When I was growing up, there was a lot that frightened me. Walking from the living room to the kitchen in the pitch black, not being able to sleep before I was tucked up in bed to scare off the ghosts and monsters, I even had a fear of dogs. Being fearless wasn’t something that was instilled into me as a child, but something I grew out of as I got older. Even though I don’t fear the dark anymore, or believe in ghosts, there are a still a few things that I still do fear, like certain types of dogs and heights. While I am not as bad as I used to be with dogs, I learned the only way I was going to get over this fear was to expose myself to situations that involved dogs and it worked. Heights is still a major one for me, but I will never turn down a challenge to slowly overcome it, igniting my new found fearless spirit. Many people may mock my fears, especially as an adult, but these are my personal fears. I know a lot of others that have more “everyday” fears that I may not, like using internet banking or using other data driven apps.
Many millennials have been told by older generations (parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles) that technology should not be trusted, especially when it comes to your personal details and money matters. And new research from NatWest has shown that more than one in ten Millennials (25-34) say they are missing out on the benefits of using apps because they don’t have the confidence or knowledge to use them.With technology nowadays moving at the speed of light, there are many changes pointing to the digital era and we are all slowly being encouraged to move with the times too. Being a fashion forward society, many of us are comfortable using finance-linked apps for our shopping, so why are we so afraid of using technology for our everyday finance management?
Just like many of you may be apprehensive about using your mobiles to handle your finances, I faced my fears and accepted a challenge from NatWest to go around a Go Ape course, something I’ve always put off doing. The thought of having to step across small pieces of wood, bound by ropes at great heights makes me weak at the knees. But, I took one for the team. Just how I’m trying to break down my barriers, NatWest is doing the exact same thing as they help customers build their confidence in adopting digital ways of banking.
Just like when I took my first steps on the Go Ape course, every muscle within my body was tense and trembling in absolute fear. Over time, the more I progressed through the course, the more relaxed and comfortable I became, especially when I realised I couldn’t go very far when securely supported by my harness. NatWest is doing the same, they are the harness of the banking world, taking your hand and guiding you across that rocky, wooden bridge from banking at your local branch to online and mobile banking.
As part of this, NatWest has tech savvy staff called TechXperts who are based within branches to support and help you take the leap to mobile banking. They are there at every step of the way, ready to answer any questions and do 15 minute step-by-step tutorials until you get comfortable with mobile banking. While the transition is in play, NatWest also understands that with fewer branches to access, people may need some banking support and now have 89 Community Bankers locally available to you. Available in selected areas, Community Bankers are qualified bankers that are able to come to places that are convenient for you for face-to-face meetings, whether that is in a library, at a place of work, a social club, leisure centres or your local coffee shop. With NatWest’s research also revealing that 79% of people still prefer face-to-face contact to solve a complex issue, this is part of NatWest’s mission to offer tailored services that best suit your lifestyle and banking needs.
TechXperts and Community Bankers know the general barriers most people have when it comes to mobile banking, but they don’t know what it feels like, so they stepped into my shoes., I was joined by TechXpert Charles and Community Banker Rachel on the Go Ape course and by the end they had a clear understanding as to my fears, but together we supported each other around the course. As I encouraged them both to take on my challenge, I was given a mobile banking challenge with a series of tasks to complete. I was actually quite surprised how easy the NatWest app was to use and it can certainly make it a lot easier to deal with finances day to day. I think my favourite feature was the “Get Cash” feature, where if you had forgotten your card at home or you’re going on a night out and are worried you might lose your card, you can withdraw cash using the app. I bet you’re wondering how? Well, if you use the feature and select a cash amount you want to withdraw from your account via the app (limits apply), you’re given a five-digit code that you can enter at any NatWest cash machine by double clicking the ‘Enter’ button, entering the unique code and the amount that was originally requested to withdraw via the app and voila! Clever, right?! Best of all, the app is extremely secure with various security codes, facial and fingerprint recognition features, which makes it super safe to manage your money. The app has specific eligibility criteria, as does facial and fingerprint recognition features.
I faced my fears and felt so accomplished. Now, it is your turn to face yours. Let NatWest support your journey from banking at your local branch to banking on your mobile from the comfort of your own home. You’ll be thankful for it on those cold, wet wintery days.
Until next time…
