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.

Banco Popular’s competitors may be gaining ground but the bank is still an attractive acquisition target. Chairman Angel Ron talks to Karina Robinson about strategies for SME and consumer finance business and why he is betting on staying independent.

Regulators are beginning to take an interest in the number of cases in which stock lending is being inappropriately used to influence voting. But no-one wants regulatory involvement and education could be the key, Dan Barnes reports.

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.

After a slow start, banks are more optimistic about mobile phone financial services finally taking off, with contactless payment methods such as text messaging now on offer. Wendy Atkins reports from the 3GSM show in Cannes on some recent developments.

In a business that is not known for generating huge profits, where providers are under pressure to keep their costs down, custodians must ensure that their outsourcing models will be profitable in the long term. Dan Barnes explains how integration spells domination.
The race is on among custody providers in Europe to develop their outsourcing offerings ahead of the expected wave of demand from investment managers. Back and middle office functions are expected to be shipped out over the next three years.

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.