OCBC is expanding its OCBC Digital Silvers Program to empower 10,000 "digitally shy" elderly individuals with digital banking skills and scam prevention awareness by the end of 2024. "Digitally shy" seniors are those who avoid technology, including digital banking apps, due to a lack of confidence or rapid technological changes. The program will teach them essential skills like making QR payments, performing cardless cash withdrawals, and using anti-scam security features.
To achieve this, OCBC will host mini carnivals and outreach activities at community centers, Housing Board pavilions, and other local venues, planning at least five such events this year. So far, over 600 elderly individuals have participated in pilot community events.
By bringing workshops to community spaces, OCBC aims to make the program more accessible and less intimidating. Many elderly avoid digital banking due to unfamiliarity or the inconvenience of waiting at bank branches. Since its launch in September 2022, more than 3,600 seniors have completed the program.
OCBC is confident in the program's effectiveness, expecting significant behavior changes within 60 days of workshop attendance. Previous participants showed a 76% drop in branch visits for basic banking needs and a 28% increase in PayNow transactions. Additionally, none reported falling victim to scams, highlighting increased scam awareness.
The program was launched this year with a carnival at Bishan Community Club on June 15, 2024, attended by over 800 seniors, including 240 beneficiaries from charities. The carnival featured booths teaching digital banking skills through games, like scan-and-pay simulations and scam recognition activities.
OCBC has made the program inclusive, extending it to all seniors, not just OCBC customers. They created a mirror of the OCBC Digital app for non-customers to practice. Workshops are conducted in multiple languages to ensure personalized guidance for all participants.
Sunny Quek, Head of Global Consumer Financial Services at OCBC, emphasized the bank's commitment to digital inclusion: "As we embrace the digital wave, the Bank has made it its responsibility that no one gets left on shore.”
