Automation can be used to improve customer experience and ultimately grow revenue
A new report from Capgemini's Digital Transformation Institute reveals that the financial services industry could expect to add up to $512bn to global revenues by 2020 through 'intelligent automation1', the right combination of robotics process automation (RPA), artificial intelligence (AI), and business process optimization applied cohesively to achieve business objectives. The reportGrowth in the machine: How financial services can move intelligent automation from cost play to growth strategydemonstrates the breadth of opportunity for the financial services sector in embracing these technologies.
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Capgemini Automation in FS Infographic (Photo: Business Wire)
To date, automation technologies, such as RPA, have been implemented by the financial services industry to drive down costs and create efficiencies. If RPA is deployed, a business can realize a 10-25 percent increase in cost savings, potentially scaling to 30-50 percent with AI-enhanced RPA.2
"A lot of things will happen in automation in the next couple of years. RPA is just one tool in the toolbox. We will also use AI-based tools and process optimization techniques for automation in the financial market," said Jenny Dahlström, Deputy Head of Business Support and Development and Head of Robotic Implementation for Handelsbanken Capital Markets.
Automation can generate revenue
Leaders within the financial services industry have begun taking automation directly to their customers, using it as a revenue generator rather than just a cost saver. The Capgemini report found that, on average, over one-third (35 percent) of financial services firms have seen a 2-5 percent increase in topline growth from automation, with faster time-to-market and improved cross-selling efforts as the key factors that influence gains. Meanwhile, 64 percent of organizations from across different segments have seen improvement in customer satisfaction by more than 60 percent through intelligent automation, according to the report.
With such substantial gains made possible by intelligent automation, it is not surprising that an increasing number of financial services firms are considering deploying the technology on the front line. The report finds that more than half of firms (55 percent) are focused on increasing customer satisfaction through automation, while close to half (45 percent) see growing revenue as a key objective.
Adoption of intelligent automation remains low
In addition to the tangible benefits offered by intelligent automation, the report suggests another reason why financial services organizations are exploring the technology is the growing threat from non-traditional players. The study says that nearly half (45 percent) of organizations believe that BigTech3 players, such as Amazon and Alphabet, will be their competitors in the next five years.
Despite the clear opportunities and advancing threats posed by BigTech entrants, adoption of intelligent automation has been slow. Only 10 percent of companies have implemented the technology to scale, with the majority of firms struggling with business, technology, and people challenges. The report reveals that only around one in four organizations has the technological maturity to implement cognitive automation technologies comprising machine learning, computer vision, and biometrics. Most organizations still have RPA, or at best Natural Language Processing (NLP), forming the backbone of their automation initiatives.
Anirban Bose, member of the Group Executive Board and Head of Capgemini's Financial Services Global Business Unit said, "The most visionary financial services firms have leaders with a sophisticated view of the potential impact automation can have throughout their business. And they are already reaping the rewards. Hundreds of billions of dollars in automation-generated revenue is up for grabs in the coming years. Only those companies that deploy this technology in a way that looks beyond cost cutting and focuses on creating value for customers and shareholders will be able to win in the marketplace."
Making the case for automation
The study finds several factors that are preventing organizations from moving beyond proof-of-concept to actually deploying intelligent automation. These challenges span the business organization, technology infrastructure, and talent. Around four in 10 organizations (43 percent) are struggling to establish a clear business case for automation. Many organizations are also struggling to persuade leadership to commit to a cohesive intelligent automation strategy (41 percent.) Additionally, successful automation deployment and scaling-up requires talent with a deep understanding of RPA and AI technologies. Almost half of businesses (48 percent) say they struggle to find the right resources to implement intelligent automation effectively. Also, 46 percent said that the lack of an adequate data management strategy hampers progress as AI-based automation algorithms require the right data at sufficient volumes.
"In my opinion, the evolution of automation in financial services will be very similar to the automotive industry revolution in the 70s and 80s. The role of humans in processes will dramatically change and focus on things that humans are much better at in terms of design and problem solving and leaving the repetitive rules-based stuff to the robots. Though it won't happen in two years, I also know it's not going to take 20 years," said Jose Ordinas Lewis, Head, Robotic Automation Center for Swiss Re.
A copy of the report can be downloaded here.
Capgemini's Automation in Financial Services Report Methodology
Capgemini surveyed 1,500 senior executives from 750 global organizations over the period of February March 2018. The sectors Capgemini focused on were retail and commercial banks, capital markets and life and non-life insurance. Of the organizations, 42 percent had global revenues greater than $10 billion. The survey covered organizations from nine countries France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, India, United Kingdom, and United States.
About Capgemini
A global leader in consulting, technology services and digital transformation, Capgemini is at the forefront of innovation to address the entire breadth of clients' opportunities in the evolving world of cloud, digital and platforms. Building on its strong 50-year heritage and deep industry-specific expertise, Capgemini enables organizations to realize their business ambitions through an array of services from strategy to operations. Capgemini is driven by the conviction that the business value of technology comes from and through people. It is a multicultural company of 200,000 team members in over 40 countries. The Group reported 2017 global revenues of EUR 12.8 billion.
Visit us at www.capgemini.com.People matter, results count.
About the Digital Transformation Institute
The Digital Transformation Institute is Capgemini's in-house think-tank on all things digital. The Institute publishes research on the impact of digital technologies on large traditional businesses. The team draws on the worldwide network of Capgemini experts and works closely with academic and technology partners. The Institute has dedicated research centers in India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
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1 Intelligent automation is defined as the right combination of RPA, artificial intelligence, and business process optimization applied cohesively to achieve strategic business objectives. Automation is defined as using software to handle high volume, repeatable, rule based tasks which use structured data that previously required a human to perform.
2 Morgan Stanley, "The Rise of the Machines: Automating the Future, September 24, 2017, https://www.morganstanley.com/ideas/process-automation
3 BigTech refers to large multinational technology firms such as Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, and Alibaba.
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