Business intelligence is key to understanding how to maximise profits – but research shows that lack of information at small banks and information overload at big banks are preventing them from making the most of such data. Anthony Gandy reports.

HSBC has transformed its technology provision into a shared services company that sells IT to the group’s departments.The intention is to increase cost transparency and increase control over IT, Fergie Williams, head of technology services Europe,tells Dan Barnes.

In the EU, issues relating to the single currency, cross-border transparency and the accession countries bring additional complexity to an already fragmented cross-border payments environment.

Banks have been pretty successful at facing down regulation. But do they actually need to? And how long before the regulators hold their nerve and force the financial institutions off the road instead? By Chris Skinner.

Strategic sourcing and procurement systems are paying off in terms of cost reduction and also in terms of good governance, which is essential for IT departments to avoid a repeat of the technology failures of the past, says Dan Barnes.

Cautious optimism is the watchword for banking technology. As they adopt an integrated enterprise approach to regulatory and other tactical changes, banks will be able to realise higher returns from their IT investments.

In the age of invisible financial transactions, and especially post 9/11, systems resilience has been vital. But bank CEOs should not trust in belief alone; they should test out a systems shutdown and make sure they have the right CIO. By Chris Skinner.

Despite concerns over data fraud, communication problems and a backlash from western countries, India is still a prime destination for banks to outsource their business processes, writes Kala Rao.

Tier 1 banks that do not replace core banking systems risk losing out to their competitors – especially in the emerging markets – and falling foul of the regulators. The process may be long and arduous but modular replacement can relieve the pain. Dan Barnes investigates.

Debby Hopkins, chief operations and technology officer at Citigroup, spoke to Dan Barnes about co-ordinating systems across the global giant, keeping customers’ data safe and talking in plain English.
Debby Hopkins, chief operations and technology officer at Citigroup, finds the scale of the company undaunting, not only through her background working for Ford, Boeing and General Motors but also due to the bank’s corporate culture.