Banking for senior citizens: Problems for senior citizens have increased since the digitalization of banking. They are increasingly becoming victims of online scams and frauds. In such a situation, banks will have to ensure that they take full care of the convenience of their oldest citizens. To promote virtual use of banking through digital payments, banks should do only these things –
The number of online frauds involving senior citizens was 9,097 in 2021-22, which increased to 13,530 in 2022-23. These shocking figures have emerged in RBI’s annual report FY23. Although every day someone or the other becomes a victim of bank related frauds, but the largest number of them are of senior citizens. This figure is increasing rapidly with time.
According to a report jointly released by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), the number of people above 60 years of age in India was 149 million in 2022. This figure will increase to 347 million in 2050. Youth have always been an attractive customer for banks. It is very easy to provide digital financial services to these people, but senior customers are equally important for banks.
There was a time when banks were busy increasing their physical access. Doorstep banking made easy for the convenience of senior citizens. However, banks are still facing problems in the digital age. Especially when it comes to senior people, it is equally difficult to provide these services to them. After the digital age, there has been an increase in web channels, mobile apps, payment cards and wallets but with this advancement, these services are still not accessible to senior citizens.
Looking at the e-banking challenges of senior citizens
Senior citizens across the country have unique financial demands. They still do not trust digital banking. As people age, they have to deal with problems like physical disability and poor eyesight.
Senior citizens have grown up in an environment full of trust. In such a situation, they quickly become victims of online frauds. Scammers target these people by posing as bank employees and government agents. By extracting sensitive information from them, fraud is carried out with them.
