Launching the Dominican Republic’s First Neobank

“The only way to democratize the financial system is by giving people a direct line of access to fulfill their dreams.” – Arturo Grullón, CEO at Qik

In the heart of the Dominican Republic, I embarked on an extraordinary journey as a leader at Qik Digital Bank. Here, I had the honor of guiding a team of 12 brilliant designers, each specializing in UX, UI, and UR. The task at hand was immense, as we faced the challenge of building a team in a country with limited UX maturity.

Part of Qik’s Design Team at Qik’s Launch Event

Our mission was clear – to launch the very first neobank in the Dominican Republic, redefining the digital banking experience for our customers. We knew that achieving this ambitious goal required us to set the highest standards of user experience, and so we dived headfirst into the realm of UX Research. Feedback from our customers became the heartbeat of our innovation, continuously refining and elevating our offerings.

Building a strong foundation was essential, and the creation of a robust Design System became our guiding light. This transformative framework brought consistency and efficiency to every digital touchpoint, making our user experience seamless and delightful.

Yet, our journey didn’t end there. Collaborating closely with the business team, we navigated the complexities of a product discovery process, carefully prioritizing functionalities for the market. It was no easy feat, but by harnessing the power of customer insights, user data, and industry trends, we aligned our offerings with the ever-changing demands of the market.

Qik Stand at “Mercado Expo 2022”

Chris & Sarah Taking about Qik’s Design Process

The challenges we faced only fueled our determination, and it showed in the remarkable UX KPIs we achieved. With soaring customer satisfaction, improved conversion rates, and unprecedented user retention, Qik Bank gained a reputation as a trailblazer in innovation and user-centricity.

As the team flourished, I took great pride in witnessing its growth from a small group of 3 designers to a dynamic force of 12. Guiding and mentoring designers became an integral part of our journey, and I cherished the collaborative environment we fostered. By investing in each team member’s professional development, we nurtured a spirit of creativity and innovation that pushed the boundaries of what we thought was possible.

Leading this exceptional design team at Qik Bank has been a rewarding and transformative experience. Together, we have not only shaped the future of digital banking in the Dominican Republic but also demonstrated the true power of user-centric design thinking in driving meaningful impact. Our story is one of passion, perseverance, and the unyielding belief that together, we can create extraordinary change in the financial industry.

Behind the resounding success of the Qik design team lie countless design projects, obstacles, problems, and opportunities. If you wish to delve deeper into our journey, I warmly invite you to connect with me. Experience what it means to be a ‘Qiker’ firsthand by downloading our app from the App Store or Google Play Store.