The Future of Banking: Innovative, Eco-Friendly, and Digital
About ten years ago, the tech landscape was very different. Mobile payments were just starting to emerge, with only a handful of apps offering them. As we approach 2025, it's important to reflect on how various sectors will continue to evolve over the next decade, particularly with the growth of artificial intelligence. Juan Carlos Arroyo, the Director of Digital Channels at Banco Azteca, points out that the relationship between financial institutions' processes and their interactions with customers will be closely tied to artificial intelligence, which has been evolving over time.
In this context, tools are being explored and analyzed to assist bank operators and product designers in developing new solutions or enhancing existing ones. Arroyo is optimistic about the future and recalls that the launch of a spreadsheet program (Excel) years ago was a significant change that made various tasks easier. He is convinced that the future will bring even more innovations. While banking users will increasingly be digital, with services better tailored to their needs, it is also anticipated that they will become more aware of the environmental impact of their consumption habits. For this reason, banks are now offering eco-friendly financing options, where transparency is key. During his remarks at the Expansión Summit 2024: Mexico of the Future, Arroyo mentioned that younger generations will want companies to align with their values. He indicated that investment portfolios will be a key factor, allowing clients in the next decade to diversify their resources into projects that resonate with their environmental and social concerns.
“What gives me the most peace of mind is seeing the young people who will be the customers of the future (today they are 15, 16, or 17 years old), seeing them committed to their environment, their community, and knowledge, assures us that the world will be in the hands of those who seek to make technology a partnership,” he concluded. Finally, when asked if cash will still be in circulation in the next decade, Arroyo pointed out that both the public and private sectors in Mexico are joining forces to reduce its use; however, he emphasized the need for government policies to support this goal.
In conclusion, the future of banking will be marked not only by advanced technology and convenience but also by greater social and environmental responsibility. Adapting to new trends will be crucial, and financial institutions that manage to connect with the values of the new generations will likely be one step ahead in this ever-evolving world.
