Designing an accessible credit scoring platform for Almond FinTech with user-friendly dashboards and workflows to drive financial inclusion
Almond FinTech is a startup that uses psychometrics to approve credit loans for individuals without traditional credit histories. They reached out to me and a team of designers to enhance their minimum viable product (MVP) by designing new features. This included dashboards for loan agents and administrators, as well as a workflow for conducting psychometric assessment tests for customers.
My primary responsibility was to create dashboard mockups and high-fidelity prototypes for a mobile app, desktop application, and offline app, ensuring that the platform remained accessible to users in various environments.
The main challenges included addressing cultural differences in the design to ensure the platform was accessible and engaging for diverse user groups. This was important for facilitating easy interaction between loan agents and customers.
Additionally, developing an offline-capable app for users in remote areas with limited internet connectivity was essential. This feature allows the platform to function without needing constant data access, while efficient data storage and syncing became crucial whenever connectivity was available.
To tackle these challenges, I created a user flow map outlining the information architecture for two distinct user types: loan agents and administrators, each with specific workflows. I then designed user-friendly dashboards for loan agents to help them efficiently manage customer data. Additionally, I implemented a filtering system that established a taxonomy, making it easier to categorize assessments from both the admin and loan agent perspectives.
Since my target demographic is based in remote and eastern parts of the world, I incorporated culturally relevant aesthetics to better appeal to a diverse audience, based on the research provided by the team.
I also considered three use cases for different platforms: a mobile app, a desktop application, and an offline app, tailoring the design to meet the unique needs of users in various contexts.
The designs led to significant improvements in user satisfaction and engagement. Financial institutions reported smoother onboarding processes and more efficient credit assessments due to the intuitive design and effective filtering system. The offline app was especially successful in enabling users in remote areas to access the platform without internet connectivity, thereby contributing to greater financial inclusion for underserved populations. Overall, the project helped Almond FinTech expand its reach and provide accessible credit scoring to individuals with limited or unconventional credit histories.
