Whether you’re supporting a family, retired or planning for the future, figuring out finances is at least some part of your life. Getting a little help and advice can go a long way to realizing your spending habits and how a small adjustment can make for better financial fitness.
The Project
The Chase Financial Fitness feature is an additional feature for the existing Chase mobile app. The idea is to utilize a person’s existing information and help them find a better way to save, whether it’s for now or the future. In addition, utilizing existing Chase features and products will solidify the brand loyalty and keep customers coming back to the Chase ecosystem.
The Project Goals
Utilizing existing Chase data and elements to create an additional feature focused on helping users save and potentially invest in Chase products. By bringing a little know feature (spending circle) to the forefront and making users aware of other Chase offerings.
Role
- UX Designer
- UI Designer
- Researcher
Apps
- Sketch
- Illustrator
- Framer
Timeline
- 2 Weeks
Let's Get Started
I was very familiar with the Chase app going in to this project since 1) I use it on a regular basis and 2) I actually worked on the app and desktop site within a team at Chase. The app covers a lot of needs for users, but it’s also lacking a way for users to track their finances in a helpful way. It made for an easy decision knowing the app was lacking this feature and competitors were implementing and pushing their version through marketing… but how could I address users needs and pain points in a way that no other app was doing? Were there gaps? Only one way to find out…
Competitor Analysis
Research Methodologies
Questionnaire –I created a series of questions based around spending habits and what respondents were currently saving for or were interested in when it came to saving. I touched on the number of times respondents made certain types of purchases and how comfortable they were with them. Lastly, I asked about how they currently managed their finances and purchases.
Competitor Analysis – I conducted extensive research of financial apps, whether they were from large institutions like Chase, Bank of America, etc., or independent companies like Mint or YNAB. I also read articles about choosing financial apps to see what users were looking for and what was being done already.
Secondary Research – I conducted research about different generations, their finances and what their goals currently are. I made sure I looked at several aspects, whether it was savings, investments or current financial well-being for each generation.
Needs
Wanted to save and/or invest money but are struggling to save
Pain Points
Buy meals out at least
1-2 times per week
Wants
Use a computer or mobile app to keep their cash flow in order
Can manage their finances but are still seeking options to save/invest
Research Synthesis
Based on the questionnaire and research I performed, a majority of users from every generations are moving to app-based banking as well as budgeting and saving. They were very interested in both saving now and for the future, but most felt they had their non-essential spending under control. I wondered if they needed to see what they could have invested or saved for the future and how a few Starbucks could turn into something more with some investment help.
Personas
Persona - Brian
Persona - Kimberly
Empathy Maps
Empathy Map - Brian
Empathy Map - Kimberly
Storyboards
The data I collected showed that there were two groups that I should focus on and how they viewed saving and spending. I created my personas for each, and their unique stories developed in two distinct directions. I was starting to think about how the app would satisfy each group but also cater to those that may have an overlap in ideas.
Storyboard - Brian
Storyboard - Kimberly
How Might We...
I knew the general idea for the app but the data was posing so many questions around the user that I decided to take the How Might We approach and see what came about. I broke down the main user needs and pain points and thought about how to solve them in a helpful way. It didn’t take long for areas of the app to emerge as I went through this exercise.
Integration
I was at the point in the project where I had to think about how the new feature, I was developing was going to fit seamlessly into the existing Chase Mobile app. One thing I noticed as a user was how great functions were buried several taps deep. I wanted to bring this to the forefront so users would feel like it was easy to get to, didn’t take a lot to get the full picture and made it useable for everyday use.
Site Map
Doodle & Flow
I started creating some drawings based off of the How Might We information and the idea that creating simple interactions could solve the setup process for users. I also knew that I wanted to add some level of accomplishments within the app so the users felt like they were getting frequent pats on the back. I thought of a 30-Day Challenge, Achievements/Goals and quick view rings to show progress for savings or investment goals.
The task flow was designed around setting up a goal and making sure purchases were categorized properly. Without depending on visuals, I knew organizing with icons would be a great use for most users. As for the user flows, each was drastically different since my personas had different needs and pain points, but in the end they could solve their individual desires in the same app.
Initial Sketches
I used the How Might We information and my personas to work on quick sketches for the app feature. I focused on keeping the same look and feel and how existing features could become amplified by the savings feature I was adding.
Task & User Flows
Chase Task Flow
How a user signs in and interacts with the app to make sure purchases are categorized properly.
Task Flow - Brian
Based off of Brian's story, he would be a first time user and need help setting up his goals. He would also look into Chas's existing investment products, which puts him in a position to solidify his loyalty through the Financial Fitness feature.
Task Flow - Kimberly
Based off of Brian's story, he would be a first time user and need help setting up his goals. He would also look into Chas's existing investment products, which puts him in a position to solidify his loyalty through the Financial Fitness feature.
Wireframes
Financial Fitness Login
Financial Fitness login card added to the existing Chase main account screen.
Onboarding
Onboarding screen utilizing an existingChase mobile app feature. The onboarding screens are designed to be interactive, teaching the user while explaining setup.
Summary Screen
The summary screen shows recently completed goals, progress for current goals, current purchases and other options.
Category Change
Modal that allows the user to quickly change a purchase's category, helping keep tracking accurate and easy.
Spending Breakdown
An existing feature deep within the Chase Mobile app that is brought to the front and utilized to help users budget and save.
30-day Challenge
A specific and short-term goal to help users realize their spending habits and how they can reallocate money to help save or pay down debt.
Daily Spending
A breakdown of the user's daily spending to help realize alternate options for spending or saving. Also tracks location to show frequency of visits and and spending.
Style Tile
UI
Financial Fitness Login
Login card for Financial Fitness added to the Chase Mobile app home screen.
Onboarding
Onboarding using customer data to help them understand how to save with Financial Fitness and set an initial goal.
Summary Screen
Home screen for Financial Fitness. Includes personalization with quick view of goals (rings on avatar), Goals, Summary and transactions.
Goals
An overview of current goals with a quick view of progress and ability to setup a new goal
Spending Overview
Pie chart with a breakdown of spending and recommendations for categories to review for potential goals.
Accomplishments
Gamification of savings and goals to encourage users to continue activity.
Daily Spending
List of daily transactions with interactive map to help the user understand how and where they are spending.
Transaction Detail
Detail of a transaction from Daily Spending. User can view details, location and change the category of needed.
Category Change
Modal showing categories the user can choose from.
30-Day Challenge
30-Day Challenge showing an interactive calendar, quick view summary and offers targeted at the user and their goals.
Where's the "any" key?
The prototype for the Financial Fitness feature was built within Sketch and delivered on a mobile device. Participants were given 4 scenarios consisting of 4 tasks, which included completing the onboarding, changing a purchase category, checking accomplishments and starting a new goal.
After the completion of testing, the overall response was very positive. There were a few areas of concern where users stumbled, which were addressed in the revisions.
Sketch Prototype
Affinity Map
We got a live one!
Through user testing, I found that most people were interested in adding investment possibilities as a goal. Research and testing could be done around incorporating Chase’s existing investment feature (You Invest). I also found that users who had the Chase app on their phone were interested in the Spending Summary wheel and utilizing its functionality, so testing for possible functionality or alternate uses will be something to investigate. Overall, keeping the feature easy to use, transparent and also finding the path of least resistance is the focus for any update.