- Addressing cybersecurity threats and enhancing security is the top priority in 2018
- Two-thirds of banks expect to become digitally mature or digital leaders by 2020
Eighty five percent of banks cite implementation of a digital transformation program as a business priority for 2018, according to the EY Global Banking Outlook 2018. Investment in technology to drive efficiency, manage evolving risks and benefit from growth opportunities is seen by banks as critical for sustainable success.
Addressing cybersecurity is the top priority for global banks (89%) in 2018, replacing last year’s top priority of managing reputational, conduct and culture risks, which falls to sixth place in this year’s report. Recruiting, developing and retaining key talent (83%) also garners significant attention as banks strive to integrate cyber experts into their organizations amidst a skillset shortage.
The survey of senior executives at 221 institutions across Europe, North America, emerging markets and Asia-Pacific shows that banks are seeking to become digitally mature, completing the transition from regulatory-driven transformation to innovation-led change in order to insulate themselves from future downturns. Respondents indicate that few banks (19%) currently consider themselves as either digitally maturing or a digital leader, but more than half (62%) aspire to be one of the two by 2020.
Jan Bellens, EY Global Banking & Capital Markets Deputy Sector Leader, says:
“In order for banks to weather the performance challenges that lie ahead, they must prepare for a future led by innovation and technology. The pace of innovation continues to accelerate, and banks must have a strategy in place to ensure their implementation of new technology is effective.”
Other highlights from the survey include:
- 59% of banks surveyed anticipate that their technology investment budgets will rise by more than 10% in 2018.
- For banks that are beginning to invest or increasing their investment in new technologies 44% plan to purchase the technology from a third party, while only 17% plan to acquire an entity to onboard the technology.
- 70% of banks cite strengthening their competitive positioning as a key reason for investing in technology by 2020.
- Enhancing cyber and data security is the number one priority for banks, with 73% of banks planning to invest in technology to mitigate cybersecurity threats, supporting enhanced cyber and data security as a business priority.
Bill Schlich, EY Global Banking & Capital Markets Leader, says:
"Ten years after the global financial crisis, banks continue to experience increased competition from a range of new market entrants and evolving risks that challenge their ability to deliver sustainable profitability. To perform at the highest level, institutions must emerge from an era of regulatory driven transformation and develop strategies to tackle the new evolving risks that are preoccupying the C-suite.”
The complete report is available to download here.
- Ends -
Notes to Editors
About EY
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.
EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.
This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients.
About EY’s Global Banking & Capital Markets Sector
In today’s globally competitive and highly regulated environment, managing risk effectively while satisfying an array of divergent stakeholders is a key goal of banks and securities firms. EY’s Global Banking & Capital Markets Sector brings together a worldwide team of professionals to help you succeed — a team with deep technical experience in providing assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The Sector team works to anticipate market trends, identify their implications and develop points of view on relevant sector issues. Ultimately, this team enables us to help you meet your goals and compete more effectively.
About the EY Global Banking Outlook 2018
For this report, 221 banking professionals across the global were surveyed between November and December 2017 to provide a review of banks’ reported financial performance, strategic priorities and technology adoption over the next 12 to 36 months. The respondents came from 29 different markets. Of the banking professionals surveyed globally, 33% were from Europe, 10% from North America, 13% from Asia-Pacific developed, 19% from Asia-Pacific emerging and 25% from Emerging.
