October 16, 2017

Accenture Research: Most Large Global Banks Planning Major Investments in Open Banking

Half believe competitive pressure will force them to give data-access to third-parties as a service to customers

NEW YORK, LONDON and HONG KONG; Oct. 16, 2017 – All but one of 100 payments executives at large banks said their bank plans to make major investments in Open Banking initiatives by 2020, according to the results of a global study by Accenture (NYSE:ACN).

Open Banking is an emerging service model that allows customers to share access to their financial data with non-bank third parties, which can then use that data to provide the customer with a better banking experience. Banks can also use the Open Banking platform to offer plug-and-play financial products to third parties, such as retailers or fintech companies, ultimately expanding their reach to new customers.

The survey found that nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of banks in North America believe that implementing Open Banking is critical to competing with new entrants – such as fintechs and tech giants – and will help banks remain relevant, compared to half (51 percent) of executives surveyed in Europe and two-fifths (40 percent) in Asia Pacific. In fact, half (52 percent) of all the bank executives surveyed believe that they will be forced to implement Open Banking in order to compete with traditional competitors (i.e. other large banks) that have invested in digital transformation.

“Unlike banks in Europe where it is mandated by regulation, those in North America and Asia Pacific have the luxury of deciding if, how and when they will implement Open Banking, and we expect many will do so as a way to more easily offer integrated financial services to customers,” said Alan McIntyre, a senior managing director at Accenture and head of its Banking practice. “As European banks ready their networks for compliance, banks across the globe are identifying opportunities to drive new revenue streams by offering services to third parties, such as consumer credit checks and identity management, enabled by Open Banking.”

In Europe, Open Banking is being driven by the Revised Payments Service Directive (PSD2), a regulation taking effect January 2018 that will enable consumers to share their financial data securely with banks and third parties, making it possible for them to more easily transfer funds, compare products and manage their accounts without their bank’s involvement. While Open Banking is a regulatory requirement in Europe, market competition is driving North American banks to a high-level of interest in implementing Open Banking.

According to the study, two-thirds (66 percent) of bank executives believe that Open Banking will help create new revenue streams for their organization, and 90 percent expect it to drive incremental revenue growth of up to 10 percent.

Most bank executives surveyed believe that Open Banking provides more an opportunity than a threat and makes it easier for consumers to access their products. However, many also believe that Open Banking will introduce more interfaces, leading to potential security and fraud vulnerabilities. Survey findings include:

• More than two-thirds (71 percent) of respondents at European banks view Open Banking as more an opportunity than a threat, versus 63 percent in Asia Pacific and 60 percent in North America.
• The majority (71 percent) believe Open Banking will make it easier for customers to access more targeted banking products and offers.
  • According to the results of the survey, some banks can already distribute third-party banking products to consumers with whom they do not have a primary relationship: 37 percent in North America, 29 percent in Europe and 23 percent in Asia Pacific.
• Half (50 percent) of all respondents, and nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of those in Europe, believe that implementing Open Banking will increase the level of risk in the banking industry.

“Open Banking provides myriad opportunities for banks to generate new revenues and offer new products; however, it also puts banks at risk of becoming back-end, transactional players, with their products and brands buried deep in another transaction,” continued McIntyre. “Banks have an opportunity to use their trusted position with consumers to own the customer relationship, and provide the seamless digital experience customers want and that Open Banking enables.”

Visit www.accenture.com/OpenBanking

Methodology
Accenture Research surveyed 100 payments executives familiar with Open Banking at large banks globally (>$5 billion in revenue for banks in North America, the UK, Spain, Italy, France and Germany; >$3 billion in revenue for banks in Asia Pacific, and other European markets) to determine their appetite and plans for implementing Open Banking. The online survey was conducted Aug. 8-28, 2017.

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About Accenture
Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries and all business functions – underpinned by the world’s largest delivery network – Accenture works at the intersection of business and technology to help clients improve their performance and create sustainable value for their stakeholders. With approximately 425,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world works and lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

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Contact:

Melissa Volin
Accenture
+1 267 216 1815
melissa.volin@accenture.com