Intelligent Fin.tech Issue 06 | Page 61

OFF THE BOOKS hour before I start work . It is something I started during COVID-19 when we were first allowed outdoors ; it energises me and sets me up for the day .

I also enjoy golf , which is ironic as the famous saying goes that ‘ golf is a good walk spoiled ’. But what I like about golf is that the game needs a high level of concentration to play it well . I find it helps to clear my head so it lends a good three to four hours of total escapism . It ’ s good exercise and helps you to recharge your mental batteries at the same time .
What ’ s your go-to productivity trick ?
I like writing a list of tasks every day and prioritising based on what is going on to allow you to hit your overall goals and targets . I always try to get the hardest or most unpleasant ones out of the way first .
What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment within the finance space ?
I think FS organisations will invest more in ensuring that they are compliant with regulations in the jurisdictions where they are providing their services . Cybercrime and financial crime are rising and consumers are aware of this . For example , a recent study , carried out by RWB commissioned by IDnow , showed that cybercrime and digital bank fraud are the issues that concern UK adults the most when it comes to opening an online bank account . It is the responsibility of the banks to not only consider how their actions are minimising and mitigating risk in this area but also how they disseminate information to the wider population .
However , banks must ensure their systems and processes are as secure as possible , and that the technologies they are deploying today will be fit for purpose tomorrow . Many digital challenger banks have made their processes slicker and more customerfriendly – and the word is spreading .
People want to be kept safe by the systems , but they also want them to be
easy to use . However , if we are to truly build trust in the digital world , there is still plenty of work to do . Businesses need to get better at identifying , onboarding and protecting their customers . Ensuring that every new customer is whom they say , while banks balance identity checks with a satisfying onboarding experience is key to building trust and revenue .
What advice would you offer decision-makers within this space looking to adopt new technologies ?
Many of the technologies today seemed futuristic not that long ago . But improvements across the sector have made so much more possible .
However , decision-makers should keep in mind that as technology develops , changes to regulation will follow . Many recent changes in the UK have focused on enhanced customer checking , corporate risk and ultimate beneficial owners and the rise in the use of cryptocurrency . Future changes are likely to address the increasing use of technology in areas like customer onboarding and automated verification . � www . intelligentfin . tech
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