# Community Banking Banking platforms and spaces are prioritizing social engagement and community. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published Jul 31, 2022 | Category: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/business-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/community-banking ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.9/10 - Evidence articles: 8 ## What is the Community Banking trend? **Community Banking:** Some banking and investing services are prioritizing community-based, social experiences that help clients pool resources, get more information, and/or create a sense of comfort and familiarity with financial services. ## The consumer insight behind the Community Banking trend Financial services tend to be intimidating, particularly for consumers who weren't raised with financial literacy as part of their education. Those who find banking and investing intimidating benefit from apps, services and community spaces where information is simplified and shared. These consumers require services that prioritize accessibility, whether that's through community or by other means. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 8 featured examples - Articles from: Apr 13, 2021 to Dec 6, 2023 - Published: Jul 31, 2022 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience), [Authenticity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/authenticity) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Community Banking trend ### Community-based Banking Financial services that prioritize accessibility, whether through community or other means, are gaining popularity as they help consumers pool resources, get more information, and create a sense of comfort and familiarity with financial services. ### Social Investing Platforms Next-generation investing platforms that prioritize community and social experiences, such as group chats and fractional investments, are making it easier and less intimidating for young investors to get involved in the market. ### Multi-functional Community Spaces Community hubs that combine traditional banking services with social event spaces, cultural centers, and cafes are gaining popularity as they create a welcoming and inclusive environment for customers. ## What the Community Banking trend means for industry ### For Banking and Finance Community-based banking, social investing platforms, and multi-functional community spaces are transforming the banking and finance industry, offering more accessible and inclusive services to consumers. ### For Hospitality and Event Management Multi-functional community spaces, such as the NeighborHub facility and the ImaginCafe, highlight opportunities for incorporating financial services into hospitality and event management. ### For Technology and Social Media Social investing platforms, like Public.com, rely heavily on technology and social media to connect users and create a community-focused investment experience, presenting opportunities for innovation in these industries. ## Workshop question How could your brand make its product/service more accessible for its customers? ## Trend signals for Community Banking Trend score 3.9 out of 10, from popularity 53%, activity 44%, freshness 19%. - Popularity: 53% - Activity: 44% - Freshness: 19% ## Examples of the Community Banking trend 8 featured examples from Apr 13, 2021 to Dec 6, 2023. - [Virtual Banking Environments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uni-verse): The Uni-Verse is a Banking Metaverse for Union Bank of India Clients (Category: Tech) Implication: Opportunities for banks to leverage virtual environments and offer clients swiftness and safety in performing banking tasks in the metaverse. - [Community-Centric Investment Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/communitycentric-investment-app): This App Helps Investors Inspire and Inform Each Other (Category: Tech) Implication: Opportunity for disruptive innovation in fintech by offering easy-to-use digital investment products and services for micro-investors at a low cost. - [Community-Focused Bank Cafes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/imagincafe-by-caixabank): ImaginCafe by CaixaBank Creates a Cultural Space for Young Consumers (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Banks can create community spaces that align with the cultural and social interests of their target market. - [Visual Payment Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vizme): Vizme Turns the Experience of Sending or Spending Money Into Stories (Category: Tech) Implication: Vizme's visual payment app offers an innovative solution for the fintech industry, providing a more engaging and user-friendly financial management experience. - [Investing Gen Z Group Chats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/finary): Finary Raises Money to Build the Investing Chat Platform (Category: Business) Implication: Finary's platform provides opportunities for disruptive innovation in online investing, socially responsible investing, and digital banking. - [Community Building Banking Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/columbia-banks-neighborhub): NeighborHub's All-in-one Facility is More than Just a Bank (Category: Business) Implication: Banks innovating their business models to prioritize customer relationships and blend financial transactions with community-building efforts. - [Enriching Senior Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ogilvy-shanghai): Ogilvy Shanghai Debuts a Seniors Initiative Called 'Morning Shanghai' (Category: Social Good) Implication: Opportunity for technology companies to develop digital tools and platforms that empower seniors and enhance their digital literacy. - [Post Office Bank Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bankhubs): BankHubs Have Opened in Local Post Offices as Part of the CACA Initiative (Category: Social Good) Implication: The development of BankHubs in Post Offices is a disruptive innovation opportunity for the banking industry to increase accessibility and proximity to banking services. ## Recent trend clusters - [Errand Leisure](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/errand-leisure) (Business) - [Category Mashups](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/category-mashups) (Business) - [Calm Monitoring](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/calm-monitoring) (Lifestyle) - [Smile Cosmetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/smile-cosmetics) (Fashion) ## Trending in Business - [Performance-Based Creator Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creator-ad-platforms) - [Repairable Hardshell Jackets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sperro-sv) - [Natural Deodorant Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/target-beauty-studios) - [Mini Beauty Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/little-luxuries-store) All articles: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business)