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Banking in the United Arab Emirates stands at an inflection point between the traditional branch-based model and a digital AI-enabled future – new Capco survey

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Nine in ten UAE survey respondents want apps that provide personalized insights into their finances
73% say they are comfortable having AI guide day-to-day financial decisions
DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A desire for more insights into personal finances, a willingness to share data to unlock individually tailored services, and a high level of comfort with AI-driven guidance are key themes to emerge from the new survey of UAE retail banking customers conducted by Capco, the global management and technology consultancy.

As the UAE pushes forward with ambitious plans to grow its digital economy, Capco’s Bank of the Future survey of over 1,200 UAE banking service users aged between 18 and 65 found that 89% have become more confident in using mobile and digital banking services over the last two years. Eight in ten (83%) now use mobile apps to access banking, offering a solid foundation for future banking innovation.
In addition, 87% of respondents say they would be attracted to an app that offered personalized insights into their finances, including 41% who say this would be ‘extremely attractive’. The survey also reveals that 72% would ‘definitely’ or ‘probably’ share additional personal data – such as social media profiles or wearables data – to unlock personalized products, services or offers.
In support of its main survey, Capco conducted more focused polling of 500 consumers that looked specifically at the adoption of digital-first banking services. This found that nine in ten UAE respondents (89%) now have digital-first accounts, including both international and UAE-based firms. Three-quarters (76%) have an account with a UAE-based digital-first provider.
Capco’s survey findings highlight opportunities for UAE banks and fintechs to capitalize on positive attitudes to data sharing and innovation to deliver the products and services that consumers say they want. It also offers recommended paths forward for banks as they explore how best to apply the latest approaches to data analytics and AI to address customers’ aspirations.
James Arnett, Managing Partner, APAC & Middle East at Capco, said: “Consumers in the UAE are looking for products and services that provide a more bespoke user experience, including personalized financial insights. Seizing this opportunity will require an ever more nuanced understanding of individual consumer’s aspirations, and banks and other providers will need to prepare by investing in improved data management and advanced analytics.”
Naim Alame, Managing Partner, Middle East at Capco, said: “Consumers want convenient, integrated financial services and seamless digital journeys enabled by improved connectivity, data analytics and AI. Delivering the products and experiences that consumers want will require more agile banking models and significantly greater collaboration with third parties in order to embed value-added financial services ever more deeply into customers’ lives.
“For the bank of the future, collaboration may prove to be as important a priority as disruption. Offering a mobile-first experience that embeds payment aggregations, finance options and other ecosystem services to provide a more seamless and holistic experience will be the key to keeping customers engaged.”
Other key findings in Capco’s UAE survey report include:
86% of respondents would be attracted by a banking app that integrates financial services with the non-financial services they use in their daily lives, such as ride hailing and e-commerce.
37% would find such an app ‘extremely attractive’.The characteristics that would convince a respondent to use a specific bank or financial institution include ‘a wide range of services’ (51%) and ‘more accessible services’ (45%).*
‘Trust in the company’ (39%) and ‘highly personalized products’ (34%) are also seen as important. Four in ten of respondents (41%) cite cashback options as a value-added feature they consider when selecting a new card or account.*
Other important features respondents would consider include discounts on travel (33%), monthly offers such as retail discounts (32%) and the ability to use points to make purchases (32%).As digitalization accelerates, 72% of those using payment services identify online payments as a preferred payment method and 69% mention digital wallets.*
Cash remains a preferred payment method for 51% of respondents, and cheques continue to be preferred by 28%.In Capco’s recent Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) banking survey, online payments (65%) and cards (65%) were the leading preferred methods of payment, while 57% of respondents cited digital wallets, 55% mentioned cash, but only 11% chose cheques.The UAE played host to the COP28 global climate conference in late 2023, and almost nine in ten respondents (88%) say it is important that their primary bank has a proactive stance on ESG issues.
In our KSA banking survey, 80% of respondents stated that this is important.*Multiple responses permitted
Capco’s UAE survey report can be accessed here.
 
About Capco
Capco, a Wipro company, is a global management and technology consultancy specializing in driving digital transformation in the financial services industry. Capco operates at the intersection of business and technology by combining innovative thinking with unrivalled industry knowledge to fast-track digital initiatives for banking and payments, capital markets, wealth and asset management, insurance, and the energy sector. Capco’s cutting-edge ingenuity is brought to life through its award-winning Be Yourself At Work culture and diverse talent. To learn more, visit www.capco.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

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NordVPN: Website categories employers don’t want you to visit

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Cybersecurity experts say that blocking certain websites lowers the risk of cyberattacks and removes distractions
LONDON, Sept. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — According to data collected by a network security NordLayer, developed by the leading cybersecurity company NordVPN, a significant portion of employers (72%) block malicious and adult websites. Malicious websites can pose severe security threats by spreading malware, while adult websites are often restricted due to concerns over inappropriate content and productivity loss. Gambling sites are blocked by 43% of employers, likely due to concerns over addiction and productivity loss.

“In today’s threat landscape, where cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, DNS filtering plays a pivotal role in safeguarding sensitive data, maintaining regulatory compliance, and preserving the integrity of organizational networks,” says Ugne Mikalajunaite, Country Manager Taiwan at NordVPN.
Employers seek to maintain a professional work environment
Besides just blocking adult websites, many managers take a step further to maintain a professional work environment. For example, 30% block dating sites, 28% do not allow access to sex education websites, and about 12% of employers even block lingerie sites.
Information or sales related to drugs websites are blocked by 37% of IT managers. Interestingly, 21% of employers block VPN websites, likely to prevent employees from circumventing network restrictions and accessing blocked content, which could pose security risks or productivity concerns.
Employer restriction priorities in different regions 
In Europe, businesses exhibit the greatest inclination to block adult content websites, with 67% of employers imposing such restrictions.
North America prioritizes mitigating security risks by having the highest percentage (70%) of employers blocking access to malware websites. Asia stands out with a distinct emphasis on curbing access to illegal or unethical content, as evidenced by 73% of employers restricting websites within this category.
Intriguingly, Asian businesses demonstrate a stricter approach towards gambling and gaming websites compared to their European and North American counterparts. While 64% of Asian employers block gambling sites, the figures stand at 37% and 38% for Europe and North America, respectively. Similarly, 36% of Asian organizations restrict access to gaming websites, contrasting with considerably lower rates of 9% in Europe and 20% in North America.
Another noteworthy regional disparity lies in the treatment of dating websites. European and North American employers exhibit relatively comparable stances, with 25% and 28% blocking this category, respectively. However, Asian businesses adopt a more restrictive policy, with 45% of employers denying access to dating sites.

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Apt.Residential Selects Yardi’s Technology to Support BTR Projects

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Australian property developer and operator to utilise innovative cloud platform for construction and investment accounting
SYDNEY, Sept. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Apt.Residential, an owner, developer and operator of residential properties in Australia, has chosen Yardi’s single connected platform to support growth, connect teams and manage capex projects and build.

With Yardi®, Apt.Residential can manage its funds and simplify complex financial processes, mitigate risk and deliver real-time insights into projects. The platform provides more visibility from investor to asset and delivers enhanced and accurate reporting. The company can access live data for costing, expenses, and revenue on all projects, from ground-up development to single-unit improvements and will allow Apt.Residential to grow the volume of units within BTR once they have operational units.
“We wanted to find the best platform for BTR that would support growth, streamline management of capex projects and handle our complex accounting,” said Michael Hogg, co-founder & head of operations for Apt.Residential. “Yardi’s single integrated platform was the best solution as it ensures our team can connect on one system and not worry about integrations or using multiple platforms.”
“We’re excited to work with Apt.Residential and support its growth as the company expands its BTR projects,” said Neal Gemassmer, vice president and general manager for Yardi. “Our connected platform will help Apt.Residential enhance communication and set them up so they’re ready to operate once development has completed.”
See how Yardi’s end-to-end technology can help drive your digitalisation strategies.
About Apt.ResidentialApt.Residential is a leading vertically integrated owner, developer, and operator of residential properties in Australia backed by global institutional capital. The company develops residential communities where wellbeing and connectedness come first. Its human-centric approach allows Apt.Residential to shape places for people who crave comfort, community, and elevated living. For more information, please visit aptresidential.au.
About Yardi
Celebrating its 40-year anniversary in 2024, Yardi® develops industry-leading software for all types and sizes of real estate companies across the world. With over 9,500 employees, Yardi is working with our clients to drive significant innovation in the real estate industry. For more information on how Yardi is Energised for Tomorrow, visit yardi.com.au.
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EQT to sell Open Systems, a Swiss leader in network and cyber security solutions, to Swiss Post

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EQT Private Equity, together with its co-shareholders, to sell Open Systems to Swiss PostUnder EQT’s ownership, Open Systems transformed from a founder-led managed security services provider to a leading integrated network and cyber security companySince EQT’s acquisition in 2017, Open Systems has almost doubled its revenues and more than tripled its EBITDA, while significantly expanding its product offering to support customers on their network transformation and cybersecurity journeySTOCKHOLM, Sept. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — EQT is pleased to announce that the EQT Mid Market Europe fund (“EQT”), together with its co-shareholders, have agreed to sell Open Systems (“Company”) to Swiss Post.

Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, Open Systems delivers network and cyber security capabilities in a single cloud-based platform known as Secure Access Service Edge (SASE). Open Systems’ innovative SASE Experience eliminates the complexity of secure global connectivity and network management, while providing seamless global 24×7 support. The Company plays a pivotal role in supporting customers globally in their network and cyber security transformation by offering a fully integrated, single-pane-of-glass cloud and software platform and supporting services.
EQT acquired a majority stake in Open Systems in 2017. During EQT’s ownership, the Company almost doubled its sales and more than tripled its EBITDA, while making substantial investments into its technology platform and transforming from a network-focused managed security services provider to a leading SASE player with extensive cyber security capabilities. Open Systems also built a Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR) division, which was carved out in 2023 and now operates as a standalone company under the brand Ontinue, which will be retained by EQT. Organic growth was complemented by three strategic add-on acquisitions, including Sqooba, a Swiss provider of data science, AI, cloud, and cyber services founded by the current Open Systems CEO Daniel Neuhaus.
As part of Swiss Post, Open Systems will continue its growth journey under the leadership of Daniel Neuhaus. With the acquisition, Swiss Post strengthens its role as provider of digital communication services by increasing its competences and know-how to support digitally connected businesses in Switzerland.
Daniel Neuhaus, CEO of Open Systems: “I would like to thank EQT for their support over the years and their hands-on involvement in our development. Swiss Post’s investment is a validation of our long-term strategy to become a leading SASE software provider with the best customer experience. With Swiss Post, we have found a sustainable partner in Switzerland who shares our values and will support us in continuously delivering best-in-class technology and services to our customers while continuing to drive innovation.”
Philipp Woerner, Director within EQT Private Equity’s Advisory Team: “We have been continuously impressed by Open Systems’ track record of technological innovation in the network and cyber security space. Thanks to the dedication and commitment of the management team led by Daniel, Open Systems delivers attractive technology and services from Switzerland to its customers globally. We could not have imagined a better future home for Open Systems than Swiss Post to support continuing the strong development.”
Nicole Burth, CEO of Swiss Post Communication Services, said: “Open Systems strongly complements our existing offerings in the area of cybersecurity. The Company is an excellent cultural fit and supports our strategy to bring cybersecurity to our Swiss customers. This makes the network and communication of businesses more efficient and secures it with the unique cloud security solutions Open Systems provides.”
The completion of this transaction is pending customary regulatory approvals and is anticipated to take place in Q4 2024.
ContactEQT Press Office, [email protected]
This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com
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