Automation Testing in Banking Domain: The Key to Enhanced Security, Efficiency, and Compliance

In this stage, test scenarios and test cases are developed based on the requirements document. The testing team must be meticulous in encompassing all relevant scenarios, consisting of functional, security, performance, and other nonfunctional aspects.

Here’re some test cases that you can consider implementing at different testing stages:

Database testing

In a banking app, intricate transactions occur at both the UI and Database levels, making database testing essential. The database represents a complex and distinct layer within the software. To run database testing effectively, banks will need to build a high-functioning testing team that has in-depth knowledge of the database procedures, functions, indexes, keys, and sound practical SQL.

• Verify that the data fields have the appropriate format.
• Check the values of the computed field (e.g. DoB and Age).
• Evaluate whether each table has all primary keys, foreign keys, and unique index constraints.
• Check for any redundant and duplicate data.
• Verify the banking app’s performance when the database server is inaccessible.
• Examine database performance when numerous customers use the app at the same time (e.g. Multiple users try to transfer money simultaneously).
• Ensure the database backup is taken regularly.

Functional testing

As digital user experience is the top priority of the banking app, this type of testing is performed to ensure all the internal and external operations within the banking chain are effectively developed, incorporated, updated, and deleted.

• Check login functionality with valid and invalid data.
• Review how the banking app behaves if the accounts/roles/branches are generated/adjusted with invalid data.
• Check whether all the fields have a valid character limit (e.g. The ‘Credit Card Number’ field should accept values between 16 to 19 digits).
• Verify the functionality of all buttons to ensure they are clickable and perform as intended.
• Ensure that the credit/debit calculations are performed as expected.
• Evaluate the banking app installation, uninstallation, and update processes.

Security testing

Due to the sensitive nature of the banking app, developers must make additional efforts to safeguard user data against cyber attacks and fraudulent activities. A QA team conducting security testing must ensure that the application complies with security regulations and standards such as OWASP.

• Verify how the app responds to numerous invalid logins.
• Check whether password requirements are strong enough.
• Check whether all the user IDs and passwords are encrypted.
• Verify if the app has a robust user authentication process in place (e.g. Besides the traditional User ID and Password, users may be prompted to enter CAPTCHA as an additional security measure).
• Ensure proper session timeout mechanisms are implemented (e.g. users should be automatically logged out after a period of inactivity).
• Check whether the URLs have sensitive information.

Read more: The Role of Automation in API Security Testing

Performance testing

During specific time frames, such as payday, the end of the financial year, and festive seasons, there may be fluctuations or surges in-app traffic. To ensure customers do not experience performance failures during these periods, comprehensive performance testing should be conducted.

• Check app performance when numerous banking users log in at the same time or use the same functionality simultaneously (e.g. All the users try to transfer the money).
• Ensure the app runs smoothly when network connectivity is slow/ goes down/ keeps fluctuating between low and high speed (e.g. During an ongoing transaction if the network has a sudden fluctuation).
• Evaluate the app’s performance when the battery is low, medium, high, or charging.

Usability testing

Usability testing is essential for any banking app, as it caters to a diverse range of users, from tech-savvy individuals to those less familiar with technology. The objective of this kind of testing is to check the level of app ergonomics and assess how well it is prepared for users with particular needs.

• Check whether the user is able to navigate through the app smoothly.
• Verify the visibility and clarity of important messages and buttons on the page (e.g. During the transaction process, essential messages should be displayed clearly using larger fonts and darker colors, to enhance visibility and user comprehension).
• Ensure all the links and buttons have text that is easy to understand.
• Verify whether error and warning messages are self-explanatory.

Explore more: Banking Domain Application Testing

User acceptance testing (UAT)

UAT ensures that the developed banking system meets the specified business requirements. Moreover, as banking systems often deal with sensitive financial data, and any flaws or errors in the system can pose significant risks, UAT helps identify and mitigate these risks before the system is deployed.

• Verify whether the banking apps run smoothly in any environment.
• Ensure the app performs as anticipated when dealing with real-world scenarios.
• Check whether the app allows utility payments and many other third-party integrations payments.

Unit & Integration testing

It’s essential to assess each individual unit in isolation to verify its proper functionality. Besides, we need to integrate these units and evaluate how they interact with one another. Integration testing verifies the interfaces between modules, ensuring that the system works as a whole.

• Test for correct handling of various types of accounts (e.g. savings, checking).
• Verify that users can customize settings in the banking app
• Validate interactions with external systems for services like currency conversion, international transactions, or third-party integrations.
• Ensure that data remains consistent across different modules.

Compliance testing

Banks typically contend with intricate regulations governing their banking applications. These regulations are in place to prevent errors within the application, as any identified mistakes may result in substantial fines for the bank, potentially impacting both profits and reputation.

Compliance testing ensures that the banking application adheres to all relevant regulatory requirements.

• Confirm that the application monitors transactions for unusual patterns or high-risk activities.
• Test the application’s ability to decrypt and access encrypted data as needed.
• Test for unauthorized access attempts.

Read more: Top 5 Factors to Consider While Testing Financial Software