Novarica Launches Banking Technology Research and Advisory Service

Novarica, a research and advisory services division of New York-based Novantas LLC focused on markets, operations, and technology for insurers and financial institutions, today announced the addition of new senior team members and the launch of its banking technology research practice.

"Our banking technology research leverages our unique methodologies and vendor evaluation practices that we've used to serve insurer CIOs over the past few years, along with Novantas' deep heritage in the banking industry, and our new team members' distinctive experience," said Matthew Josefowicz, Director of Novarica, in a press release.

Madi Mantha is joining Novarica as a principal and head of banking research. She joins the firm from Accenture, where she focused on distribution channel strategies and marketing, sales, and service transformation for retail banks. Prior to Accenture, Mantha was a senior analyst at Celent, where she focused on IT strategies to support retail banking multi-channel and self-service capabilities. Her prior experience includes banking e-business systems vendor Emergis and various strategic and technology positions at other firms.

Meredith Outwater is joining the firm as a senior analyst in the banking practice. Outwater has focused on banking e-business and IT strategy research for more than 10 years as a senior analyst and director of business development at Celent and as an analyst at Meridien Research (now part of IDC).

Novarica also announced the formation of its Banking Technology Advisory Board, which is made up of independent individuals with deep industry experience. Current members of this board include Thomas F. Robards, former CFO of Republic New York Corp. (acquired by HSBC) and Datek Online Holdings (acquired by Ameritrade); Bill Scales, former SVP at Bank of America and divisional CIO at PNC Bank; Bruce Simons, former CIO of USAlliance Federal Credit Union; Gil Brodnitz, former VP of Financial Management Infrastructure at Capital One; Carl Hoburg, former EVP at Zions Bancorporation and former CTO of NetDeposit; and Dave Kaytes, Co-CEO of Novantas LLC.

Novarica's banking practice will be publishing Novarica Market Navigators, Novarica ACE Rankings, and Novarica Vendor Solution Reviews on vendor solutions of interest to banking CIOs, as well as best practices reports and analyses of trends and survey data. The firm is planning to publish its first reports later this year.

Katherine Burger is Editorial Director of Bank Systems & Technology and Insurance & Technology, members of UBM TechWeb's InformationWeek Financial Services. She assumed leadership of Bank Systems & Technology in 2003 and of Insurance & Technology in 1991. In addition to ... View Full Bio