Project Overview：

The Internal Trading AI Platform improves usability, enhancing navigation and data interpretation for faster access to real-time information. With advanced analytics and efficient trade execution, it reduces risks and helps traders make informed decisions.

Problem：

Usability issues on the current platform hinder real-time data access and trade execution, leading to missed opportunities and increased risks.

Timeline：

• Sprint 1: Research & Discovery – User interviews and workflow analysis.
• Sprint 2: Design & Prototyping – Wireframes, prototypes, and usability testing.
• Sprint 3: Development Collaboration – Check design feasibility, document components.
• Sprint 4: Testing & Launch – Final usability tests, feedback loop.

Team：

• 2 Product Managers
• 2 Developer Teams
• 3 Data Scientists
• 2 UX Researchers
• 2 Product Designers
• 1-2 Financial Team Members

Metrics for Success：

• User Satisfaction: Measured by surveys.
• Trade Execution Time: Target 20% reduction.
• User Error Rate: 15% reduction in errors.
• Feature Adoption Rate: Track new feature use.
• Engagement with Visualizations: Monitor usage patterns.

Key Responsibilities：

• Conduct user research, design flows and prototypes, and integrate feedback.
• Collaborate with developers to ensure design feasibility.

Deliverables：

• User Personas & Journey Maps
• Wireframes & Prototypes
• Design Mockups & Style Guide
• Findings & User Feedback
• Design Specs Document
• Final Design Assets

Problem Identified

Background

Acronyms is a consolidated Citi platform linking Federal and Management reporting, analytics and systems across Finance, Risk, Assessments and Compliance ensuring the usage of a common taxonomy globally. Insight is supported by the core Technology Services within global functions technology services organization. This app is web based.

Citi Investment is known for delivering high returns both in the short and long term and providing steady cash flow for each investment. The global investment sector is expected to reach a market size of $1 trillion by 2030 and contribute 13% to the US investment market by 2025.

The Problems

Values:

Integrity and transparency in all team interactions.

Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Building long-term investment strategies based on trust and mutual respect.

Validation of Problem

From a survery of 139/ 500 interal employees and 25 face to face interviews. The survey is designed for each internal investing team- based on current tools and future perspectives.

Data Reveals

• Many employees have active investment ideas but haven’t shared with other teams
• Eployee’s ideas often involve high-return fixed assets that are specific to their departments and projects
• They generally avoid market risk due to its lack of liquidity
• Unsure how to share ideas with other teams, employees typically either set up meetings to discuss them or keep them in their own team folders

Highlights

When communication breaks down in financial markets, it can lead to significant issues, including substantial losses for investors. Increased volatility can result, with lack of timely information doubling stock return volatility (NBER). Delays in news dissemination can cause asset mispricing that lasts up to 30 days (Journal of Financial Economics)

Highlights

When communication breaks down in financial markets, it can lead to significant issues, including substantial losses for investors. Increased volatility can result, with lack of timely information doubling stock return volatility (NBER).

Delays in news dissemination can cause asset mispricing that lasts up to 30 days (Journal of Financial Economics).

Operational disruptions can occur, increasing transaction errors by 15%(IOSCO).

Additionally, 40% of investors suffer losses from outdated or incomplete information (Financial Analysts Journal). Improving communication and transparency is essential for maintaining a stable and effective market

— A report by Citigroup Stock Economic Report.

Value Generated

-For Users (Interal employees)

• Access detailed liquidity reports with ratios.
• Obtain real-time data and trends.
• Use advanced tools for scenario modeling and cash flow forecasting.
• Compare with industry benchmarks to assess relative investment performance.

For New Platform

-Tapping into a new market with great potential and profit

• Increase in revenue
• First mover advantage
• Making the investment mainstream and accessible

Why should we solve this problem now?

• Stock Market Expansion

  According to Citi Bank data, retail investor activity in the stock market has seen remarkable growth.As of Q2 2024, the number of new retail trading accounts has increased by 18 million, with 14 million at NSE and 4 million at BSE. Retail investors now represent 54% of total market turnover, a significant rise from 49% in Q1 2023, demonstrating their growing prominence in market transactions.

• Treasury Investments Growth

  Citi Bank reports a substantial rise in treasury investments, with a 22% increase in holdings of government securities over the past year, bringing the total to $1.5 trillion. This surge reflects heightened investor interest in low-risk assets amid ongoing economic uncertainties and shifts in interest rate policies.

• Limited Exposure/ Untapped Opportunities

  Despite the growth in treasury investments, there remains limited exposure to certain treasury securities such as inflation-linked bonds and variable rate notes. Investors have opportunities to enhance their portfolios by exploring these lesser-known segments through Citi Bank’s specialized treasury investment products or advisory services.

• Minefield of Data

  Citi Bank’s extensive data analytics provide valuable insights into the treasury market, including real -time interest rate forecasts, bond performance metrics, and macroeconomic indicators. Utilizing these resources can help investors navigate the complexities of treasury investments and optimize their strategies.

Design 1: First Launch

Target

This design aims to create a seamless experience for users from the moment of launch, ensuring they can easily navigate the tool, access essential information, and provide feedback for continuous improvement.

Features

• Our users don’t have a quick overview of the data and statistics on their data in order to have a sense of what tasks they should prepare for.
• Users want information and actions to be closely integrated, so that they can take action once they understand issues.
• The color stripe will lead the components of the data in the column. We also use a green color to make the chart stand out over the entire worksheet design.
• The filter on the top right will lead users to a Data Quality Overview, from where users would be able to view the data, and separate it into three different groups.

Wireframs Brainstorm

The process begins with wireframe brainstorming, focusing on understanding users’ problems and needs. This is combined with the business’s objectives to create a cohesive vision. The integration of user insights and business goals informs the wireframes, ensuring the designs are both appealing and functional. These wireframes serve as the foundation for enhancing user satisfaction and achieving business success.

Aligned with Current Visual Guidelines

• Follow Color Schemes: Make sure you use the approved color palette and color combinations. This includes primary, secondary, and accent colors
• Keep Consistent Branding: If the guidelines include logo usage, ensure that the logo is used correctly and consistently across all materials
• Follow Color Schemes: Make sure you use the approved color palette and color combinations. This includes primary, secondary, and accent colors

• Clear Hierarchy: Uses visual hierarchy to guide the viewer’s eye and emphasize key information. This often involves size, color, and placement.
• Improved Usability: Clear and straightforward designs make it easier for users to navigate and understand the content.

Why don’t they like it?

• Rapid Changes: The field of UI design evolves quickly, with new tools, trends, and best practices emerging regularly. Keeping up can be demanding
• Expectations: Working with clients who have specific, sometimes unrealistic, expectations can make the design process stressful and less enjoyable

New ideas

• Adaptive UIs: Create UIs that adapt based on user behavior or preferences. For example, a dashboard that rearranges widgets based on which features the user interacts with most frequently
• Micro-Interactions: Design subtle animations or feedback for user actions, like a button that subtly changes color or animates when clicked. These can make the interface feel more dynamic and engaging.
• Gesture-Based Navigation: Implement gesture controls for a more intuitive navigation experience. For example, swiping, pinching, or tapping to perform actions instead of traditional buttons.
• Data Visualization: Use innovative data visualization techniques to present information in a more engaging way. This could include interactive charts, dynamic graphs, or visualizations.

Use several pieces to achieve our ideal experience

Other than the main visulization, we also had several brainstorming sessions on how to achieve other user needs, e.g.how to provide a easy and quick access of KPIS for users and how to guide them from insights to final decisions/ actions.

Make it interactive: Contacts + Interactions

Explore OR Dig Deep

The final visual 1 – Value Generated

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Here are some other exploration and the final visual :

The final visual 1

• Ease of Use: Design interactions that are easy to learn and remember. Users should be able to accomplish their goals with minimal effort.
• Straightforward Navigation: Ensure that users can easily find their way around without confusion.
• Consistent Language: Use clear, consistent terminology and icons that users can easily understand.

Treasury/Capital Forecasting & Analytics—Domenica Ferreyros

Goal is to find a solution that requires minimum capital,lowr isk, low time cost and tech effort,high liquidity and good returns; rated at 1 being lowest and highest

Pitfalls & Solutions