Modern mobile banking users live in a state of constant conflict. On one hand, they expect their mobile app to act like a digital concierge – predicting their needs and automatically categorizing their expenses. On the other hand, they increasingly feel the “cold breath” of algorithms on their necks. By 2026, personalization has ceased to be a marketing add-on; it has become the front line in the battle for trust.
The new "Mobile Only" era
Mobile banking is the digital heart of the Polish financial sector. According to the NetB@nk report (ZBP)* for Q3 2025, the number of active mobile banking app users in Poland reached 26.8 million. Furthermore, 20 million Poles are now “mobile only” customers. However, the Thales Digital Trust Index 2025 points out that globally, less than 50% of consumers fully trust financial institutions when it comes to processing their data.*
Privacy by Design: from SDK to TEE
As a technological partner to the banking sector, we implement security in a multi-layered approach. In addition to obfuscation and anti-tampering mechanisms, the foundation lies in hardware-backed cryptography. We utilize native hardware-backed keystore mechanisms, based on Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) and dedicated Secure Element chips (such as StrongBox or Secure Enclave).
As a result, cryptographic material is generated and stored within an isolated hardware layer and never leaves it. The application simply requests an operation (e.g., a digital signature), which guarantees the security of keys even if the operating system is compromised.
We use, among other methods, Differential Privacy – the addition of mathematical noise to datasets. This allows us to draw statistical conclusions about groups while simultaneously limiting the risk of identifying individual persons.
Marketing consents: from "accept all" to informed choice
In 2026, combating “consent fatigue” is a UX priority. Modern mobile apps are moving away from unreadable lists of checkboxes toward interactive privacy management centers. In accordance with the upcoming PSD3 and FIDA regulations, consents are becoming granular. Users no longer sign a digital “Faustian bargain” but manage access in real-time. They see in black and white: “The bank is analyzing my fuel expenses to offer me cheaper motor insurance”. According to Thales, this transparency builds trust – 64% of consumers state their trust in a brand increases when it clearly communicates the purpose of data collection.
Processing purposes: personalization that makes sense
True personalization is not about intrusive loan advertisements, but about intelligent assistance. That is why we focus on precise definitions of processing purposes (purpose limitation). Data analysis must provide real value to the customer – a concept known as “value exchange”. If the system notices that a user pays for three different streaming services every month, the purpose of processing is not to sell another card, but to offer a proactive suggestion: “You can save 40 PLN per month by consolidating these subscriptions”. Defined in this way, the bank ceases to be just a safe and becomes a financial partner.
Architecture of the future: federated learning
The technological foundation of this ethical personalization is Federated Learning. In this model, transactional data never leaves the customer’s smartphone. A local copy of the algorithm is trained on the user’s data and then sends only anonymous updates to the general model to the bank. This represents the highest level of personalization while maintaining 100% privacy, in compliance with the EU AI Act.
Summary: how to effectively personalize mobile banking in 2026?
In a world where most mobile applications – including banking apps – offer similar features, “Digital Trust” is the key differentiator. PwC reports that investments in cybersecurity in the CEE region will increase among 65% of companies in 2025. We believe the best technology is that which protects the user before they even feel the need for protection. Personalization without violating privacy is not a utopia; it is a standard that customers expect here and now, and which we deliver every day. After all, trust is the new profitability.
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Bibliography:
- https://www.zbp.pl/raporty/raport-netbank [access: 25.02.2026r.]
- https://cpl.thalesgroup.com/digital-trust-index [access: 25.02.2026r.]
- https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/consulting/cybersecurity-risk-regulatory/library/global-digital-trust-insights.html [access: 25.02.2026r.]
