The WIR Bank has created a digital currency, unyt, and an ecosystem, unytverse, where this currency can be used for payment. What is the idea behind this project?
Matthias Pfeifer: With unyt, we are getting one step closer to our vision. unyt strengthens the purchasing power of the Swiss population, promotes Swiss SMEs, and creates a financial system that supports social sustainability with every transaction – fully in line with the cooperative values of the WIR Bank. Inflation is a considerable burden on Switzerland’s middle market. At the same time, the middle market is an important customer group for our SME customers. With unyt, we are creating a community where people can increase their purchasing power and SMEs can attract interesting new customers. For our private customers, unyt is the perfect addition to our overall offering. With our “Bankpaket top” package, we offer not only very good interest on savings but also the most attractive account and card offering in Switzerland. In the area of investments we have the awardwinning digital pension solution “VIAC”.
Digital currencies and ecosystems are hot topics in banking at the moment. Do you see any other topics that will shape the financial market in the coming years?
Andreas Rogler: AI and automation will lead to increased efficiency in the areas of information gathering, standardized business processes and customer service. Regulatory changes, in particular stricter data protection requirements and new rules for digital financial technologies such as cryptocurrencies, will continue to play an important role in the future. Cyber security is becoming increasingly important due to the growing risk of cyber attacks. Sustainability and ESG criteria are also relevant topics.
Matthias Pfeifer: We also see open banking as a key topic for the future. This will make it easier to connect ecosystem partners with our own banking services and create an attractive overall offering for our customers.
The ESPRIT network, of which the WIR Bank is also a member, is in the process of replacing its existing e-banking solution with the ti&m solution. Why did the ESPRIT network choose ti&m’s solution? What factors are crucial for modern, customer-friendly e-banking?
Andreas Rogler: ti&m Banking offers a broad and future-proof range of functions and a modern integration architecture. This architecture provides the basis for the possible integration of external partners or participation in ecosystems. A modern e-banking system should have intuitive navigation and a responsive design to ensure seamless use on all devices. Data security should be guaranteed by advanced encryption mechanisms. Personalized financial overviews ensure a tailor-made customer experience in ti&m Special “digital banking” 2025 09 modern e-banking systems. We also believe it is important to have access to the bank’s full range of products and to be able to carry out transactions quickly and smoothly.
How do you think digital technologies have changed customer behavior, and how is your bank responding to this? What services – in terms of technology and advice – do banks need to provide to their customers?
Andreas Rogler: Our customers expect the full range of daily banking functions in mobile form. E-banking and mobile banking apps are replacing PCs, and opening an account and issuing instructions needs to be straightforward. Payments via mobile banking, wallets or TWINT are standard. In future, bank advisors will be available for individual advice via video as an alternative to visiting a branch. An app equipped with the latest security features and tested in accordance with data protection law goes without saying here. Matthias Pfeifer: We are confident that the trend will continue to move towards “mobile first” in the future. For many younger customers, “their bank” will be a folder on their smartphone with the financial apps that are most important for them. Personal advice in a branch will only be relevant for big things like buying a property.
What digitalization projects is the WIR Bank currently focusing on?
Andreas Rogler: Our main focus in 2025 is on introducing ti&m’s new digital banking solution. We also want to test use cases for the application of AI and make further progress in the area of process automation in the coming months.
Matthias Pfeifer: Our goal is not only to increase efficiency, but also to gradually optimize the customer experience. Our customers expect us to provide simple, fast and uncomplicated solutions for their financial transactions. At the same time, the public often forgets about the back office and the processing that takes place in the background. We want to improve in this respect. In addition to optimizing our processes, we launched TWINT for our customers in fall 2024 and, in collaboration with VIAC, we are offering an extremely attractive fund savings solution.
Where do you see the greatest potential for digital innovations?
Andreas Rogler: In banking, digital innovations focus on personalization and improving the customer experience. Customer-specific dashboards shouldoffer customizable views with relevant information, while AI generates intelligent recommendations for personalized offers and financial tips. Chatbots and virtual assistants are increasingly offering 24/7 customer service and answering the most common inquiries. Real-time transaction notifications and live chat functions will ensure immediate support in the future. Seamless payment solutions such as digital wallets and P2P payments reduce the effort involved in payment processes. Gamification, which increases user engagement by rewarding them for achieving financial goals, offers further potential. Security features such as biometric authentication and fraud detection are increasingly ensuring that data and transactions are handled securely.
Matthias Pfeifer: We are also seeing more and more innovations in embedded finance and, in future, particularly in open banking, which will simplify access to various financial solutions.
How can IT service providers such as ti&m help banks to implement digitalization projects? What skills do you expect from an IT service provider?
Andreas Rogler: We expect an IT service provider like ti&m to have comprehensive technical expertise in system integration and industry-specific knowledge. Strong cybersecurity skills are also crucial to protect systems and data. In addition, experience in cloud computing is important to us. A strong customer focus is necessary in order to understand the needs of customers. Project management experience, continuous support, and maintenance are crucial if everything is to run smoothly. The ability to innovate, openness to newtechnologies, agility and flexibility, and a partnership on equal terms are further essential qualities.
ti&m Special «digital banking»