OCBC Digital Silvers Programme targets 10,000 “digitally shy” elderly

The bank kicked off the programme in 2024 with a carnival-style event at Bishan Community Club.

OCBC is targeting to help 10,000 “digitally shy” elderly by the end-2024 under its OCBC Digital Silvers Programme.

The programme aims to help seniors learn how to make QR payments, perform cardless cash withdrawals, and use anti-scam security features– three digital skills that OCBC identifies as “essential” for the current digitalised world.

To reach its target, OCBC will expand beyond conducting workshops in its branches and will host mini carnivals and outreach activities at community centres and housing board pavilions. OCBC said that it plans to invite beneficiaries for various charities to attend them.

OCBC said that it has planned at least 5 such community events in 2024, with 600 “digitally shy” elderly having already participated in the pilot versions of the community events. 

Meanwhile, this year’s programme kicked off at a carnival held at the Bishan Community Club on 15 June and was attended by 800 seniors– 240 of whic hare beneficiaries from various charities.

Before the expansion, over 3,600 seniors have reportedly gone through the programme, according to OCBC.

OCBC noted noticeable changes in participant behavior within the first 60 days of attending the workshop. 

“Amongst past OCBC participants, the proportion of customers who physically went to a branch for basic banking needs dropped by 76%. PayNow transactions among this group also surged by 28%,” OCBC said in a statement.

“Additionally, none of the workshop participants reported being a victim of a scam to OCBC, demonstrating that the programme goes some way in increasing the resilience of elderly customers against scams,” the bank said.