Insights

In March, market disruption caused by the pandemic followed a drop in the price of cryptocurrencies - including Bitcoin, which lost half of its value in a day, according to a Coinbase report. Despite this, Tether CTO Paolo Ardoino saw an increase in investment in its digital asset from retail traders. “Usage of cryptocurrencies appears... read more

Questions remain over concentration risk amongst cloud providers, following a recent European Securities and Markets Authority (Esma) consultation on cloud outsourcing guidelines. “I think bringing in some of these guidelines will make people understand and think about: ‘I need to make sure that one provider is secure, and if the... read more

In the digital age, banks are looking for ways to remain relevant and distinctive. Experts believe that banks who maintain high levels of customer satisfaction will eventually conquer market share. This means that it is crucial for financial institutions to deeply understand and fully fulfil the needs of increasingly digital customers, at every... read more

Before chairing Pay.UK, the UK’s standard setting body for retail payments, Melanie Johnson chaired The UK Cards Association – now part of UK Finance – for eight years. She talked to bobsguide about the UK’s new payment architecture (NPA), reducing fraud and overseeing the country’s payment systems during coronavirus... read more

While the lockdown has normalised business via web conferencing tools, financial services are being curtailed as institutions are unable to transfer sensitive customer information along ordinary channels.  “In today’s times, making it easy to engage, collaborate and transact business is more than just firing up a conference.... read more

The consolidated audit trail (CAT) must move forward despite remaining data privacy concerns, says Joe Wald, managing director, BMO Capital Markets. “At a certain point, things have to move forward and we can’t let old technology hold us back as an industry,” says Wald. “I think that it’s a big technological... read more

As the pandemic spread, so did a joke – across social media: Who drives the digital transformation efforts in your company? CEO CTO CIO COVID-19 It’s funny because it rings true. Businesses around the world saw themselves amid an unprecedented situation as the pandemic hit. Lockdown restrictions and social isolation... read more

Starting in March, banks including Llyods and HSBC have closed their branches due to government guidelines on health and safety – a trend that has led to a drastic change in consumer behaviour and that has accelerated the digital transformation of retail banks. Mladen Vladek, general manager at FIS, says there is an “impact on the... read more

The gap in digital performance continues to grow between traditional banks and challengers as the pandemic exposes incumbents’ inability to adapt.  Mark O’Keefe, founding director at Optima Consulting and Payments Systems Regulator (PSR) panel member, says few incumbents have stepped up to the plate during the pandemic. ... read more