State-led the first Indian bank to open a virtual shop for publicity, Union Bank of India (UBI) on July 8 launched a Metaverse-based virtual lounge where it will showcase its products to customers virtually, it said in a release.
“Uni-verse, the Metaverse virtual lounge of the bank, hosts the bank’s product information and videos in the initial phase. Uni-verse will deliver a unique banking experience to the customers who can roam around the lounge, and get information about the bank’s deposits, loans, government welfare schemes, and digital initiatives as if they are experiencing the real world. This initiative is in partnership with Tech Mahindra,” the bank said.
To be sure, Union Bank is not the first lender to open a shop in the Metaverse; US-based JPMorgan Chase & Co achieved that feat earlier this year in February.
As per sources, the country’s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) is also in the final stages of launching a Metaverse store.
JPMorgan launched its lounge on Decentraland, a Metaverse platform. The Onyx lounge is named after the multinational investment bank’s blockchain business that was established in 2020.
Visitors to the Onyx lounge can create their avatars by choosing a gender, skin tone, hairstyle, clothes and accessories. Visitors are greeted by a tiger avatar and a digital portrait of Jamie Dimon, the bank’s CEO.
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As per sources, the country’s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) is also in the final stages of launching a Metaverse store.
So, what is Metaverse and why is it important?
In simple words, Metaverse is an evolved form of the internet. The technology enables real-life experiences and situations with Augmented Reality (AR). Users can do nearly every task using Metaverse. They can visit different stores, enquire and hold conversations with different Metaverse users.
With a rise in the use of online banking services, and as lenders increase the share of online loan originations in their portfolios, both domestic and foreign lenders are keen on attracting customers through Metaverse.