Key findings in the 2025 InvestOps report:

• A new report surveying 200 global buy-side operations leaders reveals that the majority (75%) understand the potential benefits of integrating AI, but need more information to integrate it into their investment processes. 
• The respondents qualitatively highlighted a need for AI to support with investment analysis, decision making, risk management, data management and client engagement.
• The buy-side organizations plan to build more standardized data modeling (67%) and to consolidate systems for a common data layer (65%) to overcome challenges with their data infrastructure.
• ESG investing continues to be the business area where respondents see the greatest opportunity for technological innovation (58%), particularly in North America (81%).

NEW YORK and LONDON, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Buy-side organizations worldwide require more information on how to integrate AI into the investment processes, reveals the InvestOps Report, “Investment Management 2025”, commissioned by financial technology company SimCorp.

Based on a survey of 200 buy-side executives conducted by WBR Insights in Q4 of 2024, the report provides insights into the buy side’s challenges and priorities entering into 2025.

The survey shows that 75 percent of respondents understand the potential benefits of AI but need more information on how to apply it effectively to the investment processes, such as investment analysis, decision making, risk management, data management and client engagement. When asked which areas that would benefit most from the use of an AI tool, one respondent noted “An AI tool can be used to uncover risks that might have remained unknown to us”. Additionally, 16 percent feel unprepared to leverage AI, while 9 percent feel very prepared.

“AI is not about replacing jobs but augmenting human capabilities, enhancing decision-making processes, and increasing efficiency. However, the advancements in AI can deliver true value for investment professionals when supported by a unified data layer where all investment data is in one place, moving away from data siloes,” said Georg Hetrodt, Chief Executive Officer at SimCorp.

When asked how to measure the success of an AI tool in the investment process, the buy-side leaders prioritize increased efficiency in data cleaning (46%), followed by enhanced data visualization (42%) and accelerated time to insights (41%).

Addressing data challenges

The report also found that nearly half of respondents (47%) say their current data infrastructure is a combination of in-house and third-party solutions, leading to data challenges. The top three priorities for addressing these in the near term are building more standardized data models (67%), consolidating systems for a common data layer (65%), and utilizing AI tools for better insights and data predictability (65%).

“Data is the “key” to the front office, yet many firms struggle with fragmented and inconsistent data sources,” said Laura Kayrouz, Senior Partner & Global Co-Head of Investments at Alpha FMC and one of the report’s contributors. “The first step to overcoming this challenge is a thorough data audit to identify gaps and redundancies. Once completed, firms should implement a robust data governance framework to ensure data accuracy, consistency, and compliance. This framework will form the foundation for a centralized data management solution, capable of breaking down silos and enabling unified data access across teams.” 

When asked about technology and operations, improving data and operations for multi-asset investment strategies (40%) ranked as the top initiative that the buy-side organizations are planning to implement. The main challenge for front office teams is the inability to manage multi-assets in one view (60%).

To effectively manage a multi-asset class portfolio — the primary challenge in supporting the front office – investment managers need a system architecture with a unified data layer that provides a total portfolio view in real time, with any changes made in one area of the business instantly reflected throughout the entire investment lifecycle for public and private markets. This is shown in the survey, where respondents plan to consolidate systems for a real time total portfolio view (64%) to address this challenge.

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“What we see from this research is that investment managers increasingly need to invest in data strategies to support their goals and decision-making capabilities,” said Marc Schröter, Chief Product Officer at SimCorp. “Otherwise, when firms diversify their portfolios across more asset types, they risk adding complexity to their system landscape. This could lead to disparate silos of investment positions across the business, which slows the velocity of information and impacts the ability to scale. There’s a strong business case for data initiatives.”

Other key findings from the 2025 Global InvestOps report include:

• Improving operational efficiency is the top strategic priority guiding technology and operations investments for 2025.
• Inability to get a total firm-wide view of investments, risk and performance and launching new products in a timely manner are the key challenges for the buy-side firms’ existing current models.
• ESG investing is the business area with the greatest opportunity for technological innovation in the next few years, particularly in North America and APAC.
• Greater transparency in outsourced operations data tops the list for how the firms want to enhance their operating models in the next 24 months.
• Focus on core business is the most desired outcome by using an external service provider for non-core business processes.

To learn more about the findings and to access the full report, follow this link 2025 Global InvestOps Report | SimCorp

Survey Methodology

In Q4 of 2024, WBR Insights surveyed 200 Directors of Investment Operations and similar across APAC, EMEA, and North America, to find out about the challenges they are facing in 2024.

The report itself will be split in four, looking at how respondents are balancing their strategic priorities, the impact of data, the evolution of operating models and technological innovations being brought to the table. The survey was conducted by appointment over the telephone.

The results were compiled and anonymized by WBR Insights and are presented here with analysis and commentary by SimCorp and the InvestOps community.

About SimCorp

SimCorp is a provider of industry-leading integrated investment management solutions for the global buy side.

Founded in 1971, with more than 3,500 employees across five continents, SimCorp is a truly global technology leader that empowers more than half of the world’s top 100 financial companies through its integrated platform, services, and partner ecosystem. 

SimCorp is a subsidiary of Deutsche Börse Group. As of 2024, SimCorp includes Axioma, the leading provider of risk and management and portfolio optimization solutions for the global buy side. 

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About WBR Insights 

We use research-based content to drive conversations, share insights and deliver results. Connect with our audience of high-level decision-makers in Europe and Asia from industries including Retail & eCommerce, Supply Chain & Procurement, Finance, as well as many more. From whitepapers focused on your priorities, to benchmarking reports, infographics, and webinars, we can help you to inform and educate your readers and reach your marketing goals at the same time.

CONTACT: Søren Rathlou Top, [email protected], +45 31 15 87 06

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LONDON, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Walletium lets customers manage digital assets and traditional currencies on their own terms — all in one place. With the help of Walletium’s native TEX token, sending tokens becomes simpler and faster — even if customers don’t hold them beforehand.

TEX is the operational backbone of the Walletium network:

• Transaction Fuel: Powers swaps and internal fees.
• Real Utility: Grows with platform adoption, rewarding everyday usage.
• Fair Pricing: Launched at $0.05, reflecting real demand rather than hype.

Central to Walletium is the Walletium Keyring, a universally formatted system for addresses and assets. Customers can freely import, create, and manage their addresses and private keys—without rigid workflows. We’ve designed Walletium to adapt to our customers, ensuring convenience never compromises security.

One of Walletium’s standout innovations is its near-zero fee internal transfers, covering token swaps and P2P transactions. Inside the Walletium ecosystem, customers can send tokens quickly and at minimal cost—even if they temporarily lack that token. TEX fuel dynamically covers these transactions, letting customers interact with any listed token whenever they need it.

To make Walletium user-friendly, we’ve integrated with Telegram via our Walletium Telegram Wallet. Customers can manage crypto on the go without extra installations or complex steps. Whether a new user or a seasoned pro, Walletium adapts to the user’s preferred style.

Walletium goes further than most wallets by offering direct fiat functionality. Load crypto into a virtual card and spend fiat wherever cards are accepted. No more juggling multiple platforms—store, send, and spend both digital and traditional currencies side by side.

Walletium is more than just another wallet; it’s the future of seamless finance. Join us and discover why Walletium is “One to Hold It All.”

• Official Wallet: https://t.me/walletiumbot
• Official Site: https://walletium.net
• Walletium Wiki: https://wiki.walletium.net

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NICOSIA, Cyprus, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — flykk®, the pan-European and UK digital payment app, announces the launch of its new flykk® Diners Club International® debit card in several priority markets. This offering combines the best of both worlds: the convenience and security of a globally accepted debit card with all the robust benefits Diners Club International® offers.

With the new flykk® Diners Club International® Card, users can enjoy a range of exclusive Diners Club benefits, including access to more than 1,500 airport lounges and experiences around the world, travel insurance, and purchase protection. Additionally, the flykk® Diners Club International® Card also offers a range of other features and benefits that can delight users, including access to millions of amenities and premium Wi-Fi hotspots.

Key features of the flykk® app, which flykk® Diners Club cardholders can access, include bank transfers, free flykk-to-flykk transfers, dedicated money remittance channels and global money transfers. Users can easily transfer money between their flykk® account and European Union (EU) bank accounts, as well as between other flykk® users.

“Launching this partnership with Diners Club International® is a significant milestone for ISX Financial,” said Nikogiannis Karantzis, CEO of ISX Financial. “By combining the innovative flykk® payment app with the benefits of the Diners Club International® Card, we strive to offer users an unparalleled payment experience both online and in-store. With the flykk® Diners Club International® Card, users can enjoy all the convenience and security of a debit card, together with a range of other features and benefits that support their lifestyle.”

Diners Club is accepted at millions of merchant locations and over 1.2 million ATM and cash access locations around the world. Diners Club is part of the Discover® Global Network, the fastest growing global payments network^[1]. Comprised of Diners Club International®, Discover Network, PULSE®, and more than 25 alliance partner networks across the globe, Discover Network has 345 million Discover Global Network Cardholders worldwide^[2] and facilitated $589B+ in global transactions in 2023.

The flykk® debit card is now available to users in selected markets in the EU, with plans to expand to additional markets in the coming months. To learn more about flykk® and its innovative payment solutions, visit the flykk® website at www.flykk.it. 

“By combining our world-class benefits, services, and capabilities with flykk’s comprehensive payment technology, we’re able to offer users a more seamless payment experience,” said Matt Sloan, Vice President of International Markets, EMEA at Discover® Global Network. “We look forward to continuing to work closely with the team at ISX Financial to bring even more innovative payment solutions to users around the world.”

•  To learn more about the flykk® Diners Club Debit Card: www.flykk.it 
• To learn more about the ISX Financial and Discover Global Network partnership: https://insights.discoverglobalnetwork.com/insights/james-cameron-isx-financial-partnership

About ISX Financial:

ISX Financial EU PLC is a ‘banktech’ company that leverages its own technology to provide financial services to merchants across the EEA & UK.  The company’s combined payments stack and infrastructure provides a complete end-to-end transactional banking, FX, remittance and payment processing capability. 

ISXMoney’s multi-Currency IBAN accounts coupled with PaidBy® instant open banking provides merchants with a tailored payment solution to reach any UK or EEA bank account holders.

ISX Financial’s consumer product flykk®, is a digital wallet that combines all its financial technology and infrastructure to create a retail product. flykk® is a two-sided network developed on ISX’ Financial’s own platform that links both merchants and consumers around the globe to facilitate the processing of payment transactions. flykk® allows customers to use their account for both purchase and paying for goods, as well as to transfer and withdraw funds, with the benefits of a Diners card for point-of-sale transactions.

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ISX Financial’s subsidiary Probanx® also develops payment infrastructure for third parties, and provides connectivity to central banks, banks around the world and major card schemes.

[1] Based on signed network alliance agreements over the past fourteen years with major payment networks within respective countries – Panoramic Research study, conducted 2022
[2] Based on data provided to Discover by Network Alliances participants and other third party sources as of December 31, 2023.

Media enquiries: +35722015740, [email protected] 

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