Fintech PR
FT Survey: 78% say UK banks have “surprised themselves” with their adaptability during COVID-19
Appian (NASDAQ: APPN) today published survey results examining the response of the UK banking sector to the coronavirus pandemic, revealing that nearly three-quarters of respondents say their organization has become more innovative as a result.
The “Innovating in a Crisis: How COVID-19 Changed the Way UK Banks Deliver Core Operations” survey, conducted by FT Focus and supported by Appian, shows that banks are rising to new challenges. 78% of banks have “proven more agile than previously thought” and 72% “have grown more innovative in 2020” according to survey results.
Senior UK banking respondents cited “making sales and winning new business” (73%) as the biggest additional challenge posed by COVID-19, followed by “customer services” (72%), then “risk management and compliance processes” (71%). However, one bank’s challenge appears to be another’s opportunity. Showing that the competitive nature of the market remains despite the crisis, roughly equal proportions of respondents viewed the pandemic and Brexit as opportunities or threats to business. Emerging technologies represented the only factor where respondents achieved more of a consensus, with 57% viewing the use of automation, cloud, and AI as opportunities for growth.
On how banks are responding to COVID-19:
- Two-thirds (66%) are planning to cut costs
- 66% are expecting to increase their automation in response to COVID-19
- 60% are expecting to increase technology spending
In addition to increased remote working and online development, 82% have accelerated compliance and approvals processes, and 81% are using agile practices to increase the pace of new product or service delivery, suggesting that pre-COVID-19 processes are being sped up.
“COVID-19 has forced the banking industry to rapidly adapt to new challenges. The survey results prove that banks are able to be agile, innovate and implement new technologies when the market demands,” said Mike Heffner, VP, Solutions and Industry Go To Market at Appian. “Although cost cuts are on the horizon for a significant number of UK banks, finding new ways to stay efficient and deliver compliant, effective service has probably never been more of a priority.”
“We have never seen such transformation, such a drive for innovation, as we have witnessed in the last four or five months [to July 2020],” said Ritesh Jain, COO of Digital Technology at HSBC and an in-depth survey respondent.
To learn more about how UK banks have stayed agile under pressure, read the full “Innovating in a Crisis: How COVID-19 Changed the Way UK Banks Deliver Core Operations” survey report.
To unpack the survey findings, Appian is hosting a webinar chaired by renowned FinTech author Chris Skinner with Appian financial services thought-leaders, Mike Heffner and Guy Mettrick.
Monday 30 September 2020, 2pm BST
Banking Operations Innovating in a Crisis: Chris Skinner Explores Our Latest Financial Times (FT) Focus Report
The webinar will explore in greater depth how:
- 66% of UK banks responded to the crisis by increasing automation
- The crisis sparked greater adaptability and faster innovation cycles
- Long-planned initiatives have been expedited to increase efficiency and productivity
Methodology
The survey, conducted by FT Focus, gathered responses from 263 senior UK banking executives during July 2020. Respondents held roles at retail banks (43%), commercial banks (29%) or investment banks (29%). Just under half (49%) were in C-suite positions, including 27 CEOs. FT Focus also spoke in depth to Ritesh Jain, then COO of Digital Technology at HSBC, to understand in detail how banking leaders are navigating the challenges that emerged in the first half of 2020.
Strategic launch to cater to the growing demand for luxury real estate across Asia-Pacific
HONG KONG, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — DAMAC International, a global leader in luxury real estate, has officially opened its new office in Hong Kong, marking its third office in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. This expansion is part of DAMAC’s broader vision to strengthen its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing regions, renowned for its rapid investment growth. The Hong Kong office is a strategic gateway to the APAC market. It allows DAMAC to better serve its expanding clientele by offering direct access to its prestigious properties in Dubai and other international locations, such as London and Miami.
The Hong Kong office will provide investors across the region access to personalised services, offering exclusive insights into DAMAC’s luxury residential towers, branded residences, and lifestyle communities. As demand from the APAC region continues to rise, DAMAC is poised to offer high-end real estate investment opportunities that cater to the needs of discerning clients.
Talking about the opening, Abbas Sajwani, Board Member, DAMAC International, stated: “This is yet another milestone in our expansion into the APAC region. The new office will allow us to be closer to our clientele. It is a testament to our belief in the region’s potential and commitment to providing top-tier investment opportunities in luxury development.”
By establishing this new office, DAMAC continues positioning itself as a leading player in the global real estate market. It further strengthens its ability to connect with clients to provide unparalleled luxury investment opportunities for long-term value.
About DAMAC International
DAMAC International has been at the forefront of the Middle East’s luxury real estate market since 2002, delivering award-winning residential, commercial and leisure properties across the region and internationally, including in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, the Maldives, Canada, the United States, as well as the United Kingdom.
Since then, the company has delivered more than 47,000 homes with over 40,000 more in diverse planning and development phases. Joining forces with some of the world’s most eminent fashion and lifestyle brands to create tremendous living experiences, such as with Versace, Roberto Cavalli, or de GRISOGONO. With a consistent vision and momentum, DAMAC is building the next generation of luxury living across the globe.
Live the Luxury.
Visit us at www.damacgroup.com
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Fintech PR
GTN and SBI Group collaborate to launch “SBI Saudi Arabia Equity Exchange Traded Fund (ETF)”
The launch marks the first ETF dedicated to investing in the Saudi Arabian stock market listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
DUBAI, UAE, Nov. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — GTN and SBI Holdings announced on October 30 at FII 8th Edition 2024 in Riyadh the launch of the “SBI Saudi Arabia Equity Exchange Traded Fund (ETF)”- a groundbreaking ETF dedicated to investing in the Saudi Arabian stock market and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. This fund marks a significant milestone as it represents the first ETF focusing exclusively on Saudi equities to be accessible to Japanese investors.
The collaboration between GTN and SBI Group stems from a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in May 2024 in Tokyo at the Saudi Japan Vision 2030 Event in the presence of H.E. Eng. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, the Minister of Investment.
Inspired by Vision 2030, the ETF is expected to reflect the performance of the Saudi market and attract Japanese investors due to Saudi Arabia’s significant economic transformation, sustainable growth, and advanced financial infrastructure. The ETF will be managed to achieve investment results linked to the “MSCI Saudi Arabia Index (yen equivalent basis)”. SBI Asset Management received the regulator’s approval, and the ETF was successfully listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on October 31, 2024.
As per the MOU signed between the parties, SBI Asset Management will be responsible for creating, managing and promoting the ETF in Japan, while GTN will provide research, execution, clearing and settlement services to the ETF.
SBI Group is a strategic investor of GTN and a key partner in GTN’s expansion plans in Asia.
The Chairman of GTN and its mother company NTG, Mohammed Rashid Al Ballaa said: “We are excited about the collaboration between SBI Group and GTN to launch the first-ever Saudi-focused ETF in Japan. SBI Group has access to over 10 million customers and is ideally suited to promote an ETF linked to the Saudi market in Japan. This milestone was achieved thanks to Mr. Yoshitaka Kitao, the visionary leader and founder of SBI Group.” “The ongoing support of the Saudi Stock Exchange and the Ministry of Investment in Saudi Arabia were also essential success factors in reaching this milestone,” said Mr. Al Ballaa.
At the FII conference in Riyadh, Mr. Yoshitaka Kitao said: “I am excited to be in the Kingdom and see the development that has taken place over the past few years. I am also excited to see the unfolding of the Vision 2030. I am confident that the Saudi Arabia ETF will provide Japanese investors the opportunity to participate and be part of the growth journey of Saudi Arabia.”
About GTN
GTN is a fintech pioneer with decades of success, holding broker-dealer and capital markets services licenses in multiple jurisdictions through subsidiaries. We are committed to empowering brokers, banks, asset managers, and fintechs with scalable and innovative investment and trading solutions that enable access to a comprehensive network of global markets and multiple asset classes, making investment and trading accessible to all.
GTN brings together a diverse team of over 500 talented individuals spread across Brazil, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the UAE, the UK, and the US, united by a shared passion and purpose: empowering clients and transforming the accessibility to investment and trading opportunities for all.
GTN is backed by strategic investors IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and SBI Group, one of the largest financial services firms listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. To learn more, visit www.gtngroup.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
About SBI Group
Over 25 years of successful track record, SBI Group has become one of the largest FinTech companies in Japan. Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the SBI Group has over 19,000 employees and 685 group companies. SBI Group’s main businesses are financial services, asset management, investment business, Crypto-assets and Next Gen businesses such as biotechnology, healthcare and Web3.
SBI Group companies include SBI Securities, Japan’s number one online securities company, SBI Sumishin Net Bank, Japan’s largest internet bank in terms of deposit amount, and a variety of other financial companies.
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GENEVA, Nov. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Swiss private banking group CBH Compagnie Bancaire Helvétique announces the appointment of Enid Yip as the new CEO of its subsidiary CBH Asia. Mrs Yip will also lead the Asia Regional Committee. Based in Hong Kong, CBH Asia is a key part of the Group’s strategic commitment to expand its presence in the region.
Concurrently, Patrick Wong, who has overseen the Asia business since 2017, has been appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer. Mr Wong will continue to manage Operations, Regulatory and Compliance, and IT, while Mrs Yip will focus on enhancing the firm’s client offering and driving business development in line with the Group’s long-term strategy for Asia. With its entrepreneurial approach and exclusive and bespoke investment offering, CBH Asia offers compelling advantages to clients and relationship managers in the region.
A seasoned executive, Mrs Yip brings over 25 years of experience in successfully growing wealth management institutions in Asia. Most recently she was with LGT. Prior to that, she was a Member of the Board at Bank J. Safra Sarasin, having previously served as their Chief Executive Officer, Asia, overseeing the bank’s expansion in the region. Earlier in her career, Mrs Yip held various senior positions in the private banking industry.
Simon Benhamou, CBH Bank Chief Executive Officer said: “We are delighted to welcome someone of Enid’s calibre to lead CBH Asia. Her extensive experience and strong leadership will be instrumental in furthering our growth in key Asian markets. Our people are our greatest asset and with Enid’s strong commitment to our core values of entrepreneurship and teamwork, we are confident that she will further strengthen CBH Asia’s success. We extend our best wishes to Enid on her appointment.”
Mrs Yip said: “I am delighted to be joining a Group that fosters an environment where we can achieve great results by pursuing excellence with creativity. I am determined to expand CBH’s footprint in the region, building on our established expertise and maintaining our long-term vision of adding value for both clients and stakeholders.”
About CBH | Compagnie Bancaire Helvétique
CBH Compagnie Bancaire Helvétique is a family-owned Swiss banking group founded in 1975. Headquartered in Geneva, the Group currently counts close to 309 professionals in 10 locations around the world. As of December 31st, 2023 client assets totaled CHF 14.3 billion and the Group’s Tier 1 ratio was 43%, placing it among the best capitalized banks in Switzerland compared to its peers.
CBH Group provides wealth management services to private and institutional clients, as well as several complementary business lines, including family office solutions, asset services & structuring, exclusive private markets expertise, and bespoke daily banking and card solutions.
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