Digital transformation in banks

HOW IS THE BANKING SYSTEM CHANGING IN THE ERA OF DIGITALISATION?

WHAT SHOULD THE DIRECTION OF CHANGES IN POLISH BANKS BE?

WHICH COMPETENCES ARE EMPLOYEES LACKING?

New technologies are changing the functioning of the financial system, questioning the role of the bank that has been established over recent centuries. The expectations and needs of individual customers have changed, as they move freely around the web, are used to a wide range of choices and demand careful treatment. The needs of digital companies have also changed, increasingly selling their – often digital – products via e-commerce on international markets and need innovative payment solutions. In order to maintain and expand their market presence, banks must undergo a thorough digital transformation, which requires internal restructuring and a change in thinking about the nature of a banker's work.

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HOW IS THE BANKING SYSTEM CHANGING IN THE ERA OF DIGITALISATION?

One of the flagship products of the digital revolution in the economy is fintechs, which use the potential of the latest technologies to improve the way financial services are provided. The logic of their operation puts the customer at the center of their interest: they usually provide services electronically, allowing customers to use them anywhere and at any time. They also commonly use blockchain solutions, which may threaten the historic role of banks as intermediaries and guarantors of financial transactions.

How do banks react to fintech?
Source: PwC (2017). Global FinTech Report.
“Everyone is focusing a lot on hard skills like computer science, data science and artificial intelligence. Of course, they are important. But what matters most is the combination of hard and soft skills like communication, critical thinking and teamwork. These are skills that are important in any job, and are crucial for professional success across all sectors,” Anant Agarwal, founder and CEO of edX.

WHAT SHOULD THE DIRECTION OF CHANGES IN POLISH BANKS BE?

Digital transformation means the need to change the organizational culture of banks and internal restructuring. The priority for the banking sector should be building advanced competencies of management staff in the area of ​​e-leadership. Meanwhile, according to research, management staff in the financial sector have the lowest confidence in their digital skills compared to all other sectors.

WHICH COMPETENCES ARE EMPLOYEES LACKING?

The banking sector is among those most at risk of a lack of employees with the right digital skills. As many as 62% of representatives of this sector declared that the lack of employees with the right skills has a negative impact on the company's development. Bank employees themselves were convinced that their current skills would cease to be needed and relevant within 2 years (30%) or 4-5 years (44%).

Competencies of a digital bank employee

Source: Capgemini (2015). World Retail Banking Report.

AUTHORS OF THE REPORT