A time for disruption in a changing landscape

The financial sector is experiencing unprecedented change. Fintech has emerged to disrupt an industry that has traditionally organised its customers around experiences, to the benefit of the organisation.

The financial sector is experiencing unprecedented change. New emergent services are disrupting an industry that has traditionally organised its customers around experiences, to the benefit of the organisation.

The open banking (PSD2) directive is forcing change by getting banks to open up their data, which creates new opportunities for the way customers experience and interact with their money. Although until now we tend to stay with our bank for life — over 80% of us bank with the big 5 (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, Santander or Royal Bank of Scotland) — this may be about to change. 

The drive in the industry to become truly customer focused is palpable, with new services and propositions appearing that are changing the way people bank. A place to play for start-ups and fresh opportunities for established financial organisations.

From start-ups to global companies

Since 2011, ELSE has worked across the breadth of financial services, helping established organisations reinvent themselves and newcomers find their way.

$500

Billion

The projected value of the digital advice market in 2020

In 2017 UBS launched SmartWealth – democratising access to the world’s best wealth advisor. We helped UBS conceive, concept and deliver SmartWealth to a new audience and leverage the huge capabilities UBS has to offer.

Changing peoples relationship with their money

In 2011 we were asked by Russian 4G Telco, Yota, to conceive and develop a completely new branchless bank and payment service for Russia. In effect, Round aimed to redesign the experience of money. The project set out to improve the day-to-day experience of transacting, reviewing payments, budgeting and lending money to friends all whilst remaining in control of personal finances.

£4.8

Trillion

Amount locked up in the UK property market.

We helped HiP to realise their vision to allow everyone access to this. HiP uses blockchain technology to run a decentralised trading exchange that unlocks the closed loop between property owners and financial institutions.

Streamlined alternatives to traditional banking

Zhuck is a disruptive service helping Russian entrepreneurs take better control of their business finances. With over 1,000 banks servicing small and medium businesses — competition is fierce, yet customer service and satisfaction levels are low.

 

ELSE teamed up with NB Studio to design the proposition for entrepreneurs, accountants, managers and investors to bring clarity on their daily business finances.

£755

Million

The cost of financial fraud in 2015

An increase of 26% compared to 2014. Pay by Bank App by Mastercard (formerly Vocalink) is a way of managing payments, that offers a secure and easy way to pay on your mobile phone, via your trusted banking app. We helped design the product, as well as it’s positioning to retailers and consumers.

Helping people get out of financial difficulty

Oakam help people who can’t get credit through high street banks and put them on the path to restoration. We helped Oakam identify new opportunities for their customers and create a framework and strategy for restorative lending.

From incubation to market-ready

Our approach is always consumer-led, strategic and commercially-focussed – balancing business objectives with user needs, while maintaining a view of the landscape into which the service is to launch.

We employ a range of practical techniques and lean methodologies, not only to create compelling end-user experiences, but also to ensure stakeholder alignment and coordination of input from across the business.

Building capability and delivering solutions with you

Our work in Financial Services calls for working in close quarters with our clients, often within their business, to drive change. 

When it comes to prototyping a new digital service, the space to breathe in the formative stages of the project is hugely important. Something often best done in a neutral environment. Our studio is the perfect space for incubation, a ready-made innovation lab. Working with innovation teams we unlock new product ideas and quickly measure their validity with users and businesses.

Once the service is funded and is being designed in detail; before it becomes fully operational, it’s really important this is seen and experienced as part of the business. This is where co-location becomes important, so the business gets to breathe the same air as the new proposition and benefit from its development.

We believe in partnership with our clients and that good design is a team sport — meaning collaboration from the start. We work with tech teams to plan, develop, test and QA the solution in a fluent agile methodology.

Some of our work in financial services

  

  

Awards