Access Softek Survey Finds One in Five Credit Union Members Anticipates Fewer Branch Visits Post-COVID

-Survey indicates member satisfaction remains high during pandemic, demonstrates need for additional digital services-

BERKELEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Access Softek, Inc., a digital banking platform provider, surveyed more than 500 credit union members to better understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their behavior toward and interactions with their credit union. The survey, conducted by Google Surveys between July 9, 2020 and July 13, 2020, found that more than 20% of members believe their visits to the branch will permanently decrease after the pandemic.

With decreased access to branches and increased safety concerns, members have discovered new features and a new value in their digital banking solutions. Nearly 30% of members responded that they will continue to use these new, recently-discovered features in their digital banking experience, and 34% reported they will be able to better accomplish their financial needs via digital channels.

Almost half of credit union members do not plan to change their frequency of branch visits after the pandemic when compared to their frequency of pre-pandemic branch visits. This is an indicator that digital solutions have enabled many members to bank as usual, even during unprecedented interruptions.

Despite the 20% decrease in branch visits, the affinity towards one’s credit union has increased. Only four percent of members are more likely to leave their credit union post-pandemic, and by a factor of more than three to one, members reported they were less likely to leave their credit union than more likely.

“This is encouraging news for credit unions. Even during unforeseen circumstances, they have maintained member relationships and, in many cases, increased loyalty,” said Chris Doner, founder and CEO of Access Softek. “Digital has been instrumental in their success, as online and mobile solutions allow members to continue banking, virtually uninterrupted.”

Doner added that credit unions should not be content with their current digital banking options, however. Now that members have discovered new digital tools, credit unions must continue to add to and improve on those tools to stay relevant and keep members happy.

Additionally, these findings present an opportunity for credit unions to reprioritize. With a decrease in branch visits post-pandemic, credit unions should reassess what they are spending on branches and consider reallocating funds to their digital strategy. With COVID-19 accelerating the move to digital, credit unions must stay ahead of demand and ensure their digital strategy measures up to what members are looking for.

About Access Softek, Inc. 

Access Softek sets the standard for the omnichannel digital banking landscape, having developed the first downloadable apps for mobile banking. Since that time, Access Softek has extended its track record of innovation to online banking, biometric authentication, real-time fraud prevention, and automated investing integrated directly into a financial institution’s digital banking platform, among many other innovative products. Since 2004, Access Softek has delivered industry firsts to over 400 bank and credit union customers from its Berkeley, California headquarters. Learn more at AccessSoftek.com.