Approximately 97% of SMEs are micro enterprises, meaning they have fewer than 10 employees, or are sole proprietors, and/or have an overall revenue of below €2m. Whilst they fall under the SME umbrella, their needs are anything but similar and banks are best advised to provide the service their unique set of circumstances require.
Topics: relationship banking, machine learning for finance, SME banking, Artificial Intelligence, small business
There is no doubt that embracing digital transformation is a must to grow and prosper in today’s business world.
Organizations of all types across the globe are striving to find the best talent to help them do just that —especially in the tech space. As if that weren’t enough, with the widespread demand for these positions, most companies are facing significant challenges not only in attracting that talent, but in retaining it.
Topics: FinTech, Strands Worldwide, Company Culture, Talent
What is it about that email addressing us personally, or the forgivably misspelled name on the side of a cup at a coffee house that makes all the difference to us? It seems that we, the average consumer, are on a constant search for the personal touch, the antidote for the anonymous and a fulfilling way of reconnecting with others.
Easier perhaps for the coffee house than an international corporation?
How can we expect a global bank of colossal proportions – the usual suspects such as BBVA, Santander, Deutsche Bank or Citi - have a one-to-one conversation at customer level? Given that the branch is increasingly a thing of the past, surely it’s becoming more difficult, as opposed to easier, to give the end-user what they want?
Topics: PFM, relationship banking, Artificial Intelligence, conversational banking
The world is changing. And banking is no exception.
New innovations, technologies, regulations, and developments are continuously unfolding, and this impacts our lives, influences our decision-making and ultimately builds trends.
As for mobile banking trends - they also continue to shift and mature.
So, what exactly is mobile banking?
Topics: banking, mobile banking, Mobile PFM, digital money management, financial technology
Mobile is without doubt the present of banking and a pillar of the consumer’s pursuit for relevant, on-hand amenities. While digital doesn’t just mean good things for the customer; financial institutions are interested in the online model as it is significantly less expensive, more accessible, and can produce more customer intelligence than traditional banking.
But what is the challenge in digital banking transformation? With this shift into mobile, the bank will need to rethink traditional business models, define new revenue sources and above all, keep the customer interacting and engaging in a new way.
That’s exactly when relationship banking comes in.
Topics: relationship banking, ENGAGER, customer insights, banking, personalized finance
The role of Project Manager requires someone who can wear a lot of different hats —especially in the FinTech game— and who has the ability to skillfully accomplish tasks, managing a team of talented people. Zoe Plasencia is one of these phenomenons who makes projects happen at Strands.
Zoe’s career started in IT Development at IBM, spanned to Technical Leadership and progressed to her current role in Project Management (PM) in the digital banking space.
Here, we share a little more about what PM looks like for her, what’s unique about her position at Strands, and what her preferred methodologies are in reaching company goals successfully.
Topics: Project Manager, FinTech project management, Company Culture