In 2021, the opening of current accounts through digital channels surpassed for the first time those created by physical means in Brazil. By cell phones, tablets and computers, there were 10.8 million accounts opened, a growth of 66% in relation to the previous year. In branches, there were 9.9 million.
The data were released this Thursday (21) by Febraban (Brazilian Federation of Banks) in partnership with Deloitte. The survey shows that electronic channels have gained strength in the last two years, especially mobile devices (cell phones and tablets).
In 2021, 70% of banking operations were digital. On mobile devices alone, 67.1 billion transactions were carried out.
The number represents a 28% growth compared to 2020, when mobile transactions accounted for more than half of the total for the first time.
In 2021, 56% of transactions were made via mobile devices. Including other means, the total number of banking transactions grew by 15%. Convergence to mobile gained momentum during the pandemic, and had other effects on the banking industry.
According to the Febraban survey, there was a 20% reduction in payment transactions through physical channels. In addition, at ATMs, queries dropped by 35% between 2020 and 2021. Altogether, branches and ATMs saw a drop of 16% and 7%, respectively, in the number of transactions.
The average number of mobile banking accesses has also increased, from 24 times a month in 2020 to 40 in 2021. The survey shows that the average customer accesses more, makes more inquiries and more financial transactions.
For Rodrigo Mulinari, director of the Innovation and Technology Committee at Febraban, the trend is still for the growth of digital media.
“The trend, due to the solution that banks deliver on mobile, which is complete and secure, is that this percentage should increase more and more, mainly because Pix encourages this. banking channels,” he said in an interview with journalists.
The survey also shows that the number of people registered with Pix, the Central Bank’s instant payment system, grew by 72% in the 12-month period up to March 2021 and 2022.
“There are two movements happening at Pix, a strong adhesion and an increase in usage. Over time, I believe that Pix will become one of the great transactions that will boost the leverage of banking transactions”, said Rodrigo Mulinari.
The 3rd volume of the Febraban Banking Technology Survey 2022 (base year 2021) interviewed 22 banks that, together, represent 87% of the country’s banking industry assets.
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