International Bytes

Krung Thai Bank (KTB), Thailand's largest retail bank, has selected the Sanchez Profile real-time banking solution from Sanchez Computer Associates, Malvern, Pa., to replace the its legacy operational systems.

KTB, with more than 11 million accounts and 645 branches, has also selected TN Information Systems Ltd. (TNIS) of Thailand, a Sanchez solution partner, as the prime contractor and systems integrator for the project. TNIS will provide program management, system infrastructure design, and change management and business process reengineering consulting. Sanchez will provide the core banking, branch automation and accounting software and augment TNIS consulting with implementation and customization services, and training.

"KTB's requirement for a state-of-the-art core banking system was central to its strategy of becoming a world-class bank and to show leadership in the Thai banking industry," said Vigrom Chaisinthop, TNIS managing director. "Sanchez proved to be the most qualified, responsive, and committed to the customer's goals. In addition to the company's software, the Sanchez team has a keen understanding of the critical success factors in legacy system replacement projects, including program management, training, and communication. We look forward to working together on this and future projects as the Thai banking industry pursues its aggressive modernization plans."

"This project, to date one of our largest license and services contracts for legacy system replacement, is a significant win for Sanchez," said Frank Sanchez, chief executive officer of Sanchez Computer Associates. "KTB is a major retail bank and we are proud to support the bank in fulfilling its leadership role in Thailand. KTB will gain demonstrable benefits by moving directly to a fully real-time, customer-centric solution. In addition to gaining an integrated bank processing platform designed to significantly lower operations and technology costs, KTB will have an information technology infrastructure that can scale with the bank's business objectives."

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Akbank, a leading Turkish financial institution, has gained one million new customers in the eight months since it introduced Axess, a credit/smart card that uses technology created by Welcome Real-time, Aix-en-Provence, France.

Thanks to Axess, Akbank's credit card portfolio has increased by 45 percent and the bank's share of the Turkish credit card market by 53 percent. Merchants have quickly adopted Axess, making it the preferred credit card at 6,500 merchant locations. In recognition of its success with Axess, MasterCard has presented Akbank with an achievement award.

"The most important factor behind Axess Card's success was Akbank's customer centered product design," said Zafer Kurtul, general manager of Akbank. "We are able to offer customers the opportunity to earn as they spend thanks to the advanced technology we use. With Axess, the consumer is offered advantages like the chance of winning surprise gifts, the concept of 'chip money,' which can be spent as soon as it is earned, and special promotions, all of which make Axess a far more advanced product than its rivals."

"Banks worldwide are adopting smart cards to reduce fraud and to offer new services designed to increase revenues," said Aneace Haddad, chairman and CEO, Welcome Real-time. "Akbank's success demonstrates that an EMV card can help customers enjoy greater convenience and esteem by being instantly recognized as valuable and unique customers. Akbank is leveraging their investment in smart card technology to create a powerful tool capable of boosting their revenues and market share."

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EFG Eurobank Ergasias, the second largest bank in Greece, has installed PAYplus, an electronic payments and cash management solution from Fundtech, Jersey City, N.J.

The solution will enable Eurobank to consolidate payment systems, enhance payment automation, and increase payment volumes while reducing costs. The solution will serve as Eurobank's central payment processing utility for both domestic and international payments.

PAYplus connects Eurobank's back office systems, various payment initiating departments, and over 400 of its branches to Greece's national payment systems, DIAS and Hermes, as well as to the SWIFT, EBA, ERP and TARGET international payment mechanisms.

"As we are the leading providers of payment services in Greece, our payment system is central to maintaining our growth and market position," said Lia Petralia, senior manager, Payment Services, EFG Eurobank Ergasias. "We are excited to have launched Fundtech's PAYplus solution and are confident that it is the best solution to meet our business needs."

EFG Eurobank Ergasisas S.A. employs Fundtech's PAYplus payment solution to initiate outgoing payments from its branches. Each branch of the bank will benefit from an enhanced user interface that allows them to customize their workflow and initiate payments via the Web.