Bank of the West, a subsidiary of BNP Paribas, launched Digital Doors on February 24, 2022 in collaboration with Mastercard. Digital Doors provides resources and interactive tools to help small business owners establish, grow and protect their online presence.
Shifts towards digitalization
Impacts of COVID-19 and recent shifts in consumer behavior have prompted business owners to accelerate their move to online platforms. According to Mastercard research, 76 percent of small business owners across North America suggest the pandemic prompted them to make their businesses more digital. 64 percent say digitally managing their business is a challenge.
“Now more than ever, having the right digital presence is an essential part of a business’s strategy and success,” said Michelle Di Gangi, Executive Vice President, Head of Small & Medium Enterprise Banking at Bank of the West. “Bank of the West and Mastercard launched Digital Doors to help small businesses deliver superior customer experiences, stay competitive and thrive online.”
To read more about the digital transformation, check out Digital Transformation: 2023’s Looming, So It’s Now or Never
About the platform
The Digital Doors platform helps small business owners digitally ready their businesses, move their storefronts online and accept digital payments. It also provides cybersecurity guidance to help protect businesses and their customers. Each section within the platform contains educational resources, Bank of the West solutions, Mastercard tools and collaborator offers. The platform’s tools enable businesses to seize their online opportunity.
“When the pandemic hit in 2020, I wasn’t set up to handle online orders. I had to teach myself how to quickly set up an entire online store to serve my customers and stay in business,” said Hannalee Pervan, Owner and Head Chef of One House Bakery. “Tools like Digital Doors are so important for entrepreneurs. I’m always looking for digital tools that help me save time, make life easier for my employees and improve my customers’ experience.”
“As the shift to digital continues, it is imperative we provide the tools and resources to help small businesses get online, grow their operations and secure the right tools to digitally transform,” said Ginger Siegel, North America Small Business Lead at Mastercard. “Together with Bank of the West, we are thrilled to expand our Digital Doors initiative. Together, we can further our joint mission in helping the small business community better understand and expand their digital capabilities.”
Getting started
Business owners can begin the digitization process by completing the Mastercard Small Business Digital Readiness Diagnostic. This tool allows business owners to assess their business with custom recommendations and benchmark their existing capabilities.
Mastercard Digital Doors is just the latest offering from Bank of the West’s targeted support of small businesses. Programs specifically aimed towards women- and minority-owned businesses include the Bank’s “WE” Source Program. This program is designed to help women entrepreneurs establish and grow their businesses. The recently launched Means & Matters podcast highlights women changing the status quo in business.
Digital Doors is available for small business owners here.
About Bank of the West
At Bank of the West, we know money deposited in a bank has the power to finance positive change. So we are taking action to ensure our activities help protect the planet, improve people’s lives, and strengthen communities. We are redefining banking for a better future. We’re focusing on areas where we believe we can have a real impact: supporting energy transition, helping enable women entrepreneurs and financing innovative start-ups. As the bank for a changing world, Bank of the West stays committed to sustainable finance along with our parent company BNP Paribas. Through Digital Channels and offices across the U.S., Bank of the West provides financial tools and resources to more than two million individuals, families and businesses.
About Mastercard
Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere. We’re making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all. Find out more here.
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