Financial institutions like banks and insurance companies have always struggled in introducing and infusing tech innovations in their processes in the past years. Now that the demands of consumers for easier, seamless and digital transactions have significantly increased, financial institutions have to necessarily give in. A couple of years ago, Pioneer Insurance introduced their first online retail store, InsureShop, which allowed the company to bring some of their products like MediCash Dengue, Travel Light and Travel Buddy to more Filipinos online. Just today, RCBC, one of the leading banks in the Philippines, introduced @AskRC.
@AskRC is a Facebook messenger-based system, which may be freely used by its depositors and clients at the comforts of their home – anytime, anywhere. RCBC proudly say that it is the first-ever bank-run chatbot in the Philippines that “converses with and replies to both account holders and non-account holders on topics ranging from branch and ATM locations, loan facilities, latest promos, to todays FOREX and NAVPU rates. So, No – it can’t provide you your savings account balance yet, but it’s already in the pipeline.
“Customer experience is engraved in the heart of RCBC’s core strategy as an institution. The creation of Ask RC reflects RCBC’s goal in providing its client with a customer experience that will make their lives easier,” said Gil Buenaventura, President and Chief Executive Officer.
This unprecedented move by RCBC will trigger an influx of innovation initiatives by other financial institutions with a unified intent to service customers efficiently and smartly with the use technology.
While it is possible to make a bot in less than an hour through paid third-party web applications, RCBC possibly developed theirs internally in order for the chatbot to be compatible with their legacy and internal systems. Gadget Pilipinas already reached out them through their PR Agency regarding this matter.
“We know that by launching Ask RC, we will be able to reach out and respond to our customers faster and more efficiently. By utilizing such modern technology, we are able to make the lives of our customers easier and information nearer to them. Ask RC was designed with the benefit of our customers in mind and we hope that as we learn from what our customers ask of RC, it will really bring our customers closer to what they financially aspire for and make their dreams within easy reach. So please, go ahead and @AskRC so that we can help you achieve your goals,” Lopez added.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
