ChatCenter iO helped Japan’s Biggest Bank, Mizuho, to Test New Conversation-based Channels for Banking

ChatCenter iO has helped Japan’s biggest bank, Mizuho, to test new conversation-based channels for Banking, at 500 Startups’ office in San Francisco, California.

AppSocially Inc. has supported Mizuho Bank, Ltd. (hereinafter “Mizuho”, Nobuhide Hayashi, President and CEO) for its experiments on CUI (Conversational User Interface) of new financial communication services through Facebook bot (*1) and new banking services with an Alexa skill prototype for Amazon Echo (*2) collaborating with Information Services International-Dentsu,Ltd. (Setsuo Kamai, President and CEO) and Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.(hereinafter “NRI”, Shingo Konomoto, President and CEO).

Mizuho Bank, Ltd. is the integrated retail and corporate banking unit of Mizuho Financial Group, one of the largest financial services companies in Japan, with total assets of approximately $1.64 trillion in 2014 (source).

ChatCenter iO is the business-customer communication platform provided by AppSocially Inc. that makes the most of design and data, with chat and bot/AI, to reduce the cost of customer services and, at the same time, to maximize customer satisfaction. Since it’s private launch back in September 2015, it has already been used by multiple enterprise customers in Japan. ChatCenter iO is planned to be launched in the US on September 1st. If you are planing to use ChatCenter iO, or like to know the boarder of human (manual communication through great UX) and machine (automated communication with bot/AI), please signup here, and we will contact you shortly.

Please read Mizuho Bank’s release, included below:

August 15,2016
Mizuho Bank, Ltd.
Information Services International-Dentsu, Ltd.
Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.

Mizuho experimented CUI in Silicon Valley

～New Channel/Communication with Amazon Echo and Facebook bot

Mizuho Bank, Ltd. (hereinafter “Mizuho”, Nobuhide Hayashi, President and CEO) has conducted two experiments of new financial communication services through Facebook bot (*1)and new banking services with an Alexa skill prototype for Amazon Echo(*2) in Silicon Valley, collaborating with Information Services International-Dentsu,Ltd. (Setsuo Kamai, President and CEO) and Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.(hereinafter “NRI”, Shingo Konomoto, President and CEO).

CUI (Conversational User Interface) is drawing the most attention for next generation internet platform as the next way of channel/communication to provide financial information and services using AI and chat. CUI is also focused as new internet infrastructure after WEB and Apps.

Regarding these Trial, Mizuho, NRI and ISI-Dentsu of America,Inc. developed prototypes. We worked in close collaboration with AppSocially(Pioneer Corporation of CUI based in U.S. offering Chat Center iO), 500Startups(Venture Capital, investing more than 1,500 Startups in over 50 countries) and WiL(Venture Capital, promoting the collaboration between Startups and large Corporations).

Mizuho, ISID, NRI have been pursuing to provide the No.1 Convenience for our customers such as producing new innovative services through smart device, tablet and wearable etc. including channel ([Mizuho Messenger] etc.). We will continue to accelerate these future actions.
Area

Summary of Trial

Facebook bot: With automatic chat format response using Facebook bot, developing the new messenger prototype of guiding customer at our website about opening new account procedure. It is also possible to connect to Mizuho Messenger which is currently in service.

Amazon Echo: By connecting between Amazon Echo( unreleased in Japan) and Mizuho’s Smartphone Banking App, through a prototype of an Alexa skill, developing the new banking prototype for customers will be able to confirm the balance of a bank account through voice operation. Mizuho is looking forward to launching the service to our Japanese bank account holders in U.S. at a later time.

(*1)Facebook bot : This service is developed and provided by Facebook Ltd. It is an internet platform which provides answers appropriately through analyzing information entered by text format over utilizing AI.

(*2)Amazon Echo : It is a hands-free speaker you control with your voice that is available in the U.S. only. Echo connects to the Alexa Voice Service to play music, provide information and gives customers access to thousands of Alexa skills.

The experiment was held at 500 Startups’ San Francisco office, having Mike Sigal, EIR of FinTech track of 500 Startups (right).

Mike Sigal, EIR of FinTech track of 500 Startups, shaking hand with Satoshi Nishimoto, Senior Digital Strategist of Incubation PT of Mizuho Financial Group, at 500 Startups’ San Francisco office.

About AppSocially Inc.

AppSocially Inc. is a San Francisco-based team of growth experts, founded in February 2013. It was invited and participated in 500 Startups’ seed accelerator program in April 2013, to start its Headquarter in Mountain View, California. AppSocailly has been growing by helping businesses grow, and it had been providing “AppSocially” (customer acquisition tools for mobile app developers) and made a successful pivot to “ChatCenter iO” (customer support platform for businesses with chat and bots). Now it has grown to 2 offices in San Francisco and Tokyo, with multi-national and experienced experts from all over the world.

• About AppSocially <http://en.about.appsocial.ly/>
• Contact: <hello@appsocial.ly>

If you are planing to use ChatCenter iO, or like to know the optimal boarder of human (manual communication through great UX) and machine (automated communication with bot/AI) for your business, please signup here, and we will contact you shortly. ;)