CONTEXT: This project explores a redesigned pre-login and login experience for a mobile banking app, inspired by patterns used in large European banks such as ING NL and ING PL.

The goal was to balance strict regulatory requirements (PSD2, SCA) with a calm, predictable daily banking experience.

PROBLEM: Many banking apps mix:

• marketing content,
• quick actions,
• and authentication entry points
• on a single screen.

❗️This leads to visual noise, blurred boundaries between public and secure areas, and uncertainty around when the user actually enters a regulated flow.

❗️At the same time, removing pre-login functionality entirely is not realistic due to customer support, low-risk actions, and business needs.

DESIGN GOALS

• Clearly separate pre-login (public) and login (secure) areas
• Make PIN-based authentication the foundation
• Support biometrics without making them dominant
• Reduce cognitive load during authentication
• Ensure full PSD2 / SCA and accessibility compliance

SOLUTION: The experience was divided into two clear layers, This supports low-risk tasks while keeping the secure flow clearly separated:

1. Pre-login lobby (public)

2. A lightweight, non-sensitive space with limited quick actions (e.g. tickets, BLIK, ATM locator, card freeze) and a single Log in entry point.

A focused entry point into authentication:

• Primary action: Log in (biometrics)
• Secondary option: Use PIN instead

Clear security reassurance. This allows fast access for returning users while preserving compliance-required fallback.

UX & COMPLIANCE RATIONALE:

• PIN-first authentication ensures predictability, auditability, and universal access
• Biometrics act as an accelerator, not a replacement
• Clear zone separation reduces fraud risk and improves perceived security

ACCESSIBILITY

• Large touch targets (≥48px)
• High contrast and readable typography
• One-handed use
• Screen-reader friendly PIN input

OUTCOME

The final concept delivers a calm, predictable, and compliant login experience that reduces cognitive load and scales well across European markets.

Instead of visual novelty, the design prioritizes trust, clarity, and regulatory readiness—key qualities for enterprise banking products.

What I’d improve: ING PL vs ING NL — Executive summary

Clearer separation of public vs secure zones

ING PL blends pre-login content with authentication, while ING NL clearly separates the public lobby from the regulated login flow. Introducing a stronger boundary improves trust and compliance clarity.

Lower cognitive load during login

Reducing the number of visible actions on the login entry screen helps users focus on a single goal: secure access to their account.

Biometrics as an accelerator, not a primary feature

Face ID should support, not replace, PIN-based authentication. Keeping biometrics secondary aligns better with PSD2/SCA and conservative banking patterns.

Simpler, procedural login UI

Stripping visual richness from authentication screens increases predictability and reduces user stress during a high-risk moment.

Treat login as a security checkpoint, not an engagement surface

Unlike ING PL, which still introduces engagement elements pre-login, ING NL demonstrates that speed, clarity, and trust outperform discovery at the point of authentication.