Digital banking on the rise: PwC

MANILA, Philippines - Bank customers will mainly operate their accounts using digital systems by 2015 as younger consumers drive demand for mobile and computer platforms, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) said. Digital banking could prove a significant source of revenue for banks as most consumers say they’re willing to pay as much as 10 pounds ($15.29) a month for the service. Social media notifications, electronically-protected loyalty cards and tailored financial services are popular draws for customers mostly in their teens and 20s. “Banks are clearly missing a trick if they don’t start to invest in their digital offerings and only see digital as a way to reduce costs. The majority of banks still only provide basic mobile and Internet banking services,” PwC said. Increased regulation and a weak economic environment means banks are struggling to increase revenue. Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc, Britain’s biggest government-owned bank, is to cut about 4,800 jobs as it jettisons unprofitable units, it said last week, citing volatile markets and regulation costs. In the UK, almost 65 percent of respondents said they would pay just over four pounds a month for a bank loyalty card that converted points into cash. PwC interviewed more than 3,000 banking customers globally for the study.