Ensuring accessibility of banking websites and financial management apps is becoming not only a legal issue, but also part of building trust and reputation. Banks and companies in the financial sector, operating under high standards of security and transparency, must ensure that their websites, mobile apps and payment platforms are user-friendly for all users - including people with disabilities. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are an international standard that helps achieve this goal, ensuring that every person, regardless of sensory or motor limitations, has equal access to financial services .
Dalszą część artykułu przeczytasz poniżej - pod formularzem.
Why is accessibility crucial in the finance and banking sector?
Regulatory compliance
In Poland, financial entities, like other institutions operating in the public interest, are obliged to adapt their digital platforms to WCAG requirements, especially when they benefit from EU grants or other forms of public support. The law imposes an obligation on banks to make digital content accessible in a way that makes it usable by people with different types of disabilities. Meeting these guidelines minimises the risk of sanctions and contributes to building a positive corporate image .
Increased coverage and improved user experience
Accessibility of financial platforms is also a strategic commercial asset. Enabling people with disabilities to use banking websites, financial management applications or payment systems increases the number of potential customers. In addition, the accessibility of the interface affects the overall usability of the system - intuitive navigation, readability of content and responsiveness are all features that translate into a better user experience, whatever their needs .
Reputation building and social responsibility
Companies in the financial industry that invest in the accessibility of their services gain a reputation as socially responsible businesses. Transparency and attention to equal access to financial services have a positive impact on brand image, which can translate into greater trust among customers and business partners.
Key WCAG principles in the context of financial platforms
The implementation of WCAG is based on four foundations that should be reflected in the design of banking websites and financial applications:
- Perceptibility: all information, including text, images or multimedia, must be presented in a way that allows it to be received by users with different perceptual abilities. An example is the use of alternative texts to graphics, which facilitates the use of the site by blind people using screen readers.
- Functionality: Interfaces must be fully operational - users should be able to navigate using the keyboard, and all interactive elements (e.g. buttons, login forms or transaction confirmation systems) must work smoothly and be easily accessible.
- Comprehensibility: content and messages must be clear, logical and easy to understand. In the case of banking, it is important that transaction security messages, operating instructions and financial product information are written in plain language.
- Robustness: the code of pages and applications should be standards-compliant, allowing supporting systems such as screen readers to function correctly. This ensures compatibility with future technologies and the stability of the platform.
Challenges of implementing WCAG in the financial sector
Technological complexity
Banking platforms and payment systems are characterised by high levels of security and sophisticated architecture. Implementing additional accessibility elements requires fine-tuning existing code, which can be a challenge for IT teams. Thorough testing of all interactions is necessary to ensure that the changes made do not negatively impact transaction security.
Modernisation costs
Modifying existing systems, especially those running in real time, involves additional costs. Companies need to invest in accessibility audits, staff training and the implementation of new technologies, but this translates into a better user experience and increased competitiveness in the long term.
Continuous updating of standards
WCAG standards are regularly updated, requiring companies to constantly monitor and adapt their systems. In the financial industry, where technological change happens very quickly, it is necessary to implement mechanisms that allow ongoing updates to comply with the latest guidelines.
Benefits of implementing WCAG in financial companies
Increasing the availability of services
Adapting banking websites and financial applications to WCAG requirements enables more customers to be reached. People with disabilities gain equal access to financial services, resulting in greater inclusivity and building loyalty among customers.
Increased confidence and improved image
Companies that invest in accessibility are seen as more socially responsible and ethical. This in turn translates into increased trust from customers and business partners, which is crucial in the financial sector.
Operational optimisation
Automating accessibility implementation processes (e.g. by using CMS tools such as ICEberg CMS 5) contributes to cost and time savings. Standardisation of content publication processes makes it easier to maintain WCAG compliance even with frequent content updates.
Summary
Implementing WCAG standards in Finance and Banking companies is a key step towards ensuring equal opportunities for all users. Bringing banking websites, financial management applications and payment platforms into compliance with accessibility requirements not only meets legal obligations, but also contributes to increasing reach, improving user experience and building a positive corporate image. In the face of increasing competition in the digital market, investing in accessibility becomes a strategic asset that translates into long-term success.
How does ICEberg CMS 5 help implement WCAG in the financial industry?
Implementing WCAG standards on websites requires not only advanced technical knowledge, but also the right tools to automate key tasks. ICEberg CMS 5 is a state-of-the-art content management system designed to facilitate the creation and maintenance of WCAG-compliant websites. With ICEberg CMS 5, accessibility implementation becomes more efficient, saving businesses time and resources and allowing them to focus on their business mission.
Key functionalities of ICEberg CMS 5 to support accessibility
1. Automatic generation of accessible content
ICEberg CMS 5 is equipped with modules that automatically generate alternative texts for images. This ensures that every graphic element on the page has a description, which is essential for users using screen readers. The automation of this process allows WCAG compliance to be systematically maintained without the need to manually add descriptions each time content is updated.
ICEberg CMS 5 automatically optimises forms and other interface elements for accessibility, which streamlines the work of IT and editorial teams.
2. Contrast optimisation and responsiveness
Thanks to the built-in visual editor, the system offers predefined colour schemes to meet contrast requirements - a key aspect of accessibility for people with visual impairments. ICEberg CMS 5 also takes care of the responsiveness of the pages, ensuring that interfaces are adapted to different devices and assistive technologies such as screen enlargers or voice control software.
3. Support for forms and interfaces
In finance, banking and other demanding industries, the availability of interfaces such as login, transaction and registration forms is crucial. ICEberg CMS 5 allows the creation of WCAG-compliant forms that:
- Contain appropriately labelled fields and labels,
- Are fully navigable by keyboard,
- Introduce data validation in a user-friendly manner.
4. Integration with multimedia solutions
The system allows easy integration with tools for subtitling video and transcribing audio recordings. As a result, every user - regardless of hearing limitations - has equal access to multimedia content published on the website.
ICEberg CMS 5 allows pages to be designed in accordance with WCAG guidelines, including the implementation of subtitles and transcription, which is particularly important for industries in which multimedia messages are an important element of communication.
Benefits of using ICEberg CMS 5 in the WCAG implementation process
Increased efficiency and resource savings
The automation of processes, such as the generation of alternative descriptions, optimisation of forms or responsiveness management, allows a significant reduction in implementation and accessibility maintenance costs. ICEberg CMS 5 eliminates the need for continuous manual modifications, resulting in faster implementation and reduced staff workload.
Maintain high compliance standards
With built-in auditing and reporting tools, ICEberg CMS 5 enables ongoing monitoring of the site's accessibility status. This allows rapid response to changes in WCAG requirements and ensures that the site remains compliant with the latest standards, even with frequent content updates.
Improving the user experience
Automated accessibility features translate directly into a better user experience. Intuitive navigation, clear interfaces and the availability of multimedia content make the user experience simpler and more satisfying - which is especially crucial in sectors requiring high levels of security and trust, such as banking and finance.
Summary
ICEberg CMS 5 is a tool that significantly simplifies the process of implementing WCAG standards, automating many complex tasks and integrating the functions necessary to create accessible websites. By using it, companies can not only comply with legal requirements, but also build a positive image of socially responsible organisations, saving time and resources. In the digital age, where accessibility is a key element of business strategy, ICEberg CMS 5 is a partner to rely on.
With ICEberg CMS 5, businesses can effectively manage digital content, ensuring that their sites are accessible at the highest level and building trust among all users.
How is Krakweb helping to implement WCAG in the financial industry?
Krakweb can help automate web accessibility and meet WCAG requirements in several ways:
1. Iceberg CMS 5 - an accessibility automation tool
- Built-in WCAG compliance features - Iceberg CMS 5 has mechanisms to help websites comply with accessibility standards.
- Automatic generation of accessible content - The system can support the addition of alternative text to images, correct heading structures, colour contrasts, etc.
- Personalisation for people with disabilities - Possibility to adapt the appearance and functions of the site (e.g. high contrast mode, larger font).
2. Accessibility audit and adaptation of pages
- Krakweb can audit existing pages for WCAG compliance.
- Based on the audit, it implements technical and visual corrections.
3. Training and consultation
- Assistance in understanding WCAG requirements and accessibility regulations (e.g. the Polish Accessibility Act).
- Support for IT teams and editors in creating accessible content.
4. UX and SEO optimisation for accessibility
- Adaptation of navigation, forms, user interaction.
- Improving the structure of the website, which also has a positive impact on SEO.
