Iām technically not back to work yet but I missed you all so much.
Whilst eating my third cheeseboard of the season I thought about what you might all want to see this coming year from both Monzo and the forum. Iāve got a few ideas for this place but thereās no point in me doing them if thereās not a level of interest from you lot.
So this can be our open thread for suggestions which I can then turn into a poll over the next couple of weeks. (Or if we can convince @Peter_G to stick around for one more mega poll)
Iām long past being your target customer but honestly as I get older and find my finances to be more serious in nature Iād just want a cleaner simpler app and I personally want an online banking option.
Very with you up to this point. Iād love to have a Monzo equivalent of HSBCās First Direct - focused on excellent customer service for a more mature, more discerning group, based on Monzo tech.
Iām in danger of designing-my-own-fintech (again) but Iād like to think it was characterised by:
excellent (personalised?) customer service
best in class app
wealth management
more competitive rates
Iād pay for the privilege. Basically Iām after something thatās a bit more niche. Something Handlesbanken cum Monzo.
Such a thing would need a web interface, live chat and a phone number with First Direct / Monzo Alpha levels of service (you called it was answered by a human within a couple of rings - if you dial off they called you back).
Iād also want them to know a bit about my account and financial circumstances. Personal banking.
I no longer have a FD account but when I did I had to phone them to get back into my account on a new phone as I forgot about the code you need from the app (I think they stopped this now?) and when a real person answered the phone after around 5 seconds I was shocked into silence and forgot what I was phoning for.
Sounds dramatic but Iāve always been used to any company I have to phone sticking me on hold or going through endless menus.
I gave up on FD about a decade ago when they were short staffed and I kept getting āyour call is really important to usā messages. Tried to go back a few years ago but previous customers could only reapply by phone. I terminated the call half way through as their questions seemed disproportionate and invasive. I canāt remember what they were but I did check that they were running the current account script and not the mortgage oneā¦
More on topic:
ways for new community members to get involved
competition where the community gets to vote on one feature or bit of polish that Monzo promises to implement
More popcorn. That was a hit.
Scavenger hunt style stuff. In real life or in the appā¦
More polls (???)
Use the teardowns to purposefully tease / superinjunct @davidwalda sparingly
CEO AMA
Product-wise the other topic covers those, but Iām looking forward to European expansion and kill or cure of the USā¦
Wealth management is increasingly important the older we all get (full disclaimer, Iām still well within Monzoās target market).
I wonder whether this is something Monzo could build into plans or a new plan for those of us looking for more control rather than the savings/investments/pensions which allow us to do it ourselves? Thereās often times where Iād like a bit of support and not have to go too far out of the way for it.
No idea of the practicalities or regulatory requirements but just a thought!
Web interface, only thing thatās a ābigā thing for me at the moment that could sway me towards changing banks anytime soon.
I get Monzo was introduced as a mobile only thing but as Iāve gotten older and my finances have become more important, having a web interface has become more of a feature Iād like to have and I imagine thatās a similar situation for other people.
Honestly just a paid tier that doesnāt have a railcard included, and as a result has a reduced price - when you arenāt able to actually benefit from it at all.
) can get almost free targetted and concentrated market research.
