In 2012, the idea of a bank without physical branches seemed almost impossible. Knab set out to disrupt the Dutch financial sector with a fully digital approach, but needed a partner who could translate that ambition into a scalable, secure, and user-centric digital ecosystem. Together, we launched the very first online-only bank in the Netherlands and have continued to innovate ever since: from native iOS and Android apps to Apple Pay and Google Pay integration, biometric security, and scam prevention. Today, Knab serves over 300,000 customers through a platform we built and continue to evolve together.
Mobile-first banking UX for a digital-first generation
Native iOS and Android app development
Microservices architecture on AWS for scalability and security
Apple Pay and Google Pay integration
Biometric identification and scam prevention
12+ years of continuous innovation partnership
The challenge
How do you revolutionise banking in the digital age through a mobile-first strategy and top-notch UX, while staying ahead of a rapidly innovating market?
The solution
A stable, long-term partnership delivering a fully-fledged digital banking system with native iOS and Android apps, continuous innovation, and robust security.
Knab x iO: building the digital bank of tomorrow, together
Knab, operating under the licence of Aegon Bank N.V., was founded in 2012 by René Frijters as the first all-online bank in the Netherlands. It offers private and business clients transparent internet banking, backed by excellent customer service.
We are Knab's trusted digital partner for building and evolving their complete digital ecosystem. Our collaboration goes far beyond individual projects: we think strategically, challenge assumptions, and help Knab stay ahead in a rapidly changing financial landscape. This case highlights just one part of that journey: there is much more we continue to build together.
When you have the right people in the room, you can achieve the impossible. In the space of two years, we constructed an online bank that has turned the financial world upside down. Together, we have since only achieved more and more.
A groundbreaking idea for an industry built on tradition
Back in 2012, checking your bank balance online or applying for a loan digitally was far from standard. The thought of a brand-new bank, without offices in the real world, was new and exciting. Knab set out to disrupt traditional banking, and in iO they found a partner ready to challenge the financial industry. Together, we launched a custom online banking platform and, later, native mobile apps that enabled a fully digital, mobile-first approach to banking.
How to launch an online-only bank with a mobile-first strategy
To bring Knab to market, we adopted a two-phased approach: releasing crucial banking services while partners continued work on the core banking solution. Our team focused on designing and developing the user interface, translating data and client data, ensuring every user interaction met the highest standards, and building the security architecture for the mobile app. This allowed Knab to go live quickly without compromising on quality or security.
Scalable, flexible, and secure: the digital banking ecosystem
Today, Knab's digital ecosystem includes a chat function, a complete digital archive, and an intuitive dashboard that gives customers instant insight into their financial status. We developed a dedicated banking section for entrepreneurs, designed a secure My-environment, and built the smartphone and tablet apps. The platform runs on a microservices architecture on AWS, ensuring scalability, flexibility, and top-tier security.
How to integrate Apple Pay and Google Pay into a native banking app
As digital payments became the norm, Knab wanted to offer customers the convenience of Apple Pay and Google Pay. Over the past two years, we integrated both payment methods into Knab's native app, enabling faster online and in-app payments. This required seamless integration with virtual card providers and rigorous security testing.
How to implement biometric identification and scam prevention in digital banking
With online-only banking comes the challenge of robust security. Solid security begins at registration: users scan their passport and verify their identity with a selfie. Biometric identification is now used for initial setup and major transactions, with onboarding applications soon to follow. To combat scamming and other malicious practices, we implemented advanced scam prevention measures, though the specifics remain confidential for security reasons.
2023: the year of the first visual revamp
After more than a decade, a visual renewal of both website and app was due. In close collaboration with users and our UX lab, we designed a new look and feel and built a design system to support it. Today, the Knab app rating is at an all-time high, proving that continuous improvement pays off.
A digital foundation built for ambition
The partnership between Knab and iO is a story of two teams acting as one. Our developers, many based at our Sofia campus, are fully embedded in Knab's processes, working daily alongside Knab's own teams. This unity has delivered an impressive set of milestones: from launching the Netherlands' first online-only bank to integrating Apple Pay, Google Pay, biometric security, and scam prevention. For Knab's customers, this means a seamless, secure, and constantly improving digital banking experience. For Knab, it means a scalable platform that supports continued growth and innovation.
1
new customers in five years
1+
customers serviced
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NPS score
