Case study
✦
BuddyBank by UniCredit
Pioneering mobile-first banking with simplicity, speed, and inclusion.
+410k
Active users
+80k
New users each year
About the client
BuddyBank was one of the first mobile-first banking apps in Italy and Europe. With rapid growth and a focus on simplicity, speed, and inclusivity, it quickly became a pioneer in the online banking sector before being acquired by UniCredit, one of the leading banking groups across Europe and the EMEA region.
By adopting a fully mobile-first approach, BuddyBank revolutionized digital banking experiences. Its intuitive user journey allowed the platform to surpass one million users in record time, setting new standards for accessibility and user-centric innovation within the financial industry.
Overview
Role
Accessibility Expert (WCAG Auditor)
Sector
Online Banking
Period
June 2021 - August 2021
Platforms
B2C iOS App
Responsabilities
Conducted in-depth accessibility audits and testing across product flows
Developed operational methodologies to integrate accessibility into daily design and development practices
Trained development teams to embed WCAG compliance into their workflow and future releases
key deliverables
Comprehensive Accessibility Audit Report aligned with WCAG 2.2 AA standards
Actionable guidelines for resolving accessibility issues across UX, UI, and front-end development
Challenge
My role
As an Accessibility Expert, I was responsible for conducting a comprehensive analysis of the existing app and proposing actionable solutions for each identified issue. My work focused on both auditing the current state and delivering practical remediation strategies.
In parallel, I organized training sessions for designers and developers, providing practical tools and rapid verification methodologies. The goal was to enable the teams to maintain accessibility compliance independently over time, without relying solely on external audits.
What was my contribution?
Structuring Accessibility Foundations
WCAG 2.2 Audit Framework Creation:
I developed a structured Excel document covering every WCAG 2.2 AA criterion, including pass/fail outcomes, contextual notes, and actionable remediation tasks to streamline corrections.
Current State Evaluation (As-Is Analysis):
Using the new audit framework, I assessed BuddyBank's app, identifying critical issues such as insufficient color contrast, lack of keyboard navigation, and inadequate support for assistive technologies.
Empowering Teams for Long-Term Compliance
Training Design and Development Teams:
Through targeted workshops, I transferred practical best practices to ensure accessibility would become a natural, integrated part of both creative and technical workflows, rather than an afterthought.
Building a Practical Compliance Checklist:
I created an actionable and ready-to-use checklist to guide designers and developers in applying accessibility standards from the earliest stages of feature conception.
Embedding Accessibility into Product DNA
Operationalizing Accessibility from Day One:
By embedding the methodology directly into design and development workflows, we enabled the teams to autonomously maintain WCAG compliance across future releases — reducing reliance on external audits.
Results and impact
REGULATORY RISK MITIGATION
Avoided potential European sanctions related to accessibility non-compliance.
INCLUSIVE USER BASE EXPANSION
Extended service access to a broader audience of users with disabilities, improving app accessibility and inclusivity.
AUTONOMOUS TEAM ENABLEMENT
Completed training, enabling BuddyBank's teams to independently maintain WCAG 2.2 AA compliance for future releases.
REPUTATIONAL GROWTH IN BANKING SECTOR
Strengthened BuddyBank's brand positioning as an innovative and inclusive banking app.
Final thoughts
On a personal level, having friends with disabilities made this project even more meaningful. Contributing to making online banking more accessible was not just a technical task, but a true ethical commitment. This project reaffirmed a core belief: design must first serve people, before serving business. It strengthened my conviction about the human value at the heart of our work.
