Wealth and asset managers in Europe are closer to embracing new technologies than their sell-side counterparts because CEOs in the industry understand the importance of technology within the business, according to over 200 Information Technology (IT) executives working in the financial services sector.
Survey results released by Excelian, Luxoft Financial Services – the financial services IT consultancy division of Luxoft, a global IT service provider – reveal that 87 per cent of IT executives working for Wealth & Asset Management firms believe their CEOs understand the importance of technology within the business. In contrast, 75 per cent of IT executives working in banking and capital markets are frustrated by a lack of understanding of technology in the boardroom.
On both the buy-side and sell-side, most firms still understandably spend most of their technology budgets on implementing regulatory compliance and cyber-security systems. Despite this, Wealth & Asset Management firms appear to be taking a longer term view about how technology could impact their business. Sixty-five per cent of respondents working on the buy-side believe technology is fundamental to the survival of their business, whereas only 56 per cent of respondents working in banks agree.
The top priority for technologists working on the buy-side is moving the business onto the cloud – 81 per cent agree this is a strategic priority, whilst 76 per cent also believe improving automation is a high priority.
Whilst both IT departments on the sell-side and buy-side are concerned about a lack of investment in technology, the frustrations are more acute in banks – 86 per cent of respondents working for banks complain about a lack of investment in IT, compared to 77 per cent of those working on the buy-side. Some buy-side firms are therefore still looking to find a competitive edge, made more crucial given mounting regulatory pressures, the fee squeeze and the stubbornly low interest rates in Europe.
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