Bankloch

In today’s tech-driven world, where “move fast and break things” remains a guiding mantra for many startups, financial services operate under very different rules. Banks and financial institutions function in a tightly regulated environment where stability, trust, and compliance are non-negotiable. Here, even minor changes can have significant consequences. Yet, the pressure to innovate is real. Digital transformation, evolving customer expectations, and fintech disruption compel institutions to adapt—or risk falling behind.   So, how can financial institutions innovate without compromising safety and compliance? One answer lies in adopting   controlled experimentation , particularly through   A/B testing   and   canary releases . These methods — standard in the tech world — are just beginning to gain traction in finance. The industry needs a middle ground: not the zero-risk mindset of exhaustive analysis and long testing cycles, nor the breakneck pace of tech s...

  Worldwide, there is a clear trend towards   embedding various services into a single digital customer journey   (see my blog "The Rise of Intelligent Ecosystems: What It Means for Financial Institutions" –   https://bankloch.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-rise-of-intelligent-ecosystems-what.html ). This has led to the emergence of embedded platforms, product and service marketplaces, and even super-apps that combine multiple offerings into one cohesive app experience. While these embedded journeys are increasingly comprehensive, they   currently revolve around the purchase of a single product or service . For example, planning a holiday can now be done in one flow—booking flights, hotels, public transport, car rental, and insurance. Similarly, buying a home can involve a streamlined process for property evaluation, mortgage arrangement, insurance, and the actual purchase. However, life also includes a few significant, life-changing events that most people experience...

In today’s hyper-connected world, every service provider aspires to build an   ecosystem   — a   collaborative network   of interconnected partners, platforms, technologies, and customers that together create and deliver value. At the core of this strategy lies a simple truth:   no single company can meet all customer needs alone . Ecosystems thrive on collaboration, and when successful, they create a triple win: customers enjoy seamless, personalized experiences; businesses attract and retain more customers; and partners unlock new revenue streams. The cornerstone of any ecosystem is the player that owns the customer relationship . This entity not only draws customers into the ecosystem but also gains access to the most valuable pool of data. In the digital economy, data is the lifeblood — it powers personalization, ensures compliance, and enables intelligent risk management. It’s the glue that holds the ecosystem together. Ecosystems come in many forms   ...

  In Belgium, the so-called “family insurance” — more formally known as personal liability insurance — is one of the most widely held insurance products. About 80% of Belgians have it, underscoring its popularity. That’s no surprise: it offers protection against the financial consequences of everyday accidents. This insurance covers liability for damage caused by you, a family member, or even a pet to third parties. This can include both bodily injury and material damage. Think of your dog knocking over a cyclist, your child breaking a neighbor’s window, a skiing collision, a BBQ at a campsite accidentally starting a fire, a storm toppling your tree onto a neighbor’s car, or a mishap while helping a friend move. It sounds indispensable. And yet, paradoxically, most people rarely — if ever — use it. Despite its relatively low cost (around €80–€120 per year, depending on household composition and age) and broad coverage (including millions in potential compensation), the average poli...