Financial services CEOs are feeling bullish. Very bullish, indeed. Consider this: in a recent survey of US financial services CEOs, 98 percent expressed confidence in their company’s growth prospects over the next three years.   They recognize that their markets and models are being disrupted. But 95 percent see this as more of an opportunity than a threat. In fact, 84 percent seem to feel they are already actively disrupting the sectors in which they operate. Almost nine out of ten CEOs say they are personally prepared to lead their organization through the radical change that is upon them.

Certainly, when compared to their global competitors, US-based financial services firms seem to be ahead on the road to enterprise transformation. According to our data, while they have achieved more than their global counterparts, there is still a small percentage that have achieved ROI from their digital transformation journey. However, encouragingly they have already adopted AI in some of their processes and we expect that number to grow.  They are almost three times as likely to say their technology investments are largely strategic rather than tactical.

Percent of financial services CEOs that say they... Global US
Are confident in their company’s growth prospects over the next 3 years 90% 98%
Are personally prepared to lead their organization through radical transformation 71% 88%
Have already achieved significant ROI on their overall digital transformation program 5% 14%
Have already adopted AI in some of their processes 12% 32%
Believe their technology investments to be largely tactical versus strategic 42% 13%

 

My concern, however, is that some financial services organizations may be driving headlong towards the wrong destination. A lot can change in the course of three years. And nobody truly knows what customers will want and expect from their financial services firms by then. Agility and flexibility will be key.

My conversations with the CEOs of leading financial services firms suggests there are five things that companies can do to help improve the flexibility of their transformation journey.

  1. Focus on characteristics: Rather than prioritizing the implementation of a specific technology, channel or model, financial services decision-makers should be focused on identifying and developing the characteristics they hope to demonstrate by the end of their transformation journey. This will not only help decision-makers stay focused on what is important to the organization, it will also help employees understand the value and importance of the transformation.
  2. Hire the right people at the right time: The financial services workforce is rapidly changing and many organizations are struggling to find and ‘onboard’ talent with the capabilities required to drive the transformation and run the financial services enterprise of the future. Having the right skills available at the right time is key to achieving flexibility in your transformation plan.
  3. Consider the value of alliances and partnerships: Be realistic about your core competencies as an organization and seek out partnerships and alliances that can deliver the specialized skills and capabilities you require through the transformation journey and beyond. Alliance partners are key to creating flexibility in your organizational capabilities and delivering on customer expectations in a disruptive marketplace.
  4. Fix the foundations: Whether it is out of date organizational structures or inflexible legacy IT infrastructures, many financial services organizations are finding that their traditional operations and technology are increasingly becoming an impediment to growth. Financial services decision-makers will need to swiftly address these challenges if they hope to deliver on their vision for their organization.
  5. Build trust in your data: Our survey shows that few financial services executives fully trust their data; 80 percent admit they have ignored insights from their D&A models because they contradicted their own personal experience. But data and analytics is key to fast and flexible decision-making. Finding ways to improve organizational trust in data and analytics will be critical.

To be clear, I view this year’s CEO Outlook data as a very positive sign that US-based financial services firms are undergoing real and sustainable transformation. The fact that CEOs are highly confident in their strategies and personal skills is encouraging.

But remember – it won’t be the first to finish their transformation journey that will be the winner of tomorrow’s customers but rather the ones that reach the right destination at the right time. Make sure your organization is sprinting in the right direction.

Some or all of the services described herein may not be permissible for audit clients and their affiliates.

 

What characteristics should your organization be focusing on? Here are some of the key characteristics of the 21st Century Enterprise:

Purposeful: The organization has a clear strategy and vision that is well understood throughout the organization

Passionate: The right culture and values are in place to drive a passionate response from employees and customers

Prepared: Enabling governance and execution capabilities allows the business to act quickly and decisively

Engaged: The workforce is motivated and energized by their work and the vision

Quality mindset: The focus is on delivering the highest quality products and services

Controlled: Compliance and risk management are in balance with growth and business aspiration.

Innovative: Collaboration and innovation are core competencies and key differentiators

Entrepreneurial: The culture supports and encourages independent thought and action

Flexible: Agile technologies and enabling technological platforms drive business growth

Data-driven: Data is a valued asset that is monetized for competitive advantage

Customer-focused: All parts of the organization are dedicated to delivering superior customer experiences

Optimized: Financial and operational processes are highly efficient and responsive

Insightful: Deep analytical capabilities are used to drive decision-making

Service-oriented: The ability to offer almost everything as a service. 

Some or all of the services described herein may not be permissible for audit clients and their affiliates.   

------------------     

The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act upon such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.  Content that displays the KPMG logo or uses the KPMG name shall include the following trademark ownership statement, once. The KPMG name and logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of KPMG International. A copyright statement shall appear once on printed materials, but on every page of digital content. KPMG LLP’s copyright statement should be used for all KPMG U.S.-created content. 

 © 2018 KPMG LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership and the U.S. member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. [Printed in the US].

Connect with us