Move to help 10,000 seniors learn digital banking skills by year end

OCBC will expand programme to more locations to help digitally shy’ elderly

- Andrew Wong

Over the years, Madam Lim Swee Noy, 69, has been noticing more people scanning QR codes at shops and hawkers to make payments.

While it seemed like an easy process, the part-time customer service manager avoided using the digital payment method because she had tried it before and failed.

Said Madam Lim: “I would take so long until a queue formed behind me, so I would end up paying cash.”

There are many elderly people like her in Singapore, according to Ms Jean Oh, head of branch service and risk management at OCBC Bank.

To help equip up to 10,000 seniors with digital banking skills by the end of 2024, the bank is expanding its Digital Silvers Programme to more locations.

OCBC said it will be hosting at least five workshops, mini carnivals and outreach activities at community centres and Housing Board pavilions in the second half of 2024 to reach more seniors.

The programme aims to help seniors who are “digitally shy” – those who lack confidence using technology or may feel overwhelmed by new technology.