Interesting content on Umræðan

Umræðan has grown since it was launched in 2016. Content is presented in an accessible manner and covers trending topics in finance as well as social developments. Material is published in a myriad of formats, as text, photos, graphic statistics, informative videos and podcasts.

In 2019, Umræðan covered various topics as usual. Several articles focused on developments in banking and finance, including What direction is banking taking? which discusses changes in banking services brought on by open banking. There was a piece on PSD2 in Europe, good reception of the first A2A payment solution and Apple Pay. Another article reviewed how financial activity has increasingly moved to smartphones.

There was a strong focus on sustainability. Articles that focused on CSR included green financing by municipalities, a discussion about how companies are evaluated based on CSR and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as they relate to Landsbankinn’s sustainability targets. Cyber security was another topic that maintained top position for another year. The Bank has placed strong emphasis on informing customers about the issue. Articles explained sextortion, a type of Internet fraud, and presented free solutions to secure email communication. The calculated psychological warfare perpetrated in cybercrime was discussed, as was investor fraud, which increased greatly in 2019.

Some good advice was extended regarding the establishment and operation of charities and the opportunities and challenges Icelandic seafood and fisheries face from altered commercial practices was reviewed. Some of the topics covered on Umræðan have links to the community and the Bank’s partners. This includes a retrospective on Iceland Airwaves with a review of thirty videos Landsbankinn has produced in collaboration with young musicians performing at the festival. An article was published on the occasion of Gay Pride, describing the Pride Parade as an important family festival and another article reviewed the Politeness Prize Landsbankinn and KSÍ present to junior football leagues. A contributor wrote about how Polish nationals living in Iceland appreciate being able to get bank services in their native tongue. There was a review of how new technology impacts the life of individuals with disabilities, a consideration that was taken into concern in the entire design and development of Landsbankinn’s app.

There was in-depth coverage of young adults and finances, incorporating interviews with several young adults on savings and advice from Landsbankinn’s specialists. A similar piece focused on young adults and the housing market.