[ what's new... recent notes on activity, sightings, ideas, thoughts and such - mostly based on the website traffic data... nothing too old ]

August 21, 2008 18:40: It has been reported that the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) in Saudi Arabia has commenced a project to replace its legacy banking systems with a comprehensive SAP core banking solution that is Syariah-compliant for Islamic banking requirements. An SAP Transaction Banking solution will manage the funds, loans and projects distributed by the bank, and an integrated SAP Business Suite will manage back office operations.

August 21, 2008 16:30: As previously announced (ref. Aug 6, 2008), the National Australia Bank has chosen Oracle as its partner for the first phase of the Next Generation Platform (NGP) project. NAB explain NGP is a 5-year initiative to overhaul the core banking systems and the early phases will deliver the platform for the Star Direct business service model to enable branchless banking opportunities. Most of the software requirements are expected to be supported by the Oracle suite and i-flex Flexcube will serve as the foundation of Star Direct. NAB say they are to still to determine who they will partner with for the full, multi-year core banking system replacement programme.

August 18, 2008 16:01: Metavante, who hooked up with Temenos in 2007 around the less successful TCB product, now will jointly market the TEMENOS T24 core banking software package to foreign banking & finance institutions in the United States.

August 15, 2008 20:06: Inquiries for "core banking systems" are the most common, and first-time visitors are recorded daily. Today the first time visitor inquiry that stood out came from the HK-based investment banking subsidiary of a prominent Chinese banking group.

August 15, 2008 9:42: The week has seen higher than usual core banking system inquiries and activity all round from Central and South American countries.

August 9, 2008 7:05: The latest 'vendor of interest' listing added to the core banking resource pages introducing the Center of Financial Technologies | CFT solutions from Russia.

August 6, 2008 8:48: In a much-awaited decision, NAB (National Australia Bank) has announced Oracle (read i-Flex Flexcube) has been selected to replace legacy core banking systems over the next five years. A major competitive win. Note: the top 4 Australian banks are all planning large-scale core banking projects over the coming years.

August 3, 2008 9:00: Recent activity could indicate that the big four core banking products in Asia Pacific can be seen from the various combinations of Finacle vs BaNCS vs T24 vs flexcube.

August 1, 2008 10:00: The July 2008 numbers are compiled and the lastest iRankings posted. Up significantly in the rankings, based on stronger than usual inquiry activity, was Financial Objects. No doubt, this was driven by the Temenos acquisition plans. Infosys is up higher than rank 4 for the first time in about a year (at #3).

July 29, 2008 14:28: Updates posted in the core banking resource pages presenting the new identity and branding for Cobiscorp universal banking solution.

July 26, 2008 10:55: New 'vendor of interest' listing added to the core banking resource pages introducing Info Dynamic Core Banking solution from India.

July 25, 2008 08:00: ANZ NZ have a transformation plan aimed at consolidating operations and removing duplication, making greater use of electronic channels and outbound calling, and core systems rationalisation. They are considering a move to a common core banking system for New Zealand operations. ANZ elsewhere has started using the Infosys Finacle core banking system in the Laos (live July 2008) and Indonesian operations, and intend to continue this approach for other locations in Asia.

July 23, 2008 15:00: A couple of inquiries noticed for "Temenos TCB problem" (it is widely known there have been problems around the CoreBanking product and projects, but is there something new?)

July 20, 2008 08:39: Noticed NAB announced they expect to more than halve the number of their IT staff through the ITO plan to further outsource large chunks of IT including development of much of the the next generation platform to Indian companies, Infosys and Satyam | Other current indications are that core banking implementation consultants with Oracle and i-flex flexcube experience will be in greater demand in Australia soon.

July 19, 2008 10:50: It has been jointly announced that Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is the new implementation partner for the Avaloq Banking System. Initially based cooperating in the Bank Sarasin project, TCS intends to establish an Avaloq testing center for Bank Sarasin and, in turn, the Bank will position TCS as their partner for the implementation of the Avaloq Banking System in their overseas operations. It can be expected that future international projects involving Avaloq Banking System will see TCS taking on more of the migration, testing and implementation responsibilities.

July 18, 2008 11:44: Noticed repeated searches inquiring about news on "Slaterlabs investment" (?) and wonder if it is not too late for them.

July 18, 2008 13:30: Not sure if it is a trend, but new core banking systems "inquirers" this week accounted for a higher than usual proportion of website visitor traffic numbers overall. It is the sort of trend we like, as, no doubt, do the vendors listed and receiving the actual referrals.

July 18, 2008 10:44: Technisys (US) has a new listing in the popular resource pages showcasing their J2EE SOA Cyberbank Core banking software suite.

July 14, 2008 19:23: New vendor listings added- it is refreshing to learn about Abba Software and their Nova Doba core system from Croatia - designed and developed in the last 6 years on multi-layer technology - utilizes a database model that is open to client institutions so they can develop modifications and interfaces by themselves - Dusko Dimitrijevic is the head of development in Abba - in the 80’s he was best known for the computer games he wrote like Kung-Fu

July 14, 2008 8:09: Repeated searches for "DBS Singapore Finacle" or similar terms might imply news is expected about the "never ending" core banking systems activity there | it is noted that activity from Cambodia is stepping up around core banking systems (including current National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) selection cycle)

July 10, 2008 10:27: First time inquiries for "core banking systems" are common, and today we saw another first time visitor inquiry for "CBS software bank banco" from a medium sized commercial bank in Peru (identified).

July 9, 2008 18:33: Recorded a first time visitor inquiry for "core banking systems" from an identified bank in Egypt

July 9, 2008 9:55: A flurry of inquires spotted overnight about core banking systems and vendors from Costa Rican banks including BCR and BIC | also another indication that the big NAB decision downunder could be going with Oracle i-flex

July 8, 2008 9:30: Activity from Australia and NZ indicates Infosys Finacle and Oracle/i-flex Flexcube are still on top of a couple of big core banking system decision lists.

July 3, 2008 21:40: Inquiry activity looking for "Financial Objects Temenos" led to the news item about ""Financial Objects acquisition: Temenos has announced the recommended cash acquisition of Financial Objects UK..."

July 1, 2008 20:30: New activity from Singapore's largest bank looking for "private banking application system" information, and a leading Belgium institution name is seeking comparative data on Misys's Midasplus vs Temenos T24.

July 1, 2008 10:00: The June 2008 numbers have been compiled and Temenos is back on top in the iRankings, just ahead of Fidelity systems activity. Latin American system vendors, Top Systems (Topaz) and Bantotal (DLyA) - both of Uruguay - have continued moving up in the rankings based on strong inquiry activity. Slaterlabs was also up 10 places - the increased interest could have something to do with the rumours of problems there, though it could just be a result of the extra consultant's talking point (Vendor of the Month) links we posted last month.

June 29, 2008 08:44: Datapro of the US is being prepared for listing in the popular resource pages showcasing their browser-based e-IBS core banking system.

June 26, 2008 14:59: Overnight visitor traffic included a first time inquiry for "core banking system" from an identified Colombian bank.

June 26, 2008 19:30: Today Alltel Systematics and Sanchez Profile lookups led many to the Fidelity summary page ... making it the most popular vendor page today by far.

June 26, 2008 12:30: Noted amongst the overnight traffic was a first time inquiry for "core banking system" from a top ranked Chinese commercial bank.

June 25, 2008 14:02: Australia and Colombia activity noted: 2x inquiries about core banking systems from Australia this morning - one from a Newcastle institiution, and the other about a NSW credit union. And there was a first time inquiry from a NSW-based bank yesterday. Likewise, 2 inquiries in from banks in Bogota - one looking for Infosys and the other TCS FNS.

June 22, 2008 14:24: The Agriculture Development Bank tender cycle and Nepal Bank are both active scenarios as evidenced by the number of continuing core banking information inquiries and look-ups out of Nepal.

June 20, 2008 20:03: Sanchez Profile core banking from Fidelity (FNIS) is specifically looked for more often (mostly by parties from Europe & USA) and expect to see more take up. A common set of search terms lately is “Profile core banking system” | Topaz Trace AML from Top Systems of Uruguay is attracting attention as evidenced by the number of global inquires we see | A growing area of activity around "core banking systems" is Australia generally - over the past 6 months or so, there has been almost a rush of interest from consultants and SI's downunder | CBA has already decided to update / replace legacy core systems with the help of Accenture and SAP | Spotted today was a Google search coming out of Australia for "national oracle finacle"- not a surprise as National Australia Bank (NAB) is nearing the end of the process to choose a new core banking solution to replace the aging legacy core banking systems in use. The choice is between the Finacle system sold by Infosys and the i-flex Flexcube system sold by Oracle, with perhaps a preference for Oracle over Infosys. Note: NAB has previously awarded key IT services contracts to Indian outsourcing giants Infosys and Satyam | ...and ANZ is already implementing Infosys's Finacle core banking system for its operations in Asia | Traffic is increasing from the Americas overall, with Latin America being looked at by more and more vendors and consultants.