Archive

Although the perceived threat to banks from non-bank payments institutions has had little impact, it is still early days. Issues of cost and legislation may have restricted recent take-up, but banks could find themselves facing tougher competition in the future.

(photo of Nick Ogden, Voice Commerce)

As post credit-crunch risk management fuels increasing demand for new technologies, finding ways to alleviate the burden on banks’ servers is paramount. Fortunately, solutions are imminent, says Frédéric Ponzo.

In the stampede to rebuild confidence in the financial markets, global remedies are being heralded as the way forward. How these can be implemented in an unbiased fashion by regulators with an eye on their own interests remains to be seen, says Gerald Ashley

Steve Craggs clears away the fog of confusion surrounding cloud computing and gives the definitive guide to this emerging and expanding area

Regulatory changes in the wake of the financial crisis must encompass a number of stipulations to ensure future success. And of supreme importance is the integration of the European financial markets to create a level playing field, says Alain Closier, global head, securities services, Société Générale.

Open account trading may dominate the trade finance arena but it does not provide all the answers. Tan Kah Chye, global head, trade finance, Standard Chartered, explains why banks need to develop a more comprehensive offering.

The Bank of America Merrill Lynch merger may have had its critics, but Fernando Vicario, global corporate banking regional executive, EMEA, says the merger has created limitless opportunities for global expansion, particularly in emerging markets. Merrill Lynch customers can now also benefit from Bank of America’s treasury expertise.

Mobile payments solutions provider Luup, was among the first in Europe to gain a pan-European e-money licence. In order to scale the business globally, in 2008 Luup decided to drive mobile payments adoption through partner- ships with local and global financial institutions. Thomas Bostrøm Jørgensen, CEO of Luup talks to financial-i about the mobile payments revolution, how it is helping bank the unbanked and why the banks are unlikely to be disintermediated by telecom companies.

Marion King, CEO of VocaLink is committed to making her organisation a full payments partner for both bank and potentially non-bank payment providers, as well as leveraging international growth opportunities. As a central clearing hub, King would like to see more traction for VocaLink’s SEPA solutions. But that hinges on an end date for SEPA migration being announced.

The financial crisis has created a world of more expensive credit and tighter regulations; capital market companies are now finding outsourcing an increasingly appealing option.

(photo of Stephen Smit, State Street)

Asset Control believes it has the “fresh approach” to data manage- ment that analyst firms like TowerGroup have been asking for with its AC Invest solution.

Since the 1990s, commercial card initiatives have stepped up their infiltration of the European market. And there is huge scope for further growth, says Steven Murphy, research director, payments, TowerGroup.

Post-crisis liquidity-risk management has reached a hiatus and establishing a new way forward is essential. The Financial Services Authority’s new regime offers an immediate solution, but is this enough for the future?

(photo of Paul Sharma. FSA)

The days of providing value- added services for minimal returns, are over, says John Gubert, and more securities services providers may have to follow the example of market infrastructure provider, SWIFT, by announcing plans to reduce costs.

In order for SWIFT to survive it has to capitalise on its strengths and continue development both within and outside the securities environment. And investment in its core infrastructure is crucial.

(Photo of Colin Brooks, HSBC)