The global banking landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, with digital lending and onboarding at the forefront of this change. While the U.S. market has seen rapid digitization—often catalyzed by government programs like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)—the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) and APAC (Asia-Pacific) regions present a unique set of challenges and opportunities. Publicis Sapient is helping banks across these diverse markets reimagine lending and onboarding, adapting proven solutions to local regulatory environments, customer expectations, and levels of digital maturity.
EMEA and APAC are characterized by a patchwork of regulatory frameworks, each with its own requirements for data privacy, KYC (Know Your Customer), AML (Anti-Money Laundering), and customer protection. Banks must balance the need for rapid digital onboarding with strict compliance, often across multiple jurisdictions. Publicis Sapient’s modular, cloud-based solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly with local compliance requirements, enabling banks to accelerate transformation without compromising on security or regulatory standards.
Customer expectations in EMEA and APAC are evolving rapidly. In many markets, especially in APAC, digital-native consumers expect instant, personalized experiences—whether applying for a loan, opening an account, or managing their finances. However, digital maturity varies widely: while some banks are launching neobanks and digital-first products in a matter of months, others are still modernizing legacy systems. Publicis Sapient’s approach is tailored to each client’s starting point, leveraging accelerators and proven frameworks to deliver results at speed.
Fintech disruptors and digital challengers are reshaping the lending landscape, particularly in APAC, where mobile-first solutions and alternative credit models are gaining traction. Traditional banks face mounting pressure to match the speed, convenience, and personalization offered by these new entrants. By partnering with leading technology providers and leveraging cloud-native platforms, Publicis Sapient empowers banks to compete—and win—in this dynamic environment.
Publicis Sapient’s Loan Accelerator, built on Microsoft Cloud for Financial Services, is transforming lending from a manual, fragmented process into a seamless, digital experience. By automating appointment scheduling, documentation, approvals, and team collaboration, banks in EMEA and APAC have achieved:
This solution is particularly impactful in markets where regulatory requirements are complex and customer expectations for speed are high. By integrating with existing systems and leveraging AI for decisioning, banks can reduce costs, eliminate errors, and deliver a superior borrower experience.
In both EMEA and APAC, personalization is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Publicis Sapient’s hyper-personalized lending solutions use advanced data analytics and AI to:
For example, by building a 360-degree view of each customer, banks can move beyond one-size-fits-all offers and create journeys that resonate with individual borrowers. This approach has delivered measurable results, such as a 29% increase in new card sign-ups and a fivefold increase in click-through rates for leading banks.
Speed is critical in today’s market. Publicis Sapient’s blueprint for building digital banks enables clients to launch new platforms, products, and services in as little as three months. This approach has been successfully deployed for banks in both EMEA and APAC, providing:
A major Thai bank partnered with Publicis Sapient to overhaul its business model and technology stack, connecting all account types and enabling customers to manage their finances in one place. In just 12 weeks, the bank launched a new customer-first platform, built on a modern core banking system, and established a roadmap for future innovation. This rapid transformation allowed the bank to adapt to changing market conditions and deliver new products at speed.
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of many APAC economies, yet they often face barriers to accessing credit. Publicis Sapient helps banks reimagine SME lending by:
By reducing onboarding times from weeks to hours and offering value-added services beyond loans, banks can build long-term, trusted relationships with SME clients.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital transformation, but the need for resilient, customer-centric lending platforms extends far beyond crisis response. Publicis Sapient’s solutions are designed for long-term impact, enabling banks to:
With deep expertise across EMEA and APAC, Publicis Sapient combines global best practices with local insight. Our partnerships with leading technology providers, cloud platforms, and fintech innovators ensure that our clients are always at the cutting edge of digital lending transformation. Whether you’re looking to accelerate loan processing, improve onboarding, or deliver hyper-personalized experiences, we have the tools, talent, and track record to help you succeed.
Ready to transform your lending business for the digital age? Connect with our regional experts to start your journey.