Digitalisation boosted productivity, protected jobs and helped mitigate the economic disruptions of the pandemic. According to the IMF, the acceleration of digital transformation in many economies during this period reduced productivity losses by 20%. The least digitalised countries and small businesses were the ones that most accelerated their digital connection, both in employment and in business, thereby benefiting from greater productivity gains.
Once the pandemic was over and normality returned, these advances were consolidated. In a recent report (“How Pandemic Accelerated Digital Transformation in Advanced Economies”), the IMF confirms the global employment recovery and how digitalisation has become a perfect complement for companies in their traditional activity. Spanish banks are a good example of this.
With the sector’s evolution and technological transformation—something increasingly demanded by customers—commercial profiles remain necessary. To strengthen their workforce, institutions are clearly committed to professionals capable of providing personalised service to consumers. However, they have incorporated specialised profiles in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) for data-driven decision-making and the development of a new, constantly evolving relationship with customers to meet their needs as they change. In addition, new regulatory requirements and the increasing sophistication of markets make it necessary to have highly qualified financial profiles.
Digitalisation, like any past innovation, has helped us move forward, overcome problems and improve our quality of life. However, to harness its full potential, each individual must make an effort to adapt—different in each case—which makes it essential to promote citizens’ digital skills and improve connectivity. This digital transformation in which we are immersed, like the green transition, are Europe’s two major future commitments, to which it will allocate a significant part of its European funds.
Because the Internet allows us to simplify our day-to-day tasks and errands, from booking an appointment with our GP to shopping and accessing all kinds of products and services. It also enables us to search for information, compare offers and make purchases securely. There is no need to fear the Web, but it is important to understand the risks that exist and to be prepared to avoid them. This is the aim of the prevention and awareness campaigns carried out by authorities and financial institutions.
The use of digital banking is one of the activities that has grown the most in recent years, according to the National Statistics Institute. In 2003, fewer than 10% of the Spanish population used it, compared with 71.5% today. It is not a question of age. The use of digital banking is also increasing among older people and, in fact, there are now more older people who prefer to carry out transactions through digital banking than in offices and branches, according to a recent Metroscopia survey. The percentage of those who have visited their branch in the last week has fallen from 21% in 2021 to 8% today. And who uses Bizum? Of its more than 25 million users, 47% are between 55 and 64 years old.
One of the greatest benefits of digital innovation is communication. We can see it every day. A true revolution in which older people are especially benefiting. Because online access is the best remedy against social exclusion and loneliness. And it is key to inclusion in private and public services in rural Spain. Like any other innovation, it requires learning and adaptation, intrinsic characteristics of human beings.
José Luis Martínez Campuzano, Spokesperson for the Spanish Banking Association
