Open banking: putting consumers in the driver’s seat
Could open banking usher in a new era of convenience, access and service differentiation? It's a tantalising possibility, but not one without potential security pitfalls which must be closely managed and mitigated. Done properly, concept of pen banking can benefit all...
Digital banks wary of losing the human connection
In their drive to be digitally relevant and hold market share, both traditional and digital banks run the risk of losing customers by reducing human interaction. This is the warning from Bardien Pienaar, GM at Merchants. He says that, in an environment where consumers...
A payments system taken for granted – because it just works
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about systems taken for granted because they’ve always been there and they’ve always worked. By Martin Grunewald, executive head: payments business at BankservAfrica Take the load shedding that we experienced in the first months of 2019...
Liberty launches digital ecosystem
Liberty clients are now able to engage with the group's latest short-term insurance offering on their own terms, thanks to a newly developed digital ecosystem which keeps them connected 24 hours a day, seven days a week. "Our clients are becoming more tech-savvy,...
Standard Bank partners with Microsoft
Standard Bank Group and Microsoft have announced a new strategic partnership that will help to transform the bank's technology estate and internal corporate functions, enabling the largest bank in Africa to accelerate its digital transformation journey significantly...
Sabvest acquires 30% stake in Revix
JSE-listed investment group Sabvest announces its 30% investment in Revix, a digital assets platform offering diversified cryptocurrency bundles similar to index funds prevalent in mainstream investing. The funding will be used to refine the platform's technology...
AI to unlock insurance value
The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the insurance and broader financial services sector will see the industry become more proactive in its ability to make decisions in real-time regarding the risks covered in their contracts. According to Johan Reyneke,...
A holistic approach to achieving customer, economic value in financial services
What's keeping banking and financial services executives up at night in 2019? Take your pick of any number of issues: regulation, technology or new market entrants. One of the most contentious issues for many business leaders is how to create a unique customer...
Chatbots elevate customer experience in financial services
The growing sophistication of chatbots and the artificial intelligence (AI) that powers them could soon make time-consuming, frustrating interactions with financial services companies thing of the past. "Chatbots will dramatically change how you interact with a range...
Secure enterprise mobility in the insurance sector
Finding the delicate balance between productivity and security is possible with platform applications on authenticated smart devices, write Malcolm Vather: solutions design manager at T-Systems South Africa Whether we're talking about life cover, short-term insurance,...
Cash logistics becomes fully automated
With South Africa predominantly a cash-driven country, cash logistics is without a doubt a main artery of our economy. Equally important, is having world-class solutions to track the cash, throughout the cash cycle. Cash management company, Izicash announces its...
AI inspires new IT trends for banks, insurance providers
Financial and insurance industries across EMEA are known for their organically grown legacy IT infrastructures. By Patrick Maphopha, technology evangelist and chief technology officer at NetApp Africa Although South Africa has seen the rise of challenger banks such as...