Skip to main content Site map

Blog

3 ways that technology is reshaping day-to-day financial wellbeing benefits

Benefits

Posted on: Wednesday March 17, 2021

We’ve all become used to seeing personalised adverts pop up while we’re online. These programs use AI to push products that they think we’ll be interested in - often with scarily accurate results.

But what if programs like these were designed to get us to save rather than spend our money? Applying the latest technology to financial wellbeing products makes it easier for consumers to manage their money and access the best advice in a time-efficient way. Let’s look at three ways that technology has influenced financial wellbeing benefits.

1. Personalisation

Financial wellbeing apps can create customised actions and financial strategies based on a person's cash flow, spending history, and future cash income. Programs can also help users stick to budgets or meet financial goals, or even offer predictive analytics around a person's finances.

By making information more relevant to an employee, they are much more likely to act on it. This will lead to better habits and decisions. For example, if a financial assistant helps an employee understand how much they need to save for retirement, and where they could make savings on their current expenditure, this insight could help them divert more money into their pension.

2. Communication

We’re used to seeing chatbots where users can ask basic questions and receive helpful information and guidance. Consumers can get answers to questions regardless of the day and time, and work on their finances late at night or on the weekends, rather than waiting until Monday morning to solve their issues.

Sometimes a consumer will begin a conversation with an AI chatbot which can answer simple questions immediately, but enquiries that are more complex need to be passed on to front-line colleagues. Using chatbots to triage enquiries means that in-person conversations are better quality and less repetitive - and ultimately more successful for the consumer.

3. Efficiency

Technology is transforming the speed and methods with which advice can be delivered. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated a shift towards digital banking, with more services available online and a rise in mobile banking in the UK. Customers want to be able to manage their finances from their smartphone and financial wellbeing benefits need to support this.

Where there are time and cost limitations when it comes to providing advice to all employees on a face-to-face basis, AI can deliver information to aid informed choices, with advisers stepping in to support those with more complex requirements. This is especially true when it comes to imparting targeted advice, making it affordable and accessible to as many people as possible.

Not so fast

A note of caution – we shouldn’t lose sight of the value of human connection. The challenge is that the range of people’s circumstances is wide and the long-term consequences of making financial decisions can be significant.

For instance, one of our partners provides debt solutions to get customers back in control of their finances. A significant proportion of their customers have extra vulnerabilities beyond debt, such as mental health, addiction, or age-related illnesses. What’s more, seeking advice for problem debt is highly emotive for many people and they may have been struggling in silence for years. In these circumstances, what’s needed is the personal touch – a sympathetic ear who will listen and give 1:1 support.

Digitisation and AI can be useful; but ultimately they need to form part of a blended approach which also utilises human expertise and compassion.

Check out our financial wellbeing report for more great insights, or visit our employee wellbeing page.

Back

The value of face-to-face support: Why financial wellbeing benefits from the human touch

While face-to-face support is resource hungry, it provides companies and individuals with priceless opportunities they otherwise would not have. For blue-collar workers in particular it can open up access to a whole range of products and services they either may not have properly understood, or thought were simply beyond their reach.

Posted on: 29 November 2024 by Mike Laird, Head of Risk

Shifts in user experience affect technology strategy and engagement

Meeting the demands of a diverse multi-generational workforce means that a one-size-fits-all approach no longer works. With an ageing workforce, companies are having to think harder and work smarter at giving all their employees access to benefits.

Posted on: 8 November 2024 by Andrew Walker, New Business Development Director

Addressing burnout and wellbeing through reward

Every company wants to look after their employees while also appealing to their better nature. A competitive salary is important but enduring happiness at work relies on employees feeling valued and respected. It is how we bring the best out of people and it is how we inspire and maintain a willingness to work hard.

Posted on: 25 October 2024 by Holly Coe, Senior Reward Consultant

Speak to our experts about how Hapi can help drive employee value for your business.