CUs in the Eastern European nation were originally shuttered out of fears they could further the spread of COVID-19 but have been allowed to resume operations provided certain safety precautions are met.

Limiting access to branches because of the pandemic has forced executives to re-examine whether they offer enough mobile and online services.

Digital banks outscored brick-and-mortar banks in a recent J.D. Power study of customer satisfaction. However, the survey pointed to shortcomings in call center services, which are in high demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.K. company has recruited Bruce Wallace, formerly of Silicon Valley Bank, and Ronald Oliveira, who was with AvidBank, to lead its expansion here.

Lenders can offer deferred payments and capitalize on digital banking to help small businesses and consumers get back on their feet.

The app, set to roll out this month, will be offered to the 38 million Office 365 users and can connect via the data aggregator Plaid to all bank and card accounts.

CUs in the Eastern European nation don’t offer online financial services, meaning a predominantly older membership base could be at increased risk for contracting COVID-19.

Customers are more reliant than ever on digital banking tools, and institutions like OceanFirst, BBVA and M&T are thankful they had invested in teaching employees to show customers how to use them.

With branches closed and fewer opportunities for credit unions to have in-person interactions with members, the pandemic has reiterated the need for digital transformation in the industry.

Founder Brett King will now focus on the enterprise software side of the business, which provides mobile banking software to traditional banks.