Intensely Curious

2026-01-02 · Source: Chris Shayan – Medium · Field: Business & Management — Project & Product Management, E-commerce & Digital Commerce, Corporate Strategy & Leadership · Depth: Intermediate, medium

Summary

The article criticizes modern banking applications for their poor user experience, attributing it to a fundamental lack of "intense curiosity" and craftsmanship among product development teams. Citing examples like vague refund notifications requiring manual user checks, undefined loyalty reward limits, and expired promotional offers, the author argues that these issues stem from teams prioritizing feature delivery over genuine user immersion and problem-solving. The piece highlights a disconnect where apps possess data but fail to act on it proactively, forcing users into unnecessary tasks. It posits that true craftsmanship involves a deep understanding of user needs and a commitment to resolving friction, rather than simply meeting acceptance criteria.

Key takeaway

For Product Managers and UX Leads developing financial applications, your focus should shift from merely shipping features to cultivating "intense curiosity" about user needs. Prioritize designing for high-stress scenarios and eliminate all unnecessary friction, even if it means challenging backend limitations. Your commitment to user empathy and continuous product immersion will directly impact user satisfaction and retention.

Key insights

Poor banking app UX stems from a lack of "intense curiosity" and craftsmanship in product development.

Principles

• Friction in an app is a moral failure.
• Design must function under 3 AM panic conditions.
• Immersion in user experience is non-negotiable.

Method

Product teams should adopt a "Product Editor" mindset, prioritizing subtraction of unnecessary features to enhance user experience and focus on core functionality.

In practice

• Eliminate unnecessary taps and loading screens.
• Replace jargon with clear, human-centric language.
• Actively use competitor apps to understand user pain points.

Topics

• User Experience Design
• Banking Applications
• Product Management Principles
• Digital Product Development
• Customer Empathy

Best for: Product Manager, Product Designer, Software Engineer

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Chris Shayan – Medium.