Fintech PR
AI ADOPTION IN FP&A SAVES PROFESSIONALS UP TO 200 HOURS AND £100,000 ANNUALLY
AI Revolution in FP&A is Set to Offer One of the Most Impactful Transformations in Finance
LONDON, Nov. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — ICit Business Intelligence, a leading Workday Adaptive Planning Solution Provider, has today released new research showing that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) will reshape the future of Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A), empowering finance professionals to become more trusted, strategic partners to their organisations. According to the latest ICit-commissioned report: Harnessing AI for enhanced Financial Planning & Analysis, FP&A teams are already experiencing substantial financial and time-saving benefits by utilising AI.
AI’s potential for savings and efficiency gains is transforming the role of teams
The independent study*, conducted with 300 UK FP&A professionals, revealed that 85% of organisations are already using AI-powered FP&A software. Two thirds (66%) of finance professionals reported that AI is set to save between 50 and 200 hours of work annually, enabling them to focus on more value-added activities like strategic planning. From a cost saving point of view, these same companies are seeing financial savings of £50,000–£100,000 annually due to AI-powered FP&A software.
According to ICit’s Director, Mark Bodger, “AI’s ability to streamline complex data processes and deliver real-time insights allows finance teams to step into more strategic roles, enabling them to focus on strategic decision-making rather than manual tasks.”
AI is Elevating FP&A Teams into Strategic Leaders
As AI increasingly becomes a standard in financial operations, finance teams are evolving beyond their traditional roles of managing budgets and forecasts. With AI’s ability to analyse vast datasets and predict future trends, FP&A professionals are moving closer to the heart of business strategy, offering critical guidance to senior leadership. ICit’s report highlighted the importance of AI in helping finance teams become strategic advisors, with 59% of respondents to the study noting that AI enhances financial decision-making through more accurate forecasts and real-time scenario analysis. AI adoption is also boosting trust in finance teams, with 67% of finance professionals citing AI’s critical role in providing senior executives with reliable, data-driven insights.
Bodger continued: “AI is enabling faster, more precise forecasting and insights, allowing finance teams to make better decisions and drive business success.”
AI as a Driver of Trust and Competitiveness
The ICit study also showed that AI is becoming essential for finance teams looking to build greater trust with their C-suite executives. Over two-thirds (67%) of finance professionals believe AI will play a pivotal role in establishing confidence in their insights and decisions. As AI evolves, finance teams will be able to quickly adapt to market changes, reducing errors and providing more accurate financial forecasts.
Tim Wakeford, Vice President, Financial Product Strategy, Workday commented: “From tackling manual work to responding to economic instability, the challenges finance professionals face are diverse and growing. In the AI-era, a lack of agility will see slow movers quickly fall behind. The main barrier to achieving this, however, is trust – which is why finance leaders need to seize the opportunity and take action. Leaders must also advocate for AI, cultivate a responsible culture and showcase how it overcomes the daily challenges finance teams face. This isn’t always easy – it may call for tough choices on budgets, or receive initial push back from other leaders. However, with the right steps, a more productive, strategic and high-performing finance department is in reach.”
Mark Bodger concluded: “There is no doubt that AI is giving companies a competitive edge and our latest research indicates that organisations adopting AI in FP&A are outperforming their peers in operational efficiency, cost management, and strategic execution. As a result, these companies are better positioned to navigate financial uncertainty and seize new opportunities.”
*The findings presented in this report are based on a study of 300 UK financial decision-makers, commissioned by ICit. The survey focused on AI/ML adoption in FP&A software between 9th-14th August, 2024.
About ICit Business Intelligence:
ICit is a leading provider of managed services and FP&A software solutions, specialising in Workday Adaptive Planning. We help finance teams leverage advanced technologies like AI and ML to drive performance, improve decision-making, and enhance strategic leadership.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ai-adoption-in-fpa-saves-professionals-up-to-200-hours-and-100-000-annually-302297384.html
Fintech PR
Markets Show Resilience Ahead of End-of-Year Options Expirations: Bybit x Block Scholes Crypto Derivatives Report
DUBAI, UAE, Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, released the latest Crypto Derivatives Analytics Report in collaboration with Block Scholes, highlighting the muted market volatility despite major options expirations on Friday. BTC and ETH’s realized volatility has increased, but short-term options haven’t adjusted to this change. This indicates that while spot prices are fluctuating, the options market is not fully reacting to these shifts, although BTC and ETH volumes have displayed slightly different patterns.
With more than $525 million in BTC and ETH options contracts expiring on Dec 27, 2024’s end-of-year options expiration looks set to be one of the biggest yet, yet expectations for volatility have remained subdued. The report highlights an unusual inversion in ETH’s volatility structure, but BTC has not mirrored the reaction. Additionally, a change in funding rates—sometimes turning negative as spot prices drop—signals a new market phase. Notably, BTC’s volatility structure has been less responsive to changes in spot prices, whereas ETH’s short-term options are exhibiting more noticeable fluctuations.
Key Findings:
BTC Options Expirations:
In the past month, BTC’s realized volatility has been higher than implied volatility on three occasions, each time reaching a relatively calm equilibrium. Open interest in BTC options remains high, contributing to potential increased volatility as we near the end of the year. Around $360 million worth of BTC options (both puts and calls) are set to expire soon, which can affect price movement.
ETH Options: Calls Dominate
Despite a mid-week inversion, ETH’s volatility term structure has flattened, maintaining levels similar to those seen over the past month. In the final week of 2024, calls overwhelmed puts in open interest in ETH options, although market movements and trading activities are more on the put side.
Access the Full Report:
Gain deeper insights and explore the potential impacts on your crypto trading strategies by downloading the full report here: Bybit X Block Scholes Crypto Derivatives Analytics Report (Dec 24, 2024)
#Bybit / #BybitResearch
About Bybit
Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 60 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.
For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
For more information, please visit: https://www.bybit.com
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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/markets-show-resilience-ahead-of-end-of-year-options-expirations-bybit-x-block-scholes-crypto-derivatives-report-302339299.html
Fintech PR
Get a firsthand experience of the charisma of Xi
BEIJING, Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A report from Poeple’s Daily:
In May 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Hungary. During this historic visit, leaders of the two countries announced the elevation of bilateral relations to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era, injecting renewed powerful impetus into cooperation between the two countries.
As the interpreter for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during his meeting with President Xi, Simon Adrienn had the opportunity to again gain a firsthand glimpse into the charisma of President Xi as the leader of a major country.
In 2009, Xi, the then vice president of China, visited Hungary. Simon accompanied him as an interpreter for the first time to explore a memorial hall with rich Hungarian ethnic characteristics. “As I provided explanations, Xi listened attentively, showing a genuine interest in Hungarian history and culture. I could sense that he was a leader of great knowledge and insight”.
Since then, she has worked as an interpreter during meetings between the leaders of Hungary and China on numerous occasions. In her memories, Prime Minister Orban and President Xi are both candid and wise leaders who know about each other and trust each other. “President Xi’s clear articulation makes my job relatively easy. He is approachable, and respects and treats every staff member equally. In my view, this exemplifies the true essence of a great leader of a major country.”
Before kicking off this state visit to Hungary, President Xi published a signed article titled “Embarking on a Golden Voyage in China–Hungary Relations” in the Hungarian newspaper Magyar Nemzet. The article provided a comprehensive overview of the successful practices and positive outcomes in the development of bilateral relations over the past 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Simon translated the article into Hungarian. She said this experience was a valuable learning process, allowing her to gain a deeper understanding of President Xi’s views and thoughts.
In fact, this was not the first time that she translated President Xi’s books and articles. She once participated in the translation of President Xi’s book “Xi Jinping: The Governance of China“. In her eyes, President Xi drew upon numerous Chinese historical and cultural references in the book, prompting her to delve into the materials to identify the most suitable expressions. The process of translation provided her with profound intellectual enlightenment.
She deeply admires President Xi’s statement “Friendship, which derives from close contact between the people, holds the key to sound state-to-state relations.” As Hungary-China relations navigate a “golden channel,” closer people-to-people ties stand as a vital cornerstone. The Hungarian and Chinese people share many similarities, both valuing family harmony. The Hungarian people hold a profound appreciation for Chinese culture, evident through the presence of multiple Confucius Institutes, numerous traditional Chinese medicine clinics, and bilingual schools in Hungary that nurture a plethora of young talents for cultural exchanges between the two nations. Hungarian Chinese communities have also made substantial contributions to fostering deeper friendship between the two countries. People-to-people and cultural exchanges continue to strengthen, laying a solid foundation for cooperation between the two nations.
In the 1980s, student exchanges between Hungary and China began, and Simon was one of the beneficiaries. Her connection with China dated back to the third grade of primary school. At that time, she read many Chinese folk stories in the library. Upon graduating from high school, she seized the opportunity to study in China and spent six wonderful years there which had a significant impact on her life. Even today, she still enjoys reading Chinese folk stories and children’s literature. She has translated them into Hungarian, and organized Hungarian children to read them. she is always learning and improving, hoping to enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples through her work and continue to write new stories of friendly exchanges with her Chinese friends.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/get-a-firsthand-experience-of-the-charisma-of-xi-302339216.html
Fintech PR
WSPN Appoints Former EY Global Chief Innovation Officer Jeff Wong as Independent Director
SINGAPORE, Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Worldwide Stablecoin Payment Network (WSPN), a leading stablecoin infrastructure company, announces the appointment of Jeff Wong as Independent Director. Mr. Wong brings over 25 years of experience in technology innovation and enterprise transformation to WSPN. He most recently served as EY’s Global Chief Innovation Officer from 2015 to 2024, where he spearheaded the firm’s global innovation initiatives and established EY’s advanced technology labs focusing on Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Quantum Computing, and Web3.
Prior to EY, Mr. Wong held leadership roles at eBay and JPMorgan Partners. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Forbes Technology Council, and the founding Chair of Asia Society’s Technology and Innovation Council, helping drive the innovation and transformation agenda. He was also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Innovation Ecosystems. He has previously served on the Oxford Foundry Board at Oxford University and the Advisory Board for AI4All. Mr. Wong is a recipient of the Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business award and an honoree of the A100 List by Gold House, recognizing individuals with Asian Pacific heritage who have made a significant impact on American culture and society.
“Joining WSPN at this pivotal moment in the stablecoin industry is incredibly exciting,” said Mr. Wong. “I look forward to contributing my experience in emerging technologies and enterprise transformation to help WSPN build the next generation of digital payment infrastructure.”
“Jeff’s appointment represents a significant strategic addition to WSPN,” said Raymond Yuan, Founder and CEO of WSPN. “His deep expertise in innovation management, enterprise transformation, and emerging technologies, combined with his leadership experience at global institutions, will be invaluable as we accelerate our market expansion and global development.”
About WSPN
WSPN is a leading provider of next-generation stablecoin infrastructure, committed to building a more secure, efficient, and transparent payment solution for the global economy. Their flagship product, WUSD stablecoin, is pegged 1:1 to the U.S. Dollar and aims to optimize secure digital payments for Web3 users. WSPN’s Stablecoin 2.0 approach prioritizes user-centricity, community governance, and accessibility, paving the way for widespread stablecoin adoption.
Learn more: www.wspn.io | X | LinkedIn
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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/wspn-appoints-former-ey-global-chief-innovation-officer-jeff-wong-as-independent-director-302338852.html
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