Of all the reasons for replacing core systems, the fact the competition are doing it is the most likely precursor to overcoming board level resistance and unlocking budgets. Martin Whybrow explains.

M&A considerations, namely cutting costs, are becoming a major driver for core system replacement. Heather McKenzie explains.

Are banks transforming or just transacting? Britta Schnittspahn of BearingPoint, the management and technology consultants, examines the need for financial institutions to change their IT systems’ focus from transactional efficiency to customer management.

In light of lagging customer satisfaction and growing competition within and from outside the financial services industry, banks can hardly afford to stand still.

Banks’ risk-avoiding trait of being lemmings not leaders has left the payments arena wide open for PayPal to build up its $27.5bn business. It seems unlikely that the banks will be able to catch up.By Chris Skinner.

Spreadsheets are vital tools for traders and banks’ back-office staff but their flexibility can weaken governance. Dan Barnes looks at the problems and the potential solutions.

Chicago Mercantile Exchange’s CIO is constantly monitoring the support technology of the US’s biggest futures exchange. The tech function has to cope with growing trading volumes and is also seen as a route to expansion. Dan Barnes reports.

Fortis chief executive Jean-Paul Votron tells Stephen Timewell how the bank is extending its reach through acquisitions, joint ventures and white-labelling – and plans to grow a global footprint.

US exchanges are taking advantage of improving relations with China and clinching significant business deals. Jim Kharouf reports.

CASE STUDY: WEBSTER BANK
When Webster Bank decided to move to SOA, it chose Fidelity National Information Services for the implementation.