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Your bank is always nearby!

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Research commissioned by the ‘Accessible Banking’ programme(opens in new window) shows that more than half of those who are unable to manage their banking affairs entirely independently do not know how to get in direct, personal contact with a bank employee to sort out their banking matters. However, banks offer a wide range of local and personalised services(opens in new window) . At all banks, you can easily call a bank staff member from home, and some banks also offer video calls. Those who prefer to speak to someone in person can visit one of ING’s 180 Service Points throughout the Netherlands. ASN Bank has over 300 branches where customers can go for a face-to-face meeting. ABN AMRO and Rabobank have branches where customers can visit on appointment, as well as staff who can meet them at home or nearby.

Elderly man helping an elderly woman at the dining table viewing documents and a tablet in a quiet home environment.

Support for deaf or blind people

During this Accessibility Week,(opens in new window) we would like to highlight that deaf and hard-of-hearing people can ask all major banks for a sign language or writing interpreter during telephone calls. Blind and visually impaired people can listen to the text on the screen when using banking apps and online banking. This can also be done discreetly and securely using earbuds or headphones at many Geldmaat cash machines(opens in new window) , with a wire.

Mobile apps also work on tablets

All banks are constantly improving their mobile apps for the benefit of people with lower digital literacy, so that they can use them more easily for their day-to-day banking and payment transactions. Not everyone realises that banks’ mobile apps also work on Android tablets and Apple iPads, and not just on smartphones. Some bank customers prefer the larger text on the bigger screens of tablets and iPads to the small screens and text on phones.

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