Equitable Bank CEO Andrew Moor discusses EQ Bank’s challenger bank strategy, tech innovations, and the future of Canadian banking in an exclusive interview with Financial Technology Frontiers’ Babu Nair:
Established in 2014, EQ Bank has swiftly become the 7th largest bank in Canada, standing out with its innovative strategies and commitment to transformative changes. Moor, in the fireside chat, emphasized the bank’s role as a challenger bank, aiming to disrupt the traditional Canadian banking system by offering unique and innovative solutions.
Inspired by the success of the challenger bank scene in the UK, EQ Bank defines the category in Canada, focusing on delivering increased value to consumers and fostering prosperity within society.
Attracting Diverse Customers
EQ Bank strategically addresses the banking needs of the immigrant and younger population, offering tailored solutions. Moor highlighted the bank’s partnerships, such as the integration with Wise for real-time, cross-border transactions, catering to the diverse requirements of its customer base. Recognizing the challenges faced by newcomers in establishing credit profiles, EQ Bank is committed to supporting access to credit products, particularly in areas like mortgages and lending for small businesses.
Harnessing Technology
Setting itself apart, EQ Bank operates its core processing on the cloud, collaborating closely with Microsoft to leverage advanced tools in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and customer service. Moor stressed the importance of fintech collaborations, citing partnerships with companies like Wise, Nesto, Jumia, and Truly to deliver innovative solutions.
Empowering Inclusion, Building Trust
EQ Bank is dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion within its organization, actively recruiting individuals with diverse backgrounds. Moor highlighted the importance of building trust with customers, employing strategies like advertising on mainstream television to convey stability, despite operating without physical branches.
Future Trends
Moor outlined 3 significant shifts shaping the future of banking: digital identity, faster payments, and open banking. Expressing eagerness for the Canadian government’s commitment to open banking, he anticipates a dramatic transformation in the industry. Moor emphasized the role of digital identity, artificial intelligence, and large language models as key drivers of future innovation.
Moor reiterated EQ Bank’s relentless pursuit of connecting technology with enhanced customer experiences. He views technology not only as a means of efficiency but also as a catalyst for introducing novel products, ultimately benefiting customers and contributing to societal prosperity.
