Scotiabank's new mobile trading app
Product design
2021-Present
Research
Information architecture
Design system
Wireframe and prototyping
User journeys
UI+UX design
Usability testing
Developer handoff
Scotia iTRADE is Scotiabank’s self-directed investing platform, used by thousands of retail and wealth investors. As fintech startups began redefining the trading experience, it became clear that the Scotia iTRADE app needed to evolve to stay competitive.
I led the redesign of the mobile trading app, transforming it from a 1-star-rated, poorly received product into a modern, 4-star platform. This case study highlights key aspects of my work, including designing core features, building a scalable design system, and streamlining team processes.
Available in the App Store & Google Play
1 — Challenge
Trading apps can be overwhelming for new users and frustrating for experienced traders. After a decade without updates, the Scotia iTRADE app had fallen behind:
Outdated design and poor user experience: the interface was visually inconsistent, difficult to use, and not aligned with native mobile standards.
Limited functionality: Although the app provided basic features such as quotes and trading, it lacked essential tools that modern traders expect, including research tools, projections, and in-depth portfolio analysis.
Shifting audience: The primary user base skewed towards older clients (50+), but a growing under-40 market demanded a faster and more intuitive mobile experience.
1 — Challenge
Trading apps can be overwhelming for new users and frustrating for experienced traders. After a decade without updates, the Scotia iTRADE app had fallen behind:
Outdated design and poor user experience: the interface was visually inconsistent, difficult to use, and not aligned with native mobile standards.
Limited functionality: Although the app provided basic features such as quotes and trading, it lacked essential tools that modern traders expect, including research tools, projections, and in-depth portfolio analysis.
Shifting audience: The primary user base skewed towards older clients (50+), but a growing under-40 market demanded a faster and more intuitive mobile experience.
1 — Challenge
Trading apps can be overwhelming for new users and frustrating for experienced traders. After a decade without updates, the Scotia iTRADE app had fallen behind:
Outdated design and poor user experience: the interface was visually inconsistent, difficult to use, and not aligned with native mobile standards.
Limited functionality: Although the app provided basic features such as quotes and trading, it lacked essential tools that modern traders expect, including research tools, projections, and in-depth portfolio analysis.
Shifting audience: The primary user base skewed towards older clients (50+), but a growing under-40 market demanded a faster and more intuitive mobile experience.
2 — Opportunity
Mobile trading was growing rapidly, particularly among younger and more tech-savvy investors.
Fintech apps were setting new standards for usability, performance and feature offerings. This presented an opportunity to rebuild Scotia iTRADE into a product that could compete with modern trading experiences, attract younger mobile-first investors, and showcase Scotiabank’s commitment to innovation in the wealth space.
2 — Opportunity
Mobile trading was growing rapidly, particularly among younger and more tech-savvy investors.
Fintech apps were setting new standards for usability, performance and feature offerings. This presented an opportunity to rebuild Scotia iTRADE into a product that could compete with modern trading experiences, attract younger mobile-first investors, and showcase Scotiabank’s commitment to innovation in the wealth space.
2 — Opportunity
Mobile trading was growing rapidly, particularly among younger and more tech-savvy investors.
Fintech apps were setting new standards for usability, performance and feature offerings. This presented an opportunity to rebuild Scotia iTRADE into a product that could compete with modern trading experiences, attract younger mobile-first investors, and showcase Scotiabank’s commitment to innovation in the wealth space.
3 — Design goals
We focused on four key goals to guide the redesign:
Modern and timeless: Create a visually appealing interface that feels distinct yet remains aligned with Scotiabank’s brand and can evolve over time.
Empowering and intuitive: Enable clients to complete all key tasks, such as trading, moving funds, and managing portfolios, without relying on the call centre.
Feature-rich and competitive: Add essential tools like research, quotes, and portfolio insights to help clients act quickly and confidently.
Consistent and scalable: Implement reusable patterns and native iOS/Android components to optimize performance and streamline delivery.
3 — Design goals
We focused on four key goals to guide the redesign:
Modern and timeless: Create a visually appealing interface that feels distinct yet remains aligned with Scotiabank’s brand and can evolve over time.
Empowering and intuitive: Enable clients to complete all key tasks, such as trading, moving funds, and managing portfolios, without relying on the call centre.
Feature-rich and competitive: Add essential tools like research, quotes, and portfolio insights to help clients act quickly and confidently.
Consistent and scalable: Implement reusable patterns and native iOS/Android components to optimize performance and streamline delivery.
3 — Design goals
We focused on four key goals to guide the redesign:
Modern and timeless: Create a visually appealing interface that feels distinct yet remains aligned with Scotiabank’s brand and can evolve over time.
Empowering and intuitive: Enable clients to complete all key tasks, such as trading, moving funds, and managing portfolios, without relying on the call centre.
Feature-rich and competitive: Add essential tools like research, quotes, and portfolio insights to help clients act quickly and confidently.
Consistent and scalable: Implement reusable patterns and native iOS/Android components to optimize performance and streamline delivery.
4 — Design systems
To support a faster and more consistent design and development process, I led the creation of a unified design system:
Cross-platform component library: Built for both iOS and Android to ensure visual and interactive consistency across platforms.
Documentation standards: Developed detailed specs, behaviour guidelines, and accessibility criteria to help developers implement designs efficiently and accurately.
4 — Design systems
To support a faster and more consistent design and development process, I led the creation of a unified design system:
Cross-platform component library: Built for both iOS and Android to ensure visual and interactive consistency across platforms.
Documentation standards: Developed detailed specs, behaviour guidelines, and accessibility criteria to help developers implement designs efficiently and accurately.
4 — Design systems
To support a faster and more consistent design and development process, I led the creation of a unified design system:
Cross-platform component library: Built for both iOS and Android to ensure visual and interactive consistency across platforms.
Documentation standards: Developed detailed specs, behaviour guidelines, and accessibility criteria to help developers implement designs efficiently and accurately.
5 — Accessibility
Accessibility was built into every stage of design. I ensured full screen-reader compatibility through iOS VoiceOver and Android TalkBack, creating a more inclusive trading experience for all users.
5 — Accessibility
Accessibility was built into every stage of design. I ensured full screen-reader compatibility through iOS VoiceOver and Android TalkBack, creating a more inclusive trading experience for all users.
5 — Accessibility
Accessibility was built into every stage of design. I ensured full screen-reader compatibility through iOS VoiceOver and Android TalkBack, creating a more inclusive trading experience for all users.
6 — Key features
Shipped 10+ features. I designed and refined several core experiences that modernized the direct investing journey:
Trading: Simplified the end-to-end flow so clients can place trades in fewer steps and with greater confidence.
Transfers: Streamlined the process for moving funds between accounts with clear confirmation states and error handling.
Projected income: Visualized dividend and income projections to help clients plan future investments.
Other features included a Move Money hub, custom trading defaults, portfolio asset mix, trading alerts, optional access code security, and support for dark theme.
6 — Key features
Shipped 10+ features. I designed and refined several core experiences that modernized the direct investing journey:
Trading: Simplified the end-to-end flow so clients can place trades in fewer steps and with greater confidence.
Transfers: Streamlined the process for moving funds between accounts with clear confirmation states and error handling.
Projected income: Visualized dividend and income projections to help clients plan future investments.
Other features included a Move Money hub, custom trading defaults, portfolio asset mix, trading alerts, optional access code security, and support for dark theme.
6 — Key features
Shipped 10+ features. I designed and refined several core experiences that modernized the direct investing journey:
Trading: Simplified the end-to-end flow so clients can place trades in fewer steps and with greater confidence.
Transfers: Streamlined the process for moving funds between accounts with clear confirmation states and error handling.
Projected income: Visualized dividend and income projections to help clients plan future investments.
Other features included a Move Money hub, custom trading defaults, portfolio asset mix, trading alerts, optional access code security, and support for dark theme.
7 — Outcomes
The redesigned app launched in 2022 after a year of development and delivered measurable results:
4-star app rating
App Store and Google Play ratings increased from 1 to 4 stars.
+600% mobile-only users
Mobile-only users increased from 5% to 35% of total clients, reflecting stronger confidence in the app experience.
3× mobile trades
Mobile trading volume tripled, from 11% to 35% of total trades.
–70% support calls
Contact centre calls related to the app declined by over 70% within the last 6 months, showing higher client self-sufficiency.
7 — Outcomes
The redesigned app launched in 2022 after a year of development and delivered measurable results:
4-star app rating
App Store and Google Play ratings increased from 1 to 4 stars.
+600% mobile-only users
Mobile-only users increased from 5% to 35% of total clients, reflecting stronger confidence in the app experience.
3× mobile trades
Mobile trading volume tripled, from 11% to 35% of total trades.
–70% support calls
Contact centre calls related to the app declined by over 70% within the last 6 months, showing higher client self-sufficiency.
7 — Outcomes
The redesigned app launched in 2022 after a year of development and delivered measurable results:
4-star app rating
App Store and Google Play ratings increased from 1 to 4 stars.
+600% mobile-only users
Mobile-only users increased from 5% to 35% of total clients, reflecting stronger confidence in the app experience.
3× mobile trades
Mobile trading volume tripled, from 11% to 35% of total trades.
–70% support calls
Contact centre calls related to the app declined by over 70% within the last 6 months, showing higher client self-sufficiency.