Despite being home to some of the biggest names in the industry — N26, bunq, and Vivid Money just to name three — the DACH region has lagged behind the rest of Europe when it comes to neobank adoption. Could accepting eCash move the needle as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic?

Throughout the 2010s, governments and international organisations pushed harder than ever to boost financial inclusion.

Different approaches to banking connectivity around the world mean we’re still way off achieving global instant bank transfers. What will get us there? Creating frameworks that transcend geographic boundaries, agreeing on standardised APIs, and building partnerships between banks and payments companies at local levels.

Being dynamic and agile, particularly in the pursuit of better user experience for customers, is a common trait of digital banks. This is key to their competitive advantage when compared to traditional banking. And while cash consumers seem to represent a rather conservative demographic as it relates to financial services, this group is an increasingly attractive target for digital banks, especially during the global pandemic.