Zhejiang Commercial Bank Hefei Branch: Strengthening Consumer Financial Rights Protection with Technology

From Xinhua Finance

Since the beginning of this year, Zhejiang Merchants Bank Hefei Branch has leveraged its core advantages in financial technology, focusing on key areas such as data security, network risk prevention, information protection, and age-friendly services. The branch has implemented multiple measures to promote financial consumer rights protection education and awareness, using technological strength to build a solid barrier for consumer safety and convey the warmth of financial services.

Technology Renewal, Safeguarding Data Security. Zhejiang Merchants Bank Hefei Branch always prioritizes data confidentiality, relying on the bank’s comprehensive, multi-layered data security protection system to cover the entire data lifecycle—from collection, transmission, storage, use, to destruction. Through techniques such as hierarchical permission management, real-time monitoring of operational behavior, and intelligent early warning of abnormal risks, the branch strictly prevents risks like data leakage, tampering, and misuse. These measures eliminate illegal access to consumer information at the technical source. Additionally, adhering to the principles of “user authorization, minimal necessary access, and full protection,” the branch strengthens security management throughout the data lifecycle, ensuring every piece of consumer data is tightly guarded, making financial consumption safer and more secure.

Technology Escort, Strengthening Network Defense. To address current risks in internet finance such as phishing, Trojan viruses, and fake base station scams, Zhejiang Merchants Bank Hefei Branch relies on technological power to enhance risk early warning and promotional guidance. By innovating outreach methods—creating popular educational infographics, short videos, and other engaging content—the branch vividly illustrates telecom and online scams, false financial promotions, and other traps. These materials are widely disseminated through employee social media, branch display screens, and online-offline channels, raising consumer awareness about internet safety: avoid clicking unfamiliar links, do not easily disclose sensitive personal information, refrain from transferring money to unknown accounts, and regularly update device security software. Consumers are also reminded to securely store their account passwords, use security tools like U-shields and SMS verification codes responsibly, and improve their self-protection capabilities.

Technology Empowerment, Protecting Privacy. Desensitization of personal sensitive information is a key practice in technology safeguarding privacy. For common sensitive data such as ID numbers, bank card numbers, and phone numbers in financial services, Zhejiang Merchants Bank Hefei Branch relies on innovative technologies like privacy computing and data desensitization to achieve “usable but invisible” service effects. Through smart desensitization of consumer personal information across mobile banking, online banking, and self-service terminals, the branch ensures normal transaction processing without affecting user experience, while effectively preventing illegal theft and misuse of sensitive data. This approach supports compliant data sharing and joint risk prevention, enhancing service efficiency and achieving a win-win situation of data protection and service optimization.

Technology for Good, Caring for Senior Rights. Addressing the “unable or afraid to use” dilemma faced by elderly users in digital finance, Zhejiang Merchants Bank Hefei Branch focuses on bridging the digital divide among seniors. By empowering age-friendly technological upgrades, the branch makes smart financial services more warm and accessible. In line with regulatory requirements, the bank continuously upgrades its mobile and online banking platforms for seniors, launching “Senior Versions” with optimized interfaces, enlarged fonts and icons, and simplified operations—making it easier for the elderly to see, understand, and use. The branch also promotes portable smart service terminals to provide on-site assistance for seniors with mobility issues, bridging the “last mile” in digital financial access. Additionally, simple operation manuals and short video tutorials are produced to guide seniors step-by-step in using smart devices, spreading cybersecurity knowledge, and helping them overcome the digital divide so they can enjoy the convenience of technology with peace of mind. (Wu Chao)

Editor: Zhao Ding