Our Story: FNB Pulse - Future to smart banking

Inspiration behind FNB Pulse

Often, we struggle to answer the simple question, “Where did all my money go this month?” Watching friends and family wrestle with the same problem made it clear: managing money shouldn’t be guesswork. We longed for an app that could help us keep track of our spending habits, translate the raw numbers into plain-language advice, and nudge us toward our goals. That frustration, and the belief that technology should make finances effortless, ignited FNB Pulse.

The Problem we see

1. Cash withdrawals erase the data trail that the bank needs to help customers learn from their spending.
2. Current dashboards stop at “what happened”; they rarely answer “what’s next?”
3. Many Batswana want to be financially responsible but lack real-time insights or coaching.

What does it do (Solution)?

1. Categorizes Spending: Every time a user swipes their FNB card, Pulse analyzes the transaction and automatically categorizes it (e.g., groceries, transport, bills, etc.) depending on their spending habits. Users can also edit or create custom categories.
2. Visualizes Income vs. Expenses: The app displays a personalized financial dashboard with graphs and charts showing income, expenses, savings trends, and more. It gives users a clear picture of where their money is going every month with no hidden fees.
3. Predicts Future Expenses: Using AI and machine learning, Pulse forecasts recurring expenses (like electricity, school fees, bank charges) and sends alerts so users can prepare in advance. Users can also manually set recurring expenses.
4. Supports Goal-Based Planning: Users can set financial goals (like saving for a house or paying off debt), and the app simulates different savings scenarios and shows them how to get there based on their current habits.
5. Offers Debt Reduction Guidance: Pulse helps users track debts, calculate payoff timelines, and suggests how much they can allocate each month to clear their debts faster based on their net income and fixed expenses.
6. Assists With Travel and Currency Planning: For travelers, the app provides real-time exchange rate forecasts, ATM withdrawal fees, cost-of-living comparisons, and helps users budget for international trips

In short, Pulse turns every FNB card transaction into personalized, actionable financial advice, helping users spend smarter, save better, and achieve their financial goals, all within the FNB mobile app

Implementation Plan

Design: Figma (UI/UX design), Photoshop (Photo Editing), and Adobe Illustrator (Logo Making) Front-end and Back-end: React-Native (Expo), Node.js, or Flask Database and Auth: Supabase

How Users Benefit

1. Instant clarity. A colourful dashboard shows income vs. expenses at a glance.
2. Predictive peace of mind. Smart alerts warn of likely shortfalls or recurring bills.
3. Goal confidence. Scenario simulations reveal the exact path to a house deposit, degree tuition, or debt-free date.
4. Effortless budgeting. Automatic categorisation and AI tips mean no manual spreadsheets, ever.

How the Bank will Benefit

1. Higher Card Usage: By rewarding insight-rich card payments, customers are nudged to swipe instead of withdrawing, driving interchange revenue and reducing cash-handling costs.
2. Data-Driven Cross-Selling: Better categorized spend data fuels precise offers (loans, insurance, investments) at the perfect moment, boosting uptake and satisfaction.
3. Brand Differentiation: “Bank of the Future” becomes tangible: FNB leads with proactive, AI-powered financial wellness rather than passive statements.

Built With

• flask
• node.js
• react-native
• supabase