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.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
2006
E-commerce
$1.578 billion (2019)
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
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.
“ With our new visual branding and language in place, the new Shopify brand clearly captures the essence of our current and target customer base, our employees, and our values. ”
Tobias Lütke
CEO, Co-founder | Shopify
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.
