Key Requirements in Mobile Banking Design for Sustainable Decision-Making

Abstract

Sustainability has become a practical necessity rather than a theoretical ideal because of increasing environmental challenges and consumption-driven lifestyles. In this context, user experience (UX) design offers significant potential to support sustainable habit formation through digital behavior-change interventions. Mobile banking applications, which are widely adopted tools embedded in everyday financial routines, provide a suitable environment for integrating sustainability-oriented interaction mechanisms. This study aims to identify key design requirements that support sustainable decision-making in mobile banking applications and propose a user-centered conceptual model grounded in behavioral change theories. Adopting a Research through Design (RtD) and Design Thinking approach, the study combines a literature review of behavioural change models with a needs analysis based on a user survey and case study evaluations. As a synthesis of these stages, the Deneko prototype was developed to enhance users’ financial and environmental awareness, encourage positive habit formation through small and incremental actions, and strengthen motivation through community-based interaction. The conceptual framework of Deneko is structured around three dimensions: Balance, Experimentation, and Community. Interaction mechanisms, such as personalized goals, progress tracking, gamification, micro-rewards, and social interaction, were implemented in alignment with established behavioral change models. The findings indicate that behavior change–oriented interaction mechanisms can enhance user motivation and support sustainable decision-making processes in mobile banking experiences.