Modernising core banking: a strategic imperative for future-proofing today’s banks

As the financial industry undergoes rapid transformation, modernising core banking systems is no longer optional - it’s a necessity. With many banks still operating on legacy systems, some of which were implemented 30 to 40 years ago, these aging platforms, often heavily customised, struggle to keep pace with the demands of digital banking, real-time transactions, and seamless integration with fintech partners.

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Thought Leadership

Deciphering the ESMA opinion on MiCAR convergence: broker-dealer models & best execution requirements

Thought Leadership

Several months following its publication, this paper examines ESMA’s 31 July opinion issued to National Competent Authorities (NCAs) and considers the impacts it is having on those seeking to operate within the parameters of Europe’s Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCAR). We assess how ESMA's guidance is reshaping the landscape for broker-dealer models, and how best execution requirements will require firms to make operational changes in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment.

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Thought Leadership

Securing the financial future

Thought Leadership

In today's rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, the banking sector faces an unprecedented increase in the risk of money laundering and financial crime. As the first line of defence against these threats, banks must confront the harsh reality that their existing KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) processes are being tested like never before. The heightened risk environment necessitates an urgent call to action. Now is the time to invest in innovative technology and develop a fit-for-purpose operating model. To reinforce defences to ensure they stay ahead of emerging threats as well as be a pioneer for further essential business growth.

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The future CFO

Thought Leadership

Realising the future CFO office to drive continuous improvement is a key vector for unlocking outsized value creation and increasing market competitiveness.

As the importance of technology in business operations deepens, the CFO and finance function should be attributed remits across controlling the tech. spend agenda, owning financial / operational data, and acting as a facility for insights – evolving into a more complex role within businesses as the strategic engine room.

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Instant payments require instant action

Thought Leadership

SEPA Instant was introduced as a key component of the Single Euro Payments Area initiative, addressing the need for a pan-European Euro instant payment solution. It represents a significant evolution in European Banking, aimed at enabling real-time, cross-border Euro transactions. This system significantly enhances the efficiency of transactions, offering a faster, more streamlined payment process across Europe with enhanced data capabilities – crucial in the modern financial ecosystem.

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Responding to CRD VI for third country banks

Thought Leadership

CRD VI is anticipated to come into effect Jan 2027, meaning third country banks can no longer provide in-scope cross-border banking services to EU clients. The current near-final text; i) increases regulatory scrutiny across capital requirements, facilitating further oversight from national competent authorities (NCAs) of third country banks, and ii) introduces a mandatory subsidiarisation criteria of third country branches (TCBs).

For third country banks, building a a robust response to CRD VI requires evaluation and design across entity structures, technology platforms and, operating model – with key consideration of broader regulatory / compliance impact resulting from changes in operating structure.

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Thought Leadership

Solvent Exit Planning for Non-Systemic Banks and Building Societies

Thought Leadership

The PRA published the supervisory statement SS 2/24 in March 2024 where it set out the new rules and expectations for non-systemic banks and building societies. The proposed Solvent Exit exercise expects the firms in scope to make preparations for ‘Solvent Exit’ as part of their BAU activities. The crux of the regulation is: orderly wind down after returning or transferring deposits and cancellation of the Part 4A PRA permission.

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A COO’s Conundrum

Thought Leadership

Financial Services firms face global economic pressures, including fluctuating interest rates, geopolitical tensions, and stringent regulatory requirements. Rapid technological advancements like Blockchain and Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen Al) add to the complexity of the landscape. To thrive, firms must set ambitious strategic goals, building on a foundation of operational excellence to innovate and remain competitive. It has never been more difficult for those in charge of operations to know where to place their bets. With this whitepaper we aim to simplify all of that.

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Trading Activity Wind Down (TWD)

Thought Leadership

Valentia Partners evaluates the challenges associated with implementing the Trading Activity Wind Down (TWD) requirements outlined in the PRA’s Supervisory Statement SS1/22 of May 2022, with a focus on meeting the regulation deadline of March 2025. We also explore enhancements for any potential post-implementation Book of Work (BoW); and suggest areas where regulatory forbearance from the PRA could be sought.

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Day 2: The Role of Technology in Continuous Improvement

Thought Leadership

The FCA’s new Consumer Duty regulation has had a profound impact on the financial services market since it’s go-live in July-23. Valentia Partners takes a look at some of the challenges firms have faced since Day 1, what is required to implement effective monitoring and reporting processes, and how firms can future-proof procedures to ensure they act in the interests of their consumers in the future.

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Review of Sustainability Regulations

Thought Leadership

Valentia Partners takes a closer look at recent sustainability requirements that may have implications for Financial Services businesses and their clients. On the 28th of November 2023, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published the Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR). This policy aims to address risks of ‘greenwashing’ and enhance transparency across sustainable investments.

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Crypto Pathfinding

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Entry Strategies for Traditional Firms.

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Emerging Applications of DLT in Financial Services

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Three tokenization solutions attracting investment.

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Thought Leadership

Preparing for Market in Crypto Assets (MiCA)

Thought Leadership

Approaching the Consultation Packages.

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Signposting Digital Asset Adoption

Thought Leadership

Six indicators that signal the direction of digital asset adoption.

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Harness ESG as a Catalyst for Greater Operating Model Sustainability

Thought Leadership

Environment, Social and Governance are a sometimes-uncomfortable juxtaposition of ideas. Collectively they speak to sustainability and catalyse change across the operating models of Financial Services business. Here we discuss how to engage, prioritise and deliver ESG-inspired change in Financial Services.

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Innovating The Customer Journey Around ESG

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Financial Services customers will each have their own ideas as to how ESG should be factored into the service they receive. Standard customer journeys cannot accommodate this. We address what needs to change.

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Thought Leadership

Harnessing the potential of ESG data

Thought Leadership

ESG is an industry changing opportunity to embrace sustainability and access new, long-term value pools. It’s also an enormous challenge for Data and Analytics capabilities.

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Thought Leadership

UK SDR – Marking Boundaries for “Sustainable” Finance

Thought Leadership

Upcoming UK ESG regulation may be the most important shift yet for authentically sustainable finance.

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ESG as a risk management framework for secured lending

Thought Leadership

The combined effects of climate change, socio-economic change, and the shift towards a more credit driven economy expose lenders to greater and more diverse risks than ever before. ‘ESG’ provides a framework that enables sustainability analysis.

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Thought Leadership

Markets in Crypto Assets

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Preparing for the landmark EU regulation.

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Thought Leadership

Financial Services Regulation Changes and Trends

Thought Leadership

Financial Services Regulation Changes and Trends – 2023 and Beyond

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Thought Leadership

4 strategic priorities to enable the workplace of the future

Thought Leadership

Valentia Partners on LinkedIn: Rethinking how we create and inhabit space in a digitally-connected world.

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Banking - 3 focus areas to respond to the fintech revolution

Thought Leadership

Valentia Partners on LinkedIn: As a firm much of our work is with large establishing Financial institutions, but we have also worked with, and been involved building, Fintechs and Neobanks.

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Banking priorities in 2021: Cost Cutting

Thought Leadership

Valentia Partners on LinkedIn: As Covid 19, Brexit and low interest rates continue to cast a shadow over economic prospects, one of the common themes across many of Valentia’s financial services clients in the last quarter of this year is how to cut costs in 2021 without cutting service.

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Thought Leadership

Capital markets and green financing

Thought Leadership

The global move towards more sustainable business and “greener” economies is undeniable. Governments and businesses are adapting their strategies to integrate sustainable principles into their policies and models. In the finance industry, concepts such as “green finance” have highlighted the importance of a sustainable financial system and its crucial role for the planet’s sustainable development.

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Thought Leadership

Crypto exchanges and regulation - a hinderance or an opportunity?

Thought Leadership

With regulation beginning to encompass cryptocurrency and crypto exchanges we look at the doors that are opening as well as closing within this marketplace.

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Thought Leadership

Digital and the next normal - 3 focus areas to lead the charge

Thought Leadership

Valentia Partners on LinkedIn: Every financial services institution I talk to is anticipating digital-first as the the new normal following the pandemic.

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Thought Leadership

Don’t Call Me ‘Crypto’

Thought Leadership

Immutability, transparency, and security in Bitcoin and Proof of Work consensus.

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Go to work to play, and other thoughts for a post-COVID mentality

Thought Leadership

Valentia Partners on LinkedIn: Here are some musings from the past year and a few thoughts to take into this one.

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Valentia Partners is investing in Scotland

To discover more or talk to us about anything you've read here please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Further Articles

Valentia Partners is investing in Scotland

To discover more or talk to us about anything you've read here please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Further Articles

Interview with Jean Gazançon, CEO of ARTE Generali

Profiling our investment in the Scottish powerhouse economy