Regional Cloud Modernization: EMEA & APAC Financial Services Transformation
In today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, institutions across Europe, the Middle East, Africa (EMEA), and Asia-Pacific (APAC) are navigating a complex convergence of digital disruption, regulatory demands, and shifting customer expectations. For financial services organizations, the imperative is clear: transformation must be bold, regionally attuned, and rooted in both global best practices and local realities. Publicis Sapient stands at the forefront of this journey, delivering cloud modernization and infrastructure solutions that are not only globally robust but also locally relevant—empowering banks, insurers, and capital markets firms to innovate, comply, and grow at speed.
Navigating Regional Complexity: Compliance, Culture, and Operations
Financial institutions in EMEA and APAC face a unique set of challenges. Regulatory environments are diverse and ever-changing: from the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and data sovereignty mandates in Europe, to emerging data localization laws in Asia and the Middle East. Meanwhile, consumer behaviors and expectations vary widely—APAC markets often demand hyper-personalized, mobile-first experiences, while EMEA customers place a premium on privacy and trust.
Publicis Sapient’s approach is rooted in deep local expertise, supported by a global network of technology leaders, fintech innovators, and cloud providers. Our Cloud Acceleration Platform (CAP), developed in partnership with Google Cloud, is engineered specifically to address these realities. CAP accelerates cloud adoption for financial services organizations by providing:
- Pre-built, FSI-ready landing zones that are secure, automated, and aligned to both global and regional compliance standards, including CIS, CSA CCM, and Google Cloud best practices.
- Customizable migration and modernization journeys tailored to the specific needs of each market, workload, and regulatory context.
- A ready-made toolkit with assets, code, and technical diagrams to accelerate safe, compliant cloud adoption.
- Compliance at every stage, with more than 68 controls embedded to support regulatory requirements from build to migration and ongoing operations.
The Power of Local Partnerships and Global Technology
No single technology or platform can address the full spectrum of needs in today’s financial services sector. Publicis Sapient’s curated ecosystem brings together best-in-class partners to create exponential value for our clients:
- Cloud Providers: Our alliances with Google Cloud, AWS, and Microsoft Azure enable secure, scalable, and compliant digital platforms tailored to local regulatory requirements. For example, leveraging Microsoft Azure, we helped launch the world’s first fully digital trade finance bank in EMEA, moving from concept to live in a matter of months.
- Fintech Innovators: Partnerships with Mambu, Thought Machine, and Form3 empower banks to modernize core systems, launch new products rapidly, and streamline payments infrastructure—critical for institutions looking to break free from legacy constraints and deliver next-generation banking experiences.
- Customer Experience Leaders: Adobe and Salesforce are at the heart of our ability to deliver hyper-personalized, omnichannel experiences. In Europe, our work with a global retailer and Adobe unified shopper data, improved conversion rates, and ensured compliance with stringent privacy regulations.
- Data & AI Specialists: Collaborations with Snowflake and Databricks ensure our clients can unlock actionable insights, drive real-time decision-making, and maintain data sovereignty and security—key priorities in both EMEA and APAC.
Regional Success Stories: Transformation in Action
- EMEA: Launching the World’s First Fully Digital Trade Finance Bank
In partnership with Microsoft Azure, Publicis Sapient enabled the creation of a fully digital trade finance bank in EMEA. By leveraging cloud-native architecture and agile delivery, the bank achieved rapid product launches, streamlined operations, and a seamless digital experience for clients—all while maintaining full compliance with local regulations.
- APAC: Driving Retail and Banking Innovation
In Asia-Pacific, our collaboration with Google Cloud empowered a leading quick-service restaurant (QSR) to harness advanced marketing technology. By integrating data from multiple sources and applying machine learning, the QSR personalized offers and optimized campaigns for diverse local markets, resulting in increased sales and deeper customer engagement. Additionally, we have supported banks across Southeast Asia and Australasia in rethinking operating models and preparing for a digital-first future, including the rapid launch of new digital banking products and services.
- Europe: Omnichannel Commerce and Data Sovereignty
A global retailer in Europe partnered with Publicis Sapient and Adobe to unify shopper data and deliver personalized, omnichannel experiences. The scalable customer data platform not only improved conversion rates but also ensured compliance with European data privacy laws, demonstrating the value of local expertise and global technology.
Measurable Business Outcomes
Publicis Sapient’s regionally tailored solutions deliver tangible business value:
- Accelerated time to market: Modernizing legacy systems and adopting cloud-native solutions enables faster product launches and greater agility.
- Enhanced customer and employee experiences: Integrated data and AI drive seamless, personalized journeys across channels.
- Operational efficiency: Automation and advanced analytics reduce costs and improve decision-making.
- Business model innovation: Cloud and AI unlock new revenue streams, from digital marketplaces to data monetization and ecosystem partnerships.
Why Publicis Sapient?
With more than 30 years of digital transformation experience, over 100 financial services clients in EMEA & APAC, and 40+ partnerships with leading tech companies and fintechs, Publicis Sapient brings unmatched expertise and a collaborative, agile approach. Our commitment to partnership-driven transformation means we’re always at the forefront of what’s next—helping clients in EMEA and APAC not just adapt, but lead in the digital era.
Ready to Accelerate Your Digital Journey?
Connect with our regional experts to discover how Publicis Sapient’s partner ecosystem—anchored by global leaders and enhanced by local alliances—can help you achieve your transformation goals, locally and globally. Let’s reimagine what’s possible, together.