While we were hopeful that members would comply, the shift to online banking was dramatic, with 50,000 more online transactions in April than in March – a 38% increase. April was another record month due to the stimulus payments, and the online trend is sure to increase as members adopt the newer technology, including a new mobile application we introduced in July to further facilitate online transactions. While we have a six-branch network and serve the entire state of Michigan, we consider this new mobile app another branch, with a mobile video teller platform allowing members to connect anywhere and anytime for safe, secure banking. Its initial use – 46 video sessions with members in the first four days of the platform launch – far exceeded our expectations.

“In March 2020, we experienced a 461% growth in video calls on our platform,” said POPi/o Mobile Video Cloud’s President and COO Jed Taylor. “Throughout March and April, each progressive week generated a new record for weekly video call volume.”

Banking since COVID-19 has taken on a different form. From wearing a mask to not being able to talk with a teller, several changes have been implemented in recent months.

Tim Pranger is a co-founder and director of solution consulting for POPi/o, a provider of collaborative video banking software that began as a mobile app and now serves members on laptops and other PCs and inside branches.