IBM Helps ING DIRECT Canada Apply Smarter Commerce Approach to Consumer Banking

ING DIRECT Canada, a wholly owned subsidiary of Scotiabank, is reportedly leveraging IBM (News - Alert) software and services to apply a smarter commerce approach to consumer banking, which in turn will improve the bank’s customer experience, including simplified account access across mobile devices and social media channels, voice recognition and advanced security.

Charaka Kithulegoda, CIO at ING DIRECT Canada remarked, “There is a seismic shift in what is happening in financial services. Mobile banking is changing not only how people bank, but also what they expect from their banks and, ultimately, whom they choose to bank with. ING DIRECT, with IBM’s help, is committed to making banking simpler, engaging and more relevant by giving customers the easy tools they need to bank whenever, wherever and however they want.”

ING DIRECT recently launched the ‘Orange Snapshot – ING DIRECT’ Facebook (News - Alert) app that provides clients a secure and relevant way to interact with their bank accounts using the same concepts and features that are available throughout Facebook.

ING DIRECT has reportedly implemented several features to ensure that its clients’ accounts are secure when it comes to mobile and social banking.

IBM’s Smarter Commerce initiative is said to be designed for helping businesses better connect with the rising tide of digital consumers who prefer to buy online, and via mobile and social channels. IBM claimed that banks that employ its smarter commerce approach are emerging as the leaders in today’s industry, as they shift away from product-oriented services and silos, and toward offering personalized client-centric services.

Kevin Custis, IBM’s global leader for mobility services stated, “From online to mobile to social banking, ING DIRECT Canada has led the Canadian financial services industry in connecting with clients through new channels. IBM has become an essential partner in helping ING DIRECT build a flexible and scalable online and mobile infrastructure that enables the bank to support new devices and other digital channels while responding to changing customer demands.”

With IBM’s help, ING DIRECT is releasing new mobile innovations in an effort to make consumer banking available anytime, anywhere.