Berlin-based Deutsche Kreditbank AG (DKB) is working with local startup FinReach to launch an online chatbot capable of guiding customers through the process of applying for a loan.
The bot, known as 'Herbie', uses artificial intelligence and a grasp of colloquial language to converse with customers and help them find an appropriate product for their needs.
FinReach CEO, Sascha Dewald, says Herbie can be operated as intuitively as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.
"The special feature of Herbie is that he guides the course of the conversation based on specific questions presented to the customer and recognises a relevant product interest in real time. This is different from the classic chatbots of today", he says.
The vendor worked in tandem with DKB developers to coach Herbie on the bank's product portfolio and typical Web interactions with its 3.6 million client base.
Mark Hauel, head of retail banking at DKB, therefore sees great potential in Herbie: "More and more people are expecting their bank to provide intelligent digital services and increased interaction. Our new chatbot will initially be used on our personal loans, making it another digital building block in our response to this evolution."