Is this the bank of the future?

Polish Bank Alior has unveiled a digital bank that includes Facebook payments and an "entertainment area."

Alior's virtual branches are aimed at younger, tech savvy consumers. Features of the digital bank include the ability to speak to or text bank staff, send p2p payments through Facebook and an entertainment area, where users can watch films, listen to music and play games.

Alior Bank is pitching the Alior Sync as a new type of financial services firm, available anytime, anywhere, for a young, digitally savvy customer base.

Alior Sync is replacing physical branches with a virtual one that can be accessed through its website. The site contains a tab showing users how many bank staff are available to talk and through which medium - video, audio or text chat. When a customer clicks on an option they are put through to a member of staff and a screen where they can carry out transactions.



Additional to regular online banking features, Alior Sync has also developed Android and iOS mobile apps that let customers check their finances, transfer funds and pay invoices using their mobile’s camera.



A finance management tool is also offered, which can import account histories from other banks, and is aimed at assisting customers keep track of their budget. A “payments assistant” helps control spending and alerts users when transactions occur.

The bank has also worked with vendor IND Group on an app that lets customers transfer money directly to friends through Facebook photos without having to leave the page. The transactions are authorized using one-time codes sent via text messages and captcha. PayPal payments can also be made via e-mail.



Alior Sync has also added an entertainment area where users can watch films, listen to music and play games.

Is this the bank branch of the future?