Gabnet: Reinventing Online Banking for a Seamless User Experience

"Online banking should be simple, secure, and accessible—but for many users, it's anything but."

In 2020, due to COVID-19, the banking industry shifted 70% of their transactions to online banking. Gulf African Bank faced challenges with their internet banking platform, Gabnet , resulting in only 25% of expected transactions occurring monthly.

Headquarters

Headquarters

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Founded

Founded

2006

Industry

Industry

E-commerce

Revenue

Revenue

$1.578 billion (2019)

Company size

Company size

5,000+

How Do We Sort User Accessibility and Task Efficiency?

When designing Gabnet, we weren’t just improving an interface; we were redefining how users interact with their finances—making transactions smoother, navigation more intuitive, and security a top priority.

Through user research, we uncovered three recurring frustrations in existing online banking platforms:

🔹 Overcomplicated Interfaces – Users felt overwhelmed by cluttered dashboards and unnecessary steps.
🔹 Lack of Real-Time Insights – Balances, transactions, and spending patterns weren’t immediately clear.
🔹 Security vs. Usability – Striking a balance between robust security and frictionless access was crucial.

The key insight? Users don’t just want a banking platform—they want a financial hub that’s fast, transparent, and secure.

40%

Reduced transaction time

25%

Increase in user retention

84%

Increase in time spent on website

Design Goals

Design Goals

Designing for Clarity, Speed & Trust

1. A Dashboard That Works for Users, Not Against Them

Most online banking dashboards display too much information at once. We streamlined Gabnet’s layout by:
✅ Prioritizing essential financial data (balances, transactions, and scheduled payments).
✅ Using visual hierarchy to guide attention.
✅ Implementing a customizable interface, allowing users to personalize their experience.

The Result: A dashboard that reduces cognitive load while keeping everything accessible at a glance.

2. Seamless Transactions, Minimal Friction

Bank transfers shouldn’t feel like a maze of unnecessary steps. To simplify transactions, we:
✅ Designed an instant transfer system with clear confirmation states.
✅ Reduced the number of steps needed to send money.
✅ Added predictive suggestions for frequent transactions.

The Result: Transactions that feel as effortless as messaging a friend—fast, intuitive, and reliable.

3. Security Without the Hassle

Users demand strong security, but they also want an experience that doesn’t feel like a chore. Gabnet balances both by:
✅ Implementing adaptive authentication—stricter security only when necessary.
✅ Using biometric login for speed and safety.
✅ Providing real-time fraud alerts with actionable steps.

The Result: A banking experience that feels secure but never obstructive—trust and usability in perfect balance

The Impact: A Banking Experience That Works for Everyone

Once implemented, Gabnet’s new platform:
Reduced transaction time by 40%, making banking faster.
✅ Improved user engagement by enhancing dashboard clarity.
✅ Created a trusted and secure environment without unnecessary complexity.

🔘 Final Thought: Users don’t just want to “use” their bank—they want to feel in control of their finances. Gabnet makes that possible.

Let's Connect

Let's Connect

Let's Connect

Inayat Haji

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