Industry Spotlight: Digital Engineering Strategy for Financial Services
Navigating the Complexities of Financial Services Transformation
Financial services organizations—spanning banking, insurance, and asset management—face a unique set of challenges on the path to digital transformation. Regulatory compliance, data security, legacy system constraints, and the relentless pace of innovation all demand a tailored approach to technology and engineering strategy. At Publicis Sapient, we understand these sector-specific needs and have developed a comprehensive digital engineering strategy that empowers financial institutions to modernize, innovate, and thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.
The Publicis Sapient Approach: Engineering for Resilience, Security, and Growth
Our digital engineering strategy is built on decades of experience guiding financial institutions through complex transformation journeys. We combine deep industry knowledge with leading-edge technology expertise to deliver solutions that are secure, compliant, and future-ready. Our approach encompasses:
- Progressive Modernization: We help financial organizations move from legacy systems to modern, scalable architectures. This includes designing target operating models, data infrastructure, and iterative roadmaps that ensure measurable business and technology readiness.
- Engineering Optimization: Through value stream mapping and maturity diagnostics, we identify inefficiencies and prioritize interventions that improve cost, performance, and reliability—critical for regulated environments.
- Cloud & Infrastructure Strategy: We enable secure, compliant cloud adoption, blending on-premises, private, and public cloud for hybrid solutions. Our cloud strategies reduce infrastructure costs, enhance agility, and unlock new opportunities for innovation.
- AI & Automation: Leveraging AI for fraud detection, predictive analytics, and process automation, we help financial institutions stay ahead of emerging threats and deliver superior customer experiences.
- Quality Engineering & Assurance: Our AI-driven testing frameworks and continuous validation services ensure that new products and platforms meet the highest standards for security, performance, and compliance.
- Culture & Capability Uplift: We foster a culture of collaboration, upskilling teams in agile and modern engineering practices to drive sustainable change.
Real-World Impact: Case Studies in Financial Services
Lloyds Banking Group: Accelerating Banking Modernization
Lloyds Banking Group set out to become a modern, tech-enabled, customer-led organization. Publicis Sapient partnered with Lloyds to shift the focus from traditional constraints to speed, quality, and value. Key initiatives included:
- Core banking modernization and cloud foundation
- Data platform creation for real-time insights
- Generative AI for continuous learning and fraud reduction
Business Impact:
- Reduced commercial account opening from 30 days to 48 hours
- Reduced payment fraud by 95% through advanced “Safelists”
- Delivered a new Transactions System of Engagement, combining data and insights for personalized experiences
- Built scalable, resilient capabilities that keep the bank agile and competitive
Major Global Asset Management Company: Standardizing for Speed and Quality
A leading asset management firm faced challenges with fragmented technology and slow website rollouts. Publicis Sapient introduced modern digital engineering practices, including Scrum and Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), and built reusable components and automated testing pipelines.
Business Impact:
- 89% reduction in time to build new sites
- 100% automation of sanity tests
- 30% reduction in AWS license costs
- 29+ sites delivered in just nine months
Multinational Insurance Company: Scaling Securely to New Markets
For a global insurer, we designed and implemented a cloud-based content management system that enabled rapid expansion into new markets while maintaining robust security and compliance.
Business Impact:
- 105% increase in session duration
- 35% faster page loads
- 48% decrease in bounce rate
Addressing Sector-Specific Challenges
Regulatory Compliance and Security
Financial services organizations operate under intense regulatory scrutiny. Our engineering strategies embed compliance and security from the outset, leveraging cloud-native security, zero trust frameworks, and automated governance to protect sensitive data and ensure audit readiness.
Legacy System Modernization
We specialize in progressive modernization, helping institutions transition from monolithic legacy platforms to modular, API-driven architectures. This enables faster product launches, easier integration with fintech partners, and improved operational resilience.
Cloud Adoption with Confidence
Our cloud and infrastructure experts guide financial organizations through every stage of the cloud journey—from assessment and strategy to migration and ongoing optimization. We ensure that cloud solutions are tailored to business goals, compliant with industry regulations, and equipped for future growth.
AI for Fraud Detection and Operational Efficiency
AI is transforming financial services, from real-time fraud detection to intelligent automation of back-office processes. Our AI solutions are designed to deliver actionable insights, reduce risk, and enhance customer trust—all while maintaining ethical and transparent practices.
What Sets Publicis Sapient Apart
- Proven Track Record: Decades of experience delivering measurable results for leading financial institutions
- Holistic, Data-Driven Approach: We align technology, business, and customer objectives, using data to drive every decision
- Reusable Assets and Accelerators: Proprietary tools and frameworks accelerate transformation and maximize ROI
- Top Talent and Agile Culture: Our teams are experts in modern technologies and agile methodologies, ensuring rapid, sustainable change
- End-to-End Partnership: From strategy to execution and ongoing management, we support clients at every stage of their transformation journey
Ready to Transform?
Financial services organizations that embrace a modern digital engineering strategy are better positioned to navigate regulatory complexity, defend against cyber threats, and deliver the innovative experiences customers expect. Partner with Publicis Sapient to future-proof your business, unlock new value, and lead in the digital age.
For more information, connect with our experts or explore our digital engineering solutions.