It’s significant even when a large bank like Citibank or USAA launches an Apple Watch app — but how about when a one-branch bank in Oklahoma builds one?
Wearables, and the new wave of mobile banking, are upping the ante for smaller banks. In what has been compared to an arms race, the Lilliputians of the banking world — community banks and credit unions — are struggling to keep up with the ever-increasing tech offerings of the megabanks. A further challenge is that millennials, supposedly anti-bank in sentiment, actually seem to prefer the offerings of the megabanks, which generally offer more sophisticated mobile apps. (Don’t just take our word for it — Ron Shevlin said it!)
But there are forces fighting that trend, and plenty of signs of hope for the little guys.
One such sign comes from Quail Creek Bank, which operates out of one branch in Oklahoma City, Okla. Quail Creek announced a new Apple Watch app last week. It was not built by Malauzai, the software company that was among the first to market in the U.S. with an Apple Watch app for eight community banks. It was built in-house, by Quail Creek Bank’s own vice president, Duggan Roberts.
The smartwatch app is part of the bank’s new LINQ system of integrated digital services, which launched lat Monday. Quail Creek’s mobile app also offers remote deposit capture of checks and Apple Pay.
“Community banks must improve their customers’ mobile banking experience to remain competitive with national banks,” Roberts said in a press release “Quail Creek Bank has embraced new digital technology to enhance customer service by launching LINQ. And, we’re proud to lead the way as the first community bank in Oklahoma to offer an Apple Watch app.”
So the next time you hear smaller banks can’t or won’t innovate, tell them about Quail Creek.