Beyond Bank and Cognizant join forces to lead the future of customer-owned banking

Rhea-AI Summary

Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) has announced a strategic collaboration with Beyond Bank Australia to transform their digital banking experience. The partnership focuses on modernizing IT infrastructure, enhancing operational resilience, and improving customer service through innovative technology solutions. Key initiatives include upgrading End User Compute teams, automating patching processes, implementing a Security Operations Centre, and strengthening vendor assurance frameworks in compliance with APRA standards.

The transformation encompasses cloud and API architecture modernization, Windows 11 migration, and development of a comprehensive data management strategy leveraging AI. These improvements aim to enable faster product launches and better-tailored services, particularly targeting younger demographics while enhancing overall customer experience.

Positive

• Strategic partnership to modernize IT infrastructure and enhance digital capabilities
• Implementation of AI-driven data management strategy for improved customer services
• Development of new technology solutions to target younger demographic market segment
• Enhancement of security and operational resilience through SOC implementation

Negative

• Significant IT infrastructure investment and modernization costs
• Regulatory compliance requirements adding operational complexity

Insights

Financial Technology Analyst

This strategic partnership marks a significant digital transformation initiative for Beyond Bank, encompassing critical areas like IT infrastructure modernization, security enhancement and AI-driven data management. The deal's scope includes EUC team enhancement, automated patching and Windows 11 migration, which should drive operational efficiency and cost reduction. The implementation of a Security Operations Centre (SOC) and strengthened vendor assurance frameworks demonstrates a robust approach to regulatory compliance with APRA standards.

The collaboration's focus on cloud and API architecture modernization is particularly noteworthy, as it positions Beyond Bank to accelerate product development and market deployment. The AI-powered data management strategy should enable more personalized banking services, potentially leading to increased customer acquisition and retention, especially among younger demographics.

Banking Industry Analyst

This partnership addresses critical challenges facing customer-owned banks, including regulatory pressures and the imperative for digital transformation amid rising cost-to-income ratios. The comprehensive scope of modernization efforts, particularly in cloud infrastructure and API architecture, positions Beyond Bank to compete more effectively with larger commercial banks. The focus on younger demographics through enhanced digital services is strategically sound, as this segment represents a important growth opportunity in the banking sector.

For Cognizant, securing Beyond Bank as a "lighthouse client" in the customer-owned banking sector could lead to additional opportunities in this market segment. The deal's emphasis on regulatory compliance and operational resilience aligns well with industry trends and regulatory expectations.

Beyond Bank Australia leverages Cognizant's expertise to modernize IT infrastructure and enhance operational resilience.

SYDNEY and TEANECK, N.J., Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) has announced a collaboration with Beyond Bank Australia, one of Australia's largest customer-owned banks, to help revolutionize the digital banking experience. The collaboration aims to enhance operational resilience, streamline processes and improve customer experience through the implementation of innovative technology solutions.

Cognizant's engagement is expected to uplift Beyond Bank's End User Compute (EUC) teams, automate patching processes, enable self-service and extend the value of existing licenses. These initiatives aim to create an even more resilient and secure environment for Beyond Bank's operations. Additionally, this collaboration seeks to modernize the bank's IT infrastructure, establish a Security Operations Centre (SOC) and strengthen vendor assurance frameworks to help align with the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) standards.

Beyond Bank's digital transformation focuses on several key workstreams, including cloud and API architecture modernization and an enterprise-wide Windows 11 migration. These integrations will be designed to be flexible, scalable and secure technology ecosystems that enable the introduction of new products with enhanced speed to market, further preparing Beyond Bank for future growth.

Cognizant will also help develop a comprehensive data and information management strategy for Beyond Bank. Leveraging AI, this strategy aims to optimize structured data from core banking systems and organize unstructured data from knowledge management sources for organization-wide insights, enabling more tailored services for its customers.

Leveraging Cognizant's deep banking expertise, Beyond Bank will introduce new products and services designed to better serve a younger demographic, while simultaneously enhancing the overall service experience for all customers.

"Our partnership with Cognizant is pivotal in advancing our digital transformation," said Stevie-Ann Dovico, Chief Information Officer, Beyond Bank Australia. "Their expertise allows us to modernize our IT infrastructure and enhance security, aligning with our values as a customer-owned bank. Cognizant's comprehensive approach makes them the ideal partner to help us better serve our customers."

"Beyond Bank is a lighthouse client for us in the customer-owned banking sector," said Rob Marchiori, Australia Country Manager at Cognizant. "By enhancing their digital capabilities, we will help them provide better services to their customers and support paving the way for a resilient banking model that addresses current and future market demands."

The customer-owned banking sector is navigating increased regulatory burdens, economic pressures, and the need for digital transformation. With increased cost-to-income ratios and net interest margins, banks need to modernize operations and enhance customer engagement through innovative technology. The collaboration between Beyond Bank and Cognizant highlights the importance of strategic partnerships in supporting innovation and maintaining service standards in the evolving financial sector.

About Cognizant
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) engineers modern businesses. We help our clients modernize technology, reimagine processes, and transform experiences to stay ahead in our fast-changing world. Together, we're improving everyday life. See how at www.cognizant.com or @cognizant.

About Beyond Bank Australia
Beyond Bank is one of Australia's largest customer-owned banks with branches and offices in New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, ACT and Victoria. We partner with more than 6000 community organisations around the nation to create and return value for our customers and communities. Beyond Bank is a B Corp, a business that is certified as meeting high standards of social and environmental impact, ensuring their practices benefit people, communities and our planet. To learn more, visit beyondbank.com.au 

For more information, contact:
globalcommunications@cognizant.com 

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/beyond-bank-and-cognizant-join-forces-to-lead-the-future-of-customer-owned-banking-302328856.html

SOURCE Cognizant Technology Solutions

FAQ

What are the main objectives of Cognizant's partnership with Beyond Bank Australia?

The partnership aims to modernize IT infrastructure, enhance operational resilience, streamline processes, and improve customer experience through innovative technology solutions, including AI implementation and security improvements.

How will CTSH help Beyond Bank improve its security measures?

Cognizant will establish a Security Operations Centre (SOC) and strengthen vendor assurance frameworks to align with APRA standards, creating a more resilient and secure banking environment.

What technology upgrades will CTSH implement at Beyond Bank?

Cognizant will implement cloud and API architecture modernization, enterprise-wide Windows 11 migration, and develop an AI-driven data management strategy for improved customer services.

How will CTSH's partnership affect Beyond Bank's customer service?

The partnership will enable Beyond Bank to introduce new products and services targeting younger demographics while enhancing the overall service experience through AI-driven insights and modernized IT infrastructure.

What regulatory compliance will CTSH help Beyond Bank achieve?

Cognizant will help Beyond Bank align with Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) standards through enhanced vendor assurance frameworks and security measures.