Jamil Ahmed, Distinguished Engineer, Solace
Legacy technology represents one of the single largest challenges facing the financial sector – with a complex, disparate and intricate technology stack required to manage various parts of the banking ecosystem. For too long, there has been a perception that this infrastructure is prohibitive in creating operational efficiency and providing seamless customer experiences. However, automation is changing this.
Today, the banking industry is undergoing a profound transformation fueled by automation. This evolution isn’t just a trend; it’s a necessity for banks to remain competitive and meet the evolving needs of their customers in an increasingly digital world. For example, Deloitte reported that the implementation of robotic process automation (RPA) can lead to a productivity increase of up to 30% in the banking sector. This surge in efficiency paves the way for a future where streamlined operations, cost savings, enhanced customer service, and innovative growth strategies work in tandem.
Slashing costs while boosting efficiency
Digital transformation is accelerating in the banking sector, and streamlining technology infrastructure has become a top priority. Automation in banking operations typically refers to the use of software and technology to streamline and execute repetitive tasks that were previously done manually. This can include things like data entry, customer support inquiries, loan processing, and compliance checks. Banks with effective automation strategies can realise 35% operational cost savings within just three years.
Banks can benefit from automation beyond cost reduction. By integrating advanced customer services technologies such as omnichannel systems, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms, and AI-powered chatbots, they gain the ability to understand each customer’s journey, personalise services, respond quickly to needs, improve efficiency, and drive innovation. This approach helps banks stay agile, enhance the overall customer experience, and maintain a competitive edge in the evolving financial sector.
Leveraging AI for customer service goes beyond enhancing engagement. It also empowers businesses to identify and capitalise on complementary product recommendations. This is achieved by harnessing AI’s ability to analyse large amounts of customer data, understand individual preferences and behaviours, and anticipate future needs. The potential of AI within banking is immense – analysts estimate it could unlock up to $1 trillion in value annually across the global industry. This leads to higher satisfaction, loyalty, and ultimately, growth opportunities.
The cloud advantage
Cloud technology is transforming the banking industry far beyond simple speed improvements. It’s a game-changer, streamlining processes like mortgage approvals and significantly boosting customer satisfaction. AI-powered customer service, through chatbots, intelligent virtual assistants, and other tools that leverage artificial intelligence, furthers this by enhancing engagement through analysing customer data, preferences, and behaviours.
Cloud technology isn’t just a buzzword for banks; it fuels their adaptability. Gone are the days of clunky, on-premise systems slowing down innovation. Now, banks can quickly roll out new services and scale them up or down as needed.
This agility allows them to react swiftly to changing market conditions and customer demands. Cloud technology empowers banks to be agile by facilitating rapid development and launch of new features and services. It also allows banks to flexibly adjust resources to match customer needs. Moreover, it offers a cost-effective solution, as banks only pay for what they use, eliminating the need for upfront costs associated with traditional infrastructure. This agility translates into a competitive edge, enabling banks to stay ahead of the curve and deliver the experiences customers desire.
Cloud technology is also facilitating a growing trend of personalised customer experiences, which are increasingly becoming the standard in the banking industry. This personalisation is powered by data analytics and customised services that cater to the unique needs of each customer. The evolution of ecosystem banking is paving the way for a future where banking services are part of a larger, interconnected network of financial and non-financial platforms. This integration enhances the customer journey and opens up new avenues for revenue by streamlining interactions and offering personalised experiences.
The tangible benefits of these advancements are evident, with banks that prioritise customer satisfaction witnessing a 20% increase in customer contentment and a 25% rise in digital payments. These developments collectively contribute to a banking industry that is more dynamic, innovative, and customer-focused.
Adapting to event-driven banking
The integration of AI and machine learning is at the heart of this change, enabling banks to provide personalised services at an unprecedented level. Real-time data is now driving every customer interaction, ensuring that each service is tailored to individual needs. Retail banking strategies have evolved to be fundamentally data-driven. CRMs, chatbots, and automated marketing tools are essential to gathering crucial customer insights. This data enables proactive, personalised interactions, ultimately building customer confidence and trust.
The adoption of event-driven architecture (EDA) is enabling banks to become more agile, facilitating rapid adaptation and scaling operations in response to market demands. This approach is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge and providing a customer experience that not only meets but exceeds expectations. The market is waking up to this reality – a recent global study found that more than 30% of financial services industry respondents have already adopted a number of EDA use cases in their organizations. The benefits of such architecture are evident in its ability to facilitate swift responses to events, ensuring that banks can capitalise on new opportunities as they arise. This is a significant step towards a future where banking is more dynamic, efficient, and customer centric.
Automation is not merely shaping the future of banking; it is defining it. Banks that embrace automation to consolidate infrastructure, optimise with cloud solutions, and prioritise seamless customer experiences will thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape. The industry’s trajectory is clear. In banking’s tech-driven future, adaptability isn’t optional, it’s essential.
