Banking Solution:
Bills & Subscription Management Feature
Banking Solution: Bills & Subscription Management Feature
Banking Solution:
Bills & Subscription Management Feature
12 Weeks | UX Designer | Academic Project
12 Weeks | UX Designer | Academic Project
12 Weeks | UX Designer | Academic Project
About the Project
About the Project
This project addresses the user need for improved subscription management within the Discover app. The project involved designing a user-friendly feature that allows users to easily track, manage, and understand their recurring subscriptions, enhancing their financial awareness and control.
This project addresses the user need for improved subscription management within the Discover app. The project involved designing a user-friendly feature that allows users to easily track, manage, and understand their recurring subscriptions, enhancing their financial awareness and control.
This project addresses the user need for improved subscription management within the Discover app. The project involved designing a user-friendly feature that allows users to easily track, manage, and understand their recurring subscriptions, enhancing their financial awareness and control.
My Role
My Role
As this was an individual project, I held full ownership of the UX design lifecycle, from initial concept and brainstorming to user research, competitive analysis, UX design execution, and user testing.
As this was an individual project, I held full ownership of the UX design lifecycle, from initial concept and brainstorming to user research, competitive analysis, UX design execution, and user testing.
As this was an individual project, I held full ownership of the UX design lifecycle, from initial concept and brainstorming to user research, competitive analysis, UX design execution, and user testing.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Why This Feature?
Bank of America app users face challenges in efficiently managing their recurring payments. While subscription services like Netflix and Spotify are a concern, users also struggle to easily track and pay various bills, such as utilities and other services. The current app experience often requires manual searching for service providers, making it time-consuming and cumbersome to manage all types of recurring expenses.
Bank of America app users face challenges in efficiently managing their recurring payments. While subscription services like Netflix and Spotify are a concern, users also struggle to easily track and pay various bills, such as utilities and other services. The current app experience often requires manual searching for service providers, making it time-consuming and cumbersome to manage all types of recurring expenses.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Why This Feature?
Bank of America app users face challenges in efficiently managing their recurring payments. While subscription services like Netflix and Spotify are a concern, users also struggle to easily track and pay various bills, such as utilities and other services. The current app experience often requires manual searching for service providers, making it time-consuming and cumbersome to manage all types of recurring expenses.
Outcome
Outcome
This project resulted in a well-designed bill tracking feature, successfully meeting all micro-goals. Its success was recognized by the professor, being 2nd best presentation in the class.
This project resulted in a well-designed bill tracking feature, successfully meeting all micro-goals. Its success was recognized by the professor, being 2nd best presentation in the class.
This project resulted in a well-designed bill tracking feature, successfully meeting all micro-goals. Its success was recognized by the professor, being 2nd best presentation in the class.
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Current Solution Analysis
Current Solution Analysis
My analysis of popular subscription management apps like Truebill and Bobby revealed key shortcomings:
• A reliance on time-consuming manual input for tracking.
• Security vulnerabilities associated with granting bank access.
• A lack of transparency due to feature limitations in free versions.
My analysis of popular subscription management apps like Truebill and Bobby revealed key shortcomings:
• A reliance on time-consuming manual input for tracking.
• Security vulnerabilities associated with granting bank access.
• A lack of transparency due to feature limitations in free versions.
My analysis of popular subscription management apps like Truebill and Bobby revealed key shortcomings:
• A reliance on time-consuming manual input for tracking.
• Security vulnerabilities associated with granting bank access.
• A lack of transparency due to feature limitations in free versions.
A Secure and Centralized Solution:
A Secure and Centralized Solution:
Bank of America, a financial institution known for its robust security measures, provides an ideal foundation for a subscription management tool. Integrating this feature empowers users with:
Existing Trust: The peace of mind that comes from using their trusted bank's security systems.
Seamless Integration: Easy adoption due to familiarity with the Bank of America app's interface.
Centralized Management: The convenience of managing subscriptions, all in one secure location.
Bank of America, a financial institution known for its robust security measures, provides an ideal foundation for a subscription management tool. Integrating this feature empowers users with:
Leveraging Existing Trust: The peace of mind that comes from using their trusted bank's security systems.
Seamless Integration: Easy adoption due to familiarity with the Bank of America app's interface.
Centralized Management: The convenience of managing subscriptions alongside other finances, all in one secure location.
Bank of America, a financial institution known for its robust security measures, provides an ideal foundation for a subscription management tool. Integrating this feature empowers users with:
Leveraging Existing Trust: The peace of mind that comes from using their trusted bank's security systems.
Seamless Integration: Easy adoption due to familiarity with the Bank of America app's interface.
Centralized Management: The convenience of managing subscriptions alongside other finances, all in one secure location.
Goal
Goal
How can we design a unified and intuitive system within the Bank of America app that simplifies the process for users to:
• View and manage both their subscription payments and regular bill payments?
• Easily navigate to bill payment options without needing to manually search for each service provider?
How can we design a unified and intuitive system within the Bank of America app that simplifies the process for users to:
• View and manage both their subscription payments and regular bill payments?
• Easily navigate to bill payment options without needing to manually search for each service provider?
How can we design a unified and intuitive system within the Bank of America app that simplifies the process for users to:
• View and manage both their subscription payments and regular bill payments?
• Easily navigate to bill payment options without needing to manually search for each service provider?
UNDERSTANDING USER NEEDS
UNDERSTANDING USER NEEDS
Insights of User Needs Through Research
Insights of User Needs Through Research
I conducted interviews with friends and current Bank of America app users. This research revealed key user pain points:
I conducted interviews with friends and current Bank of America app users. This research revealed key user pain points:
I conducted interviews with friends and current Bank of America app users. This research revealed key user pain points:
Prioritization: Users expressed a need for ready-made options for selecting service providers, rather than the current manual system of adding service names.
Prioritization: Users expressed a need for ready-made options for selecting service providers, rather than the current manual system of adding service names.
Prioritization: Users expressed a need for ready-made options for selecting service providers, rather than the current manual system of adding service names.
Deeper Insights: Users wanted the ability to view billing history, including signup dates and total months paid, a feature absent from the current monthly statements.
Deeper Insights: Users wanted the ability to view billing history, including signup dates and total months paid, a feature absent from the current monthly statements.
Deeper Insights: Users wanted the ability to view billing history, including signup dates and total months paid, a feature absent from the current monthly statements.
Notification Setup Methods: Users desired easier controls for turning on/off notifications for recurring bill payment alerts, both before and after payments.
Notification Setup Methods: Users desired easier controls for turning on/off notifications for recurring bill payment alerts, both before and after payments.
Notification Setup Methods: Users desired easier controls for turning on/off notifications for recurring bill payment alerts, both before and after payments.
Participant Quotes
Participant Quotes
I conducted interviews with friends and current Bank of America app users. This research revealed key user pain points:
I conducted interviews with friends and current Bank of America app users. This research revealed key user pain points:
I conducted interviews with friends and current Bank of America app users. This research revealed key user pain points:
Clear Goals & Practical Improvements
Clear Goals & Practical Improvements
These goals, prioritized based on user needs assessment and competitor analysis, aim to empower users and streamline their bill and subscription management experience:
Simplified Bill Payments: A redesigned layout makes finding and paying bills quicker and hassle-free.
Subscription Tracking Made Simple: A dedicated section highlights all recurring charges at a glance.
Take Control of Subscriptions: Easily rename, sort, and cancel subscriptions in just a few taps.
Hassle-Free Alerts: Set up and manage payment reminders without digging through settings.
Spending Insights at a Glance: View monthly expenses in a clear, digestible format. No need to comb through statements.
These goals, prioritized based on user needs assessment and competitor analysis, aim to empower users and streamline their bill and subscription management experience:
Simplified Bill Payments: A redesigned layout makes finding and paying bills quicker and hassle-free.
Subscription Tracking Made Simple: A dedicated section highlights all recurring charges at a glance.
Take Control of Subscriptions: Easily rename, sort, and cancel subscriptions in just a few taps.
Hassle-Free Alerts: Set up and manage payment reminders without digging through settings.
Spending Insights at a Glance: View monthly expenses in a clear, digestible format. No need to comb through statements.
These goals, prioritized based on user needs assessment and competitor analysis, aim to empower users and streamline their bill and subscription management experience:
Simplified Bill Payments: A redesigned layout makes finding and paying bills quicker and hassle-free.
Subscription Tracking Made Simple: A dedicated section highlights all recurring charges at a glance.
Take Control of Subscriptions: Easily rename, sort, and cancel subscriptions in just a few taps.
Hassle-Free Alerts: Set up and manage payment reminders without digging through settings.
Spending Insights at a Glance: View monthly expenses in a clear, digestible format. No need to comb through statements.
DESIGN
DESIGN
Mapping the User Persona
Mapping the User Persona
Persona & Scenario: Meet Emily, a 32 year busy professional, realizes her gas bill is overdue. She opens her bank app, only to find that setting up the payment requires multiple manual steps, searching for the provider, entering details, and verifying the setup. Frustrated, she finally pays it.
Just then, she notices a $120 charge for Hotstar, a subscription she forgot to cancel. She wants to set up alerts for future renewals but struggles to find the option, buried deep in the settings. Annoyed by the effort it takes to manage simple tasks, she wishes her banking app made things quicker and easier.
Persona & Scenario: Meet Emily, a 32 year busy professional, realizes her gas bill is overdue. She opens her bank app, only to find that setting up the payment requires multiple manual steps, searching for the provider, entering details, and verifying the setup. Frustrated, she finally pays it.
Just then, she notices a $120 charge for Hotstar, a subscription she forgot to cancel. She wants to set up alerts for future renewals but struggles to find the option, buried deep in the settings. Annoyed by the effort it takes to manage simple tasks, she wishes her banking app made things quicker and easier.
Persona & Scenario: Meet Emily, a 32 year busy professional, realizes her gas bill is overdue. She opens her bank app, only to find that setting up the payment requires multiple manual steps, searching for the provider, entering details, and verifying the setup. Frustrated, she finally pays it.
Just then, she notices a $120 charge for Hotstar, a subscription she forgot to cancel. She wants to set up alerts for future renewals but struggles to find the option, buried deep in the settings. Annoyed by the effort it takes to manage simple tasks, she wishes her banking app made things quicker and easier.
Creating a user persona and scenario provided valuable insights into the user’s challenges and expectations. This approach helped design a solution that truly aligned with their needs and real-life situations.
Creating a user persona and scenario provided valuable insights into the user’s challenges and expectations. This approach helped design a solution that truly aligned with their needs and real-life situations.
Creating a user persona and scenario provided valuable insights into the user’s challenges and expectations. This approach helped design a solution that truly aligned with their needs and real-life situations.
Mapping the User Journey
Mapping the User Journey
To create an intuitive experience, I observed how users typically manage their subscriptions and bill payments and identified key interaction patterns that simplify financial tracking. Using these insights, I outlined five different user flows within the Bank of America app, ensuring that each action, whether finding a subscription tab, paying utility bills or setting up alerts feels natural and frictionless. The goal was to remove guesswork and make navigation as effortless as possible.
To create an intuitive experience, I observed how users typically manage their subscriptions and bill payments and identified key interaction patterns that simplify financial tracking. Using these insights, I outlined five different user flows within the Bank of America app, ensuring that each action, whether finding a subscription tab, paying utility bills or setting up alerts feels natural and frictionless. The goal was to remove guesswork and make navigation as effortless as possible.
To create an intuitive experience, I observed how users typically manage their subscriptions and bill payments and identified key interaction patterns that simplify financial tracking. Using these insights, I outlined five different user flows within the Bank of America app, ensuring that each action, whether finding a subscription tab, paying utility bills or setting up alerts feels natural and frictionless. The goal was to remove guesswork and make navigation as effortless as possible.
Placing the Feature for Maximum Visibility
Placing the Feature for Maximum Visibility
Hiding the features deep in settings wouldn’t work. To ensure easy access and high engagement, I analyzed BOA and other financial apps. The best placement? Under "Bill Pay." This aligns with user habits, keeping subscriptions and other payments in one intuitive spot.
Hiding the features deep in settings wouldn’t work. To ensure easy access and high engagement, I analyzed BOA and other financial apps. The best placement? Under "Bill Pay." This aligns with user habits, keeping subscriptions and other payments in one intuitive spot.
Hiding the features deep in settings wouldn’t work. To ensure easy access and high engagement, I analyzed BOA and other financial apps. The best placement? Under "Bill Pay." This aligns with user habits, keeping subscriptions and other payments in one intuitive spot.
Exploring Screen Layouts Through Wireframing
Exploring Screen Layouts Through Wireframing
To structure the service and subscription billers, history and alerts effectively, I created wireframes focusing on clarity, and minimal friction. Key design decisions included:
To structure the service and subscription billers, history and alerts effectively, I created wireframes focusing on clarity, and minimal friction. Key design decisions included:
To structure the service and subscription billers, history and alerts effectively, I created wireframes focusing on clarity, and minimal friction. Key design decisions included:
Final Designs aligned with the existing UI style
Final Designs aligned with the existing UI style
Adding New Biller & Managing Subscription Alert
Adding New Biller & Managing Subscription Alert
Adding New Biller & Managing Subscription Alert
To view her bill payment history, Emily taps on “Bill Payment History.” She can now see her total spending for the selected month, along with a detailed breakdown and spending trends.
To view her bill payment history, Emily taps on “Bill Payment History.” She can now see her total spending for the selected month, along with a detailed breakdown and spending trends.
To view her bill payment history, Emily taps on “Bill Payment History.” She can now see her total spending for the selected month, along with a detailed breakdown and spending trends.
Tracking Bill Payment History & Spending Trends
Tracking Bill Payment History & Spending Trends
Tracking Bill Payment History & Spending Trends
To add a new biller, Emily taps "Add Biller," selects from a list of options, enters the required details, and manages alert and auto-pay settings with a single tap before saving the information.
To add a new biller, Emily taps "Add Biller," selects from a list of options, enters the required details, and manages alert and auto-pay settings with a single tap before saving the information.
To add a new biller, Emily taps "Add Biller," selects from a list of options, enters the required details, and manages alert and auto-pay settings with a single tap before saving the information.
High-Fi Prototype
High-Fi Prototype
High-Fi Prototype
Reflections & Refinements
Reflections & Refinements
I learned that staying organized and documenting each step along with key accomplishments can be incredibly helpful when making important design decisions. In the banking sector, asking detailed questions about users’ financial habits is especially critical.
Since this was a school project with limited time, there wasn’t much scope for in-depth interviews or testing with a larger user group. I believe that expanding the participant pool in the future would uncover deeper insights into user behavior and needs.
I learned that staying organized and documenting each step along with key accomplishments can be incredibly helpful when making important design decisions. In the banking sector, asking detailed questions about users’ financial habits is especially critical.
Since this was a school project with limited time, there wasn’t much scope for in-depth interviews or testing with a larger user group. I believe that expanding the participant pool in the future would uncover deeper insights into user behavior and needs.
Get In Touch
Let’s make something people actually want to use! Feel free to contact me.
Get In Touch
Let’s make something people actually want to use! Feel free to contact me.
Get In Touch
Let’s make something people actually want to use! Feel free to contact me.
Get In Touch
Let’s make something people actually want to use! Feel free to contact me.