The financial services industry is on a definitive up swing. Retail, as well as institutional investors remain bullish on the Asian bourses and private equity and global FI's continue to look for attractive acquisitions and investments across the region. Additionally, regulators and central banks are pro-actively coming up with well-researched investor guidelines and frameworks for foreign investments / holdings, securitization and compliance issues. Technology is the catalyst for all of this action. Outsourcing deals have evolved and are addressing not just BPO issues, but total cost of ownership for banks - the most important requirement for Asian banks today. The battle for supremacy in the Core banking, risk management and managed IT services is churning out some mind-boggling value for the end user.

Financial Insights conferences are devised with one objective in mind, to create an un-biased platform for debate that will yield 'actionable' ideas for the financial services industry.

2005 will be about integrating existing investments with new solutions and leveraging data resources to create a streamlined enterprise with the right processes and business intelligence to cater to new opportunities. Going forward, this will become a necessity as the commoditization of core products and the limits of growth through scale are realized. 2005 will also be the year where clear delineations appear between the leaders and followers, and how players utilize technology will be a crucial factor in determining this split.

Anticipating the Winds of Change in Asia

Market conditions are favoring the Asia/Pacific financial services industry. Financial Insights predicts significant growth in key financial sectors like wealth management, retail banking, private banking, and corporate banking. Sentiment is high, prospects look good, and there is a sense of optimism within the industry.

However, regulators and central banks in almost every country are more wary and savvy from the bruises of the late ’90s. They are also tightening regulations and increasing the cost of financial governance in almost all sectors. At the same time, customers are becoming more sophisticated and demanding distinct product differentiation for their specific needs.

Year 2005 will see clear delineations between the leaders and followers, based on how the players utilize people, technology and resources, as well as anticipate changes. So how will players survive and, more importantly, thrive in this environment?

Financial institutions realize that gone are the days where competing on price and product innovation keep them ahead. They need to innovate on traditional products beyond pricing, and explore new areas like wealth management, consumer finance, and bancassurance. To drive these products, heavy investments are needed in people, channels, technology and processes for a competitive edge.

Faced with thinning costs and lower margins, banks need to refresh tired technology infrastructures and rework business processes.

As financial organizations do more with less, effective risk management strategies will also need to be implemented to ensure the high quality and integrity of financial services demanded by customers and government regulators. Compliance issues related to Basel II and anti-money laundering are also among the many ‘hot’ issues that every serious player will need to grapple.

Why You Must Attend

IDC’s Financial Insights conferences are devised to create an unbiased platform for debate that will yield ‘actionable’ ideas for the financial services industry. Informative and more importantly, delivered by financial industry practitioners who have hands-on experience in the financial industry, this conference aims to provide practical insights into the trends as well as risks of the current financial climate.

The conference will also allow participants to discuss current and pressing issues with over 100 senior-level executives from financial institutions, and select solution providers, including CXOs, Senior and Executive Vice-Presidents, General Managers, Partners, Executive Directors, Senior Portfolio Managers, Heads of Divisions, as well as Regulatory and Government officials.

You will learn about:

• Global trends in banking IT infrastructure
• Core technology systems that are compatible with new business requirements
• Multichannel distribution strategies
• Processing multiple payment types
• Handling performance management
• Effective and selective outsourcing
• Operations excellence
• Robust risk management strategies
• Anti-money laundering in Asia
• Customer relationship management
• Compliance issues and the new Basel II accord

Benefits of Attendance include:

• Learn from financial industry practitioners who have hands-on experience in the financial industry, to gain practical insights into the trends as well as risks of the current financial climate.
• Discuss current and pressing issues with over 100 senior-level executives from financial institutions, and select solution providers, and government officials.

• You will have online access to copies of all presentations following the event.

When you leave the event, you will be able to answer:

• Which top-line initiatives should banks look at?
• Should financial institutions consider outsourcing and how should they go about it?
• How should financial institutions achieve execution excellence in change management, and implement strategic initiatives?
• How should financial institutions prioritize their technology projects?