Combining personal finance management tools with Wells Fargo banking, the Greenhouse experience will help consumers pay bills on time, spend confidently, and start to build a savings cushion — all while providing personalized insights through artificial intelligence to help them stay on track.
Greenhouse, a standalone mobile app, will be available in a limited, national pilot in the first quarter of 2018 and will launch for Apple iPhone® users during the first half of 2018.
Avid Modjtabai, head of Payments, Virtual Solutions and Innovation at Wells Fargo, made the announcement onstage at The BancAnalysts Association of Boston Conference in Boston.
“We believe the Greenhouse experience will appeal to a broad base of consumers, many of whom have several income sources or are paid infrequently, which can make budgeting a challenge,” said Modjtabai. “Whether you are new to banking, don’t have regular paychecks, or typically manage money with cash, we believe the Greenhouse experience can help you manage day-to-day spending while planning for the future.”
Within minutes of downloading the Greenhouse app, consumers can be up and running safely and securely from wherever they are.
Greenhouse customers will have:
Intuitive money management with two accounts that work together: one account for weekly spending tied to their debit card, and one account dedicated to savings and bills. In this account, customers can set aside money to build a savings cushion as well as for specific expenses, such as rent or a phone bill. The app ties the two bank accounts together and provides spending trend visualizations, personalized insights based on an artificial intelligence engine, and key reminders to help customers stay on track and reach their financial goals.
Immediate access to their Greenhouse accounts: real-time debit card use with a mobile wallet tied to the weekly spending account, access to both accounts at more than 13,000 Wells Fargo ATMs, and the convenience of approximately 5,900 retail bank branches.
The ability to send and receive payments: access to the Zelle? peer-to-peer payments network to receive and send payments to almost anyone with a U.S. bank account.
In addition, Greenhouse customers will never incur bank overdraft fees when using the new experience, and purchases and payments that would overdraw the accounts will generally not be processed.
“Many people manage money with a rear-view mirror approach, only looking backwards at the end of each month,” said Steve Ellis, head of the Innovation Group at Wells Fargo. “The Greenhouse experience helps consumers take control of their financial health by enabling them to become more hands-on with their finances. From creating a weekly spending budget, to working toward financial goals, the customer is in control — all on a mobile phone.”
Financial health is a challenge for many. Research shows that 57 percent of Americans are struggling financially1, and 44 percent say they would not be able to cover a $400 emergency expense without selling something or borrowing money2.
To help more Americans feel more stable and prepared for life’s opportunities and challenges, Wells Fargo is providing a growing set of services that make it easier for all customers to know where they stand. The services also help customers make more informed financial decisions based on their specific needs and goals, including a conversation about financial health that currently is available through the Wells Fargo phone bank and will be offered by bankers in Wells Fargo branches next year.
The launch of the Greenhouse experience in 2018 will be the initial version, with additional enhancements and tools planned based on customer feedback.
