First National Bank (FNB) has been deemed a leader in the digital and technological space, according to the 2012 BMI-TechKnowledge Digital Lifestyle predictor.

The survey, which included approximately 1 000 metropolitan consumers across SA, focused on the digital consumer, with the main metrics of measurement being ownership, attitudes and usage. It was conducted in and around areas that account for a third of the South African population and half of SA’s gross domestic product. In the banking category, FNB came in at number one in terms of consumer attitude and perception.

Head of FNB digital Lana Strydom says the digital landscape presents a challenge in that it is continuously changing. “[So] we need to constantly keep abreast of new technological developments in our field. We created a digital strategy that placed great emphasis on new and upcoming digital platforms and also focused on FNB’s product offerings.”

The digital lifestyle survey acknowledged that trends in urban areas had a trickledown effect to those in rural areas, who followed the lead when it came to aspects of digital lifestyle.

It also highlighted that smartphones and applications are proliferating, with 60% of respondents having a smartphone and 4% owning a tablet.