POPi/o, a virtual banking solution, created an exclusive holiday initiative facilitating financial institutions in providing virtual, one-on-one meetings with Santa Claus as a free and convenient service for their communities. This digital chat helped young believers speak to Santa while letting their families avoid large social gatherings amid continuing COVID-19 concerns and restrictions according to a press release.

Through either a simple web link or integrated mobile app, POPi/o's virtual banking platform can be utilized to create completely customized holiday programs featuring face-to-face remote video chat with individual consumers.

The POPi/o system also uses two-way video communication and collaboration tools such as screen sharing and document signing capabilities that enables banks and credit unions to conduct a broad range of business and personal banking interactions

PCSB Bank, headquartered in Clarinda, Iowa, was the first POPi/o user to develop its own virtual Santa program, which went live after Thanksgiving via PCSB's website and mobile app. The bank felt prompted to provide the service after the town's local "Santa House" was announced canceled to avoid large social gatherings.

"The pandemic may be affecting many of our traditional activities this year—but with POPi/o, financial institutions can deliver the magic of the holidays directly to people's homes," Gene Pranger, founder and CEO of POPi/o said in the release. "We're truly honored to be able to help our clients build a tremendous sense of connection and partnership within their communities and restore some joy to 2020 and beyond."

POPi/o offered free video seat licenses to any of its clients that wanted to offer virtual holiday initiatives for their communities.