s where the magic happens.

And don’t be afraid to look out of the financial box. Inspiration comes from the bold and fearless: sex, space, and anything filled with passion, power, and love. Time to create financial experiences that aren’t just efficient, but unforgettable. Are you ready?

I'm Alex Kreger from the financial UX design agency UXDA . Welcome to this exclusive newsletter to stay up-to-date with the next-gen product UX design in the banking and fintech industry. If you have a challenge – let us know >>

Emirates NBD Case Study: Driving ROI with Strategic UX in Middle East Banking

In the UAE (United Arab Emirates), where future-driven innovation is a way of life, Emirates NBD conquered an ultimate challenge. When this Dubai-based banking powerhouse faced the relentless demands of an increasingly digital world, the bank knew it needed more than just incremental change—it needed a bold transformation. Emirates NBD challenged the UXDA team to increase digital ROI by designing a seamless, highly personalized digital experience that goes beyond traditional banking and meets the high expectations of Dubai’s tech-savvy population.

This case study delves into how the strategic UX approach transformed Emirates NBD’s digital ecosystem, setting a new standard of excellence for digital banking worldwide and solidifying the Emirates NBD brand’s position as a leader in the Middle East financial industry.

This is the first such detailed case study revealing the behind-the-scenes of strategic UX in the digital transformation of a first-tier bank. Don't miss it!

Explore the full case study >>

Lesson from NASA: Don't Let Bank Customers Get Stuck in Space

NASA made a tough call on August 24, 2024: it was too risky to bring two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, back from the International Space Station (ISS) in Boeing’s troubled new capsule. Instead, the astronauts will have to wait until February 2025 to return with SpaceX. What was supposed to be an eight-day test flight has now stretched into eight months.

As we see, Boeing, a long-standing leader in aerospace, finds itself increasingly outpaced by SpaceX, a newer, more agile competitor. Despite its deep expertise, Boeing is hindered by legacy systems and bureaucratic processes that slow down innovation. SpaceX, starting from scratch, embraced a culture of innovation and risk-taking, allowing it to achieve significant milestones, such as the development of reusable rockets, more quickly than Boeing.

This struggle between Boeing and SpaceX serves as a powerful analogy for what’s happening in the banking sector today. Traditional banks—like Boeing in space—could face challenges in the new, digital environment that is rapidly redefining the financial industry.

To shift from a "Boeing" approach to a "SpaceX" innovative approach, traditional banks and financial companies need to undergo a fundamental transformation in both their mindset and operations. Based on UXDA's experience collaborating on the design of over 150 financial products in 37 countries, we have identified 10 key differences in "SpaceX" approach and specific actions to take.

How to Shift Your Approach From "Boeing" to "SpaceX" >>

Could Your Financial App Scare Users Away? Here’s How to Find Out

A banking app with poor UX is more than just a frustration—it's a business risk. By continuously researching, testing and refining your app, you can create an experience that not only meets but exceeds user expectations. This proactive approach will not only retain existing customers but also attract new ones, setting your bank apart in a crowded market.

The stakes of UX in banking aren’t static—they’re rising. With the rapid evolution of technology, what was cutting-edge yesterday is outdated today. Banks that rest on their laurels, satisfied with a “good enough” app, are setting themselves up for failure. Innovation isn’t optional; it’s the new standard.

Think of your UX like a garden. You wouldn’t expect your plants to thrive if you only water them once, would you? The same goes for your digital products. User needs, market trends and technological capabilities are in constant flux. Ignoring this reality is akin to letting your garden wither and die.

Financial brands that will thrive in the digital era will be those that understand the dynamic nature of user needs. A regular UX check-up allows banks and other financial companies to stay in tune with their customers’ evolving expectations.?

Read the full story to find out if your financial app needs a UX revamp ASAP >>

Unlocking Emotions in Finance: What Banking and Sex Have in Common

Sex and money stir the deepest passions, ignite the most heated debates, and influence our choices in profound ways, but what do they have in common? These are undoubtedly two of the most powerful and emotional topics that shape our world.

Universal, transcending cultures and economies, and yet they remain intensely personal. What links them is their ability to evoke powerful emotions—desire, fear, love, and power.

When it comes to creating financial services, it's critical to recognize that money is not just a means of exchange or a store of value. For most people, it represents security, freedom, status, and even love. These emotional associations mean that financial decisions are rarely just about numbers—they're about our deepest fears and desires.

As we design financial products and services, we must account for the emotional aspect of money management. Understanding that digital users are not just managing finances, but their hopes, dreams, and sometimes their fears, is key to delivering services that truly resonate.

Financial institutions that grasp this emotional connection and incorporate it into their customer experiences are the ones that will truly stand out in today’s competitive landscape. In a world where money touches every aspect of our lives, those who serve it with empathy will lead the way.

Read the full story in Forbes to find out how we can design for emotions >>

How Much Does Best UX in Banking Cost and Why

In many cases, banks spend nothing on UX and design, relying on vendors’ white-label design. And yes, it’s possible to deliver a bank app design for $50,000 by adapting a $100 UI template to the basic functionality and bank’s colors. But the real question is: who is ready to invest millions in digital transformation and innovative service infrastructure to deliver it to customers through a $50,000 copycat UI design?

So, the real truth is that a financial digital product isn't just another delivery channel anymore for modern customers, it's the bank itself. Nowadays, the financial digital product encompasses various services and heavily influences the customer experience, brand perception and market position. Properly designing a user experience for this digital product is not a simple task. It requires extensive research, testing, iterations and a deep understanding of user experience and financial technology.

For a billion-dollar banking or financial business with millions in profits, skimping on the design of its main product is perplexing. Saving on financial product UX design and architecture is like participating in Formula 1 with a $30,000 Toyota Corolla and expecting it to compete with $15 million race cars. Both are vehicles, both have wheels, an engine, a steering wheel and a brake. But these cars serve vastly different purposes and are designed with different expertise and materials. For the Formula 1 team, their tailor-made sports car is their business, and they constantly invest in competitive advantages, fighting to win by even one more second.

Find out what are the main risks of generalized approach in financial services design >>