Why 'Agile and Adaptive Banking' is the only survival mantra.

The banking industry is characterized by constant change, and adapting is crucial for capitalizing on opportunities and minimizing risks. The increasing demand for real-time information is causing a corresponding evolution and escalation in customer expectations and a transition from physical to virtual service delivery. 

Need for Agile and Adaptive Banking  

We are living in very interesting and exciting times. There are many technologies, very different expectations of customers, and strange geo-political situations. 

Data has emerged as the new currency in sophisticated technologies, such as artificial intelligence, empowering developers to generate more insightful products and services. 

Also, banking is now embedded in all our daily actions. While earlier, banking meant going to a bank branch or ATM or logging into a bank's website, banking in the form of 'embedded banking' is now embedded into all our daily purchase/sale transactions. 

With the help of recent innovations like 'Open Banking," 'Embedded Finance," 'Banking as a Service," 'Digital Currency," etc., many fintech are coming up with products and services that customers like. 

This often pushes the banks to adapt to the 'new normal' or join hands with fintech as customers demand 'Real-time, instant gratification with personalized experience."

Unbundling of financial services is happening, and if a bank is rigid in its approach, customers will simply walk away from that bank. 

Simultaneously, financial criminals are transforming into data scientists and mathematicians to comprehend the power of data, generating ever-evolving threats and risks.

Each of these developments significantly influences the conventional banking paradigm.

Boundaries and roles are becoming increasingly indistinct due to the competition among established banks, conventional competitors, and emerging entities from non-banking sectors.

Concurrently, IT environments comprised of disparate legacy systems need to be fixed, putting pressure on financial institutions to adopt composable, modern infrastructures that simplify data collection, analysis, and utilization. 

What is "Agile and Adaptive Banking" 

Agile and adaptive banking are revolutionizing the banking industry, which has earlier faced a lot of challenges in terms of overall flexibility and customer expectations.

With the help of advancements, evolving customer expectations, and a volatile market, banks are now embracing an approach to keep up with the changing times.

Agile and adaptive banking depart from the waterfall product development and service delivery model.

This traditional approach involved planning cycles and large-scale releases.

Instead, Agile and adaptive banking emphasize a flexible methodology. By learning, incorporating feedback loops, and making data-driven decisions, banks can swiftly adapt to market fluctuations and cater to customer needs effectively. 

Adaptive banking means that a bank can listen to the feedback given by a customer and create a product as per his needs or modify its product/services as per the feedback given.

Earlier, it took a lot of work to achieve that. The reason was that banks had either manual systems or semi-automated systems. It took a lot of work to implement any change as all departments needed to assess and explain the impact of the planned changes.

Now, with IT systems, which are MACH architecture (Micro-services based , Agile, cloud native, and headless), banks can quickly assess the impact of any planned change and implement it soon.

The whole idea of agile is that the bank ( or their IT vendor) should be able to make small changes, show them to the customer, collect feedback, and immediately incorporate those changes in the next sprint.

 'Adaptive banking' seeks to tailor banking services through incremental changes instead of revolutionary, one-time transformations by understanding consumer expectations, activities, and behaviors.

Adopting a composable framework for banking infrastructure would enable financial institutions to offer distinctive and pioneering services independently or in collaboration with external entities. 

Adaptive banking is predicated on establishing an agile business and architecture strategy that permits modifications to be implemented rapidly and efficiently.

Features of "Agile and Adaptive Banking": 

1. Agile Practices: Banks adopt methodologies such as Scrum or Kanban. In these approaches, teams work in sprints, prioritize customer feedback, and deliver value promptly. For bigger teams SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) is prescribed.

2. Data & Analytics: Banks harness real-time data analysis techniques that leverage intelligence (AI) and machine learning capabilities. This empowers them to gain insights into customer requirements and preferences while personalizing products/services accordingly. Additionally, predictive analytics assists in anticipating consumer behaviors.

3. Customer Centricity: The core focus of adaptive banking lies in fostering relationships with customers by providing tailored experiences that align with their needs.

By embracing these principles, banks can navigate the finance landscape efficiently while meeting evolving customer demands head-on.

4. Adaptive Culture: Cultivating a culture that encourages experimentation, collaboration, and continuous learning, empowering teams to make decisions and learn from failures. Adapt to the ever-changing market dynamics.

Fundamental Principals of "Agile and Adaptive Banking":

1. Moving from Fragmented Systems to a Harmonious Customer Experience: Traditional banking often resembled departments playing instruments, resulting in disconnected melodies for customers.

Agile and adaptive banking dismantle these barriers, orchestrating a customer symphony where teams collaborate to deliver a financial experience.

2. Customer centricity: Placing customers at the core of every decision-making process by prioritizing their needs and preferences above all else.

3. They harness Data and algorithms as Guides: Picture Beethoven leveraging AI and Machine Learning.

That's the essence of adaptive banking—where data analysis and algorithms act as guides, enabling teams to grasp real-time customer needs and personalize services like virtuosos. Real-time data analysis is no longer limited to rocket science.

Agile banking utilizes AI and machine learning to comprehend customer needs, personalize offerings, and predict behaviors. This approach makes financial services more relevant and proactive.

4. Unleashing Innovation Through Continuous Iterations: No more waiting for grand product launches! Gone are the days of "set it and forget it." Agile and adaptive banking embraces the philosophy of "Always ready to Ship & Ship often."

By delivering and refining features based on customer feedback, banks become innovation engines that continuously strive for experiences.- Agile embraces a culture of learning and improvement. Customer feedback drives iterations, ensuring products and services constantly evolve to meet changing demands.

We can say that with this, team members learn how to shoot. Once they know 'how to shoot," they can shoot even if the target is moving.  

5. Sprints and Kanban Boards: Imagine moving away from five-year plans and embracing focused two-week sprints. Agile methodology breaks down projects into tasks visually represented on Kanban boards. This enables teams to prioritize collaboration effectively and deliver value rapidly.

6. Collaboration Across Functions: Silos are dismantled! Agile promotes collaboration between teams such as marketers, developers, and bankers. This ensures a customer experience from start to finish.

No more 'Integration Testing' at the end of the significant development cycle, where everyone does finger-pointing. Now, collaboration is a must from day one.  

7. Empowerment and Ownership: It's about more than mindlessly following instructions. Agile empowers teams to make decisions and experiment with ideas. Take ownership of their work. This fosters a culture of innovation and accountability.

History : 

The journey towards adaptive banking began in the 1990s and early 2000s when Agile software development methodologies like Scrum and Kanban emerged. Initially embraced by tech companies, these methodologies gradually entered the sector thanks to pioneers like ING and Standard Chartered Bank. 

Several vital milestones mark the history of adaptive banking:

 In 2001, the publication of the Agile Manifesto established the core principles and values of methodologies.

 In 2009, the Financial Services Technology (FST) industry released a paper called "Agile in Financial Services," highlighting the benefits of using Agile in banking.

 Throughout the 2010s, leading institutions such as HSBC, BBVA, and Citigroup accelerated their adoption of practices by establishing teams and projects.

 The COVID-19 pandemic in the 2020s further emphasized the importance of agility and adaptability for banks. This crisis pushed them to embrace transformation initiatives along with data-driven approaches.

These developments demonstrate how banks have recognized that adopting methodologies can bring changes to their operations for enhanced efficiency and customer satisfaction. 

The impact of adaptive banking is extensive, bringing about changes in how banks operate across various aspects;

1. Product development: Agile and adaptive practices enable banks to bring products and services to market faster, enabling them to seize emerging opportunities

2. Customer experience: Banks can enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty by leveraging data-driven interactions.

3. Operational efficiency: Banks can reduce costs through development and process automation. Optimize resource allocation effectively.

4. Innovation: Agile and adaptive banking foster a culture of experimentation, continuous learning, creativity, and the creation of solutions.

Now let's delve into how Agile and adaptive banking functions in real-life scenarios;

Imagine a bank embarking on the development of a mobile banking app. Following a linear approach, the bank would embrace an Agile framework that breaks down the project into smaller sprints with iterative cycles.

Each sprint would deliver features based on user research findings and feedback from previous iterations. This iterative process enables the bank to continuously test, refine, and tailor the app to meet evolving user requirements.

The role of data in this process cannot be overstated. Real-time analytics provide insights into user behavior that help the bank identify areas for improvement while prioritizing features that resonate with customers.

This approach, driven by data, ensures that the bank efficiently directs its resources toward providing valuable solutions.

Transitioning towards adaptive banking comes with its set of challenges. It involves changing established cultures, integrating technologies, and breaking organizational barriers.

This process can be complex. Requires commitment from both management and staff. However, the potential rewards are substantial, as demonstrated by the success stories of adopters.

Agile and adaptive banking represents a shift in the financial services industry. By embracing a customer centric approach, iterative development practices, and leveraging data-driven insights, banks can navigate through periods of change with agility and resilience.

As the financial landscape continues to evolve, those who embrace principles will be best positioned to thrive in the years.  

Adoption of Agile Methodology:

According to a survey on the future of banking, it was found that 75% of banking executives worldwide have plans to invest in initiatives focused on transformation within the next two years. Similarly, per another Banking Transformation Survey, it was revealed that 80% of banks in North America have either already adopted or are actively planning to adopt some form of agile methodology.

Now that we understand how adaptive banking departs from finance by embracing a data-driven and customer-centric approach let's delve into more specific details, such as their key features, potential benefits, and real-world applications.

Advantages of Agile and Adaptive Banking:

1. Reduced Time to Market: Get products and services into customers' hands faster than before, outpacing competitors in an ever-changing financial landscape. According to a Report, 78% of banks that utilize methodologies report time-to-market results, while 64% experience increased customer satisfaction.

2. Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: Delivering experiences catering to needs results in happier and more loyal customers. As per another Banking Report, Banks that have practices achieve a 25% faster rate of product launches, with a 10% higher level of customer satisfaction than traditional banks

3. Overall Reduced Costs: Streamline processes and embrace iterations to minimize waste and rework, leading to cost savings and improved efficiency.

4. Increased Innovation: Cultivating a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement that fosters a flow of ideas and innovative solutions.

5. Better and Improved Risk Management: Utilized real-time data analysis to identify and mitigate risks, ensuring the safety of both banks and customers.

How it impacts you: 

Imagine a bank that adapts seamlessly to your spending habits—no one-size-fits-all budgeting tools. Agile banking can analyze your transactions, provide saving goals and budgeting tips, or even adjust credit limits based on your spending patterns.

Bid farewell to loan application procedures. Forget about weeks filled with paperwork frustration or waiting periods. AI-powered agile lending platforms can evaluate your creditworthiness in minutes, providing almost instant loan approvals. This makes borrowing money more accessible.

Imagine a bank that can anticipate your needs even before you realize them. Picture receiving notifications when it's time to pay your insurance premium and suggestions for investment opportunities based on life events. It can automatically adjust your insurance coverage as your risk profile changes. This is the future of assistance enabled by agile and adaptable banking.

Many leading banks like DBS (Singapore), Metro Bank (UK), ING (Netherlands), and Citigroup ( USA) have successfully embraced adaptive banking.

The agility revolution is not confined to bank tellers or trading floors; it also extends across industries.

Its principles ultimately impact industries, changing how organizations perceive, react to, and generate customer value.

Healthcare: Picture hospitals utilizing real-time data analysis to anticipate needs and automatically adjust treatment plans. Agile practices can streamline processes, reducing waiting times and freeing up healthcare professionals to concentrate on care. This data-driven approach might even lead to healthcare ultimately revolutionizing how we manage our well-being.

Retail: Say goodbye to one-size-fits-marketing campaigns and static product lines. Agile retail empowers stores to analyze customer behavior and personalize offers. Create products based on real-time feedback. Imagine a clothing store that automatically suggests outfits based on your browsing history and personal style preferences or a grocery store that adjusts its inventory based on demand and dietary trends. This level of dynamic customization promises to revolutionize the industry by providing a highly personalized shopping experience.

Technology: The industry that spearheaded methodologies is now confronting its transformative phase. Tech companies employ practices to expedite software development, consistently enhance user interfaces, and swiftly respond to evolving market demands.

The continuous process of iteration does not drive innovation. It also ensures that technology solutions remain up-to-date and focused on users' needs in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

In conclusion

Adopting adaptable practices goes beyond buzzwords; they represent a fundamental shift in how organizations function. 

Businesses across industries can unlock flexibility, innovation, and customer satisfaction levels by embracing an approach prioritizing customers' decision-making and constant improvement. 

The future belongs to those who can adapt to change. Agile practices provide the framework for organizations to navigate the ever-evolving demands of the modern world easily.

As we move forward, the boundaries between industries will become distinct, and agile principles will become the language among successful organizations, shaping how we work, consume goods and services, and interact with our surroundings.