Allica Bank
A bank focused on delivering digital banking solutions and innovative financial products to help SMEs manage their finances more effectively. Its services included business loans, savings accounts, and other financial products designed to support the growth and development of small and medium-sized businesses.
The challenge
Creating a business bank from the ground up is a formidable undertaking, one that Allica Bank tackled head-on. This ambitious endeavour was rife with challenges, including stringent FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) compliance requirements, a barrage of unexpected hurdles, and a constantly shifting regulatory landscape. Here's a glimpse into the journey of building Allica Bank under these demanding circumstances.
The approach
Designing a business bank from scratch for Allica Bank, while leveraging an existing design system, is a strategic approach that combines consistency and efficiency with the need for innovation and user-centered design. Here's a step-by-step of our design approach:
Define the Vision and Objectives
• Begin by clearly defining the vision for Allica Bank's business bank. What are the key objectives? What unique value will it offer to business customers?
• Ensure alignment with Allica Bank's overall brand and mission.
Understand User Needs and Market Research:
• Conduct thorough research to understand the needs, pain points, and expectations of business customers. This should include surveys, interviews, and market analysis.
• Explore the competitive landscape to identify gaps and opportunities.
Adapt and Expand the Existing Design System:
• Leverage Allica Bank's existing design system as a foundation. This includes established brand guidelines, typography, colour palettes, and UI components.
• Adapt the design system to accommodate the unique requirements of a business banking platform. This may involve creating new components or modifying existing ones.
• Ensure that the design system aligns with accessibility and compliance standards, including FCA regulations.
Create User Personas:
• Develop detailed user personas representing various segments of business customers. These personas will inform design decisions and help create personalised experiences.
Wireframing and Prototyping:
• Begin with wireframes to outline the layout and flow of key pages and features. This is an efficient way to iterate on design concepts.
• Create interactive prototypes to visualise user interactions and workflows.
Development and Testing:
• Collaborate closely with developers to ensure the design is implemented accurately and efficiently.
• Conduct rigorous testing to identify and resolve any functional or usability issues.
User interface | Visual Design | Art direction | Prototyping