MOBILE BANKING –Software Testing for impeccable connections across the data, device and the user

From being an emerging trend, Mobile banking has now become a part of the syllabus at business schools. Such is the scope of development that banks have begun to look at the Mobile banking app as an interaction/transaction point as well as a USP.
Running into billions of dollars, Mobile Banking transactions are making their way into the headlines of financial news. Mobile Banking is seen as a digital replacement of ‘being at the bank’ next only to online applications. It is a platform that accelerates the transactions between the Banks and the customers.
Acting as a cost benefit initiative, Mobile Banking is being preferred by banks to stay relevant to the customers, increase transaction value and integrate peripheral services. For the customers, Mobile Banking is a great way to avoid travel/waiting in queues while having the freedom to make transactions on the go along with the ability to keep track of the account information.
We all know that an application connects an enormous population of stakeholders and enables transactions. In the context of Mobile banking, the features include fund transfer, recharge, bill payments etc.
Looking at the increasing number of transactions with handheld devices and an increasing number of features in the applications, it comes as no surprise that a single defect could initiate a ripple effect in the application ecosystem. This makes Software Testing an important component of the Go to Market strategy.
From a business perspective, testing a Mobile Banking initiative is a gigantic challenge as well as a critical commitment for an organization.

Why? Because of the number of risks involved.

Security Testing – Any mobile device can be used to penetrate or breach the security. Inherent vulnerabilities have to be discovered and authentication has to be tested for flaws.

Compatibility Testing – To capture the market and ensure wider coverage, the app has to offer consistent UI across leading devices

Performance Testing – Since mobile broadens the probability of concurrent traffic, the performance has to be strengthened with greater testing

Interruption Testing – The application’s cache, response after an interruption by a call or an sms has to be verified

Network Carrier Testing – How does the application respond in varying bandwidths

Analytics – The app’s ability to capture and consolidate analytics has to be assessed for flaws

Compliance – Does the application comply with the financial regulations, privacy policies and information security protocols?

Thus, the crux of Mobile Banking QA is a constant assessment of ‘inconsistencies’ or ‘negative outcomes’ across the data, device, process and the user. Learn more about Mobile Testing (See, Cigniti’s Mobile Testing)

In addition, testing is also a tool for organizations to improve 4 Mobile Value Generators

• Increased Customer Retention
• Reduced Channel Costs
• Expanded Customer Base
• Support Value Generation Activities

For a Mobile Banking initiative, testing demands a sophisticated approach blended with the minutest aspects of UI to ensure that the development is evenly distributed across business and the business process.

As the features are being refined and the applications are being improved to offer a unified experience, banks and financial organizations will be compelled to ensure high standards of QA.

In the context of Software Testing in BFSI domain, the ground realities become amazingly clear.

When a single application is being accessed and used by a wide population of users to execute certain number of actions 24/7, isn’t it important to make sure the application meets the expectations.

When a single application generates exponentially growing revenue isn’t it important to make sure the business logic and the computing system are monitored for defects 24/7?

When a single application is continuously upgraded with features/ revised information while consolidating an increasing user base, isn’t it important to set up an inclusive and scalable testing strategy?