Author: Techrules

Join us at the Intelligent Automation: Financial Services this 9th -10th July in London

Automate chat bots to support your customers investment decisions and inform them about risk

How chat bots can help you understand your customers and personalise offerings to them.

Join 60+ banking, insurance and financial services leaders as they discuss cutting edge automation topics, including; the shift from RPA to cognitive automation, nurturing unstructured data, the importance of bot IDs, real-time data opportunities, transforming the customer journey, back office machine learning capabilities and using intelligent automation to administer regulatory compliance. No other automation event caters to the financial sector better!

What is machine learning?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are two very “hot buzzwords” right now and often seem to be used interchangeably. But while AI and machine learning are very much related, they are not quite the same thing.

AI is a branch of computer science attempting to build machines capable of intelligent behaviour, while machine learning is “the science of getting computers to act without being explicitly programmed”.

Machine Learning requires large amounts of data to work, with the quality of the outcome and the result very much dependant on the data. As of right now when it comes to Big Data, there is still a lot of social implications, making the analysis of these different types of data (structured and unstructured) a complicated process.

At a glance, Machine Learning pretends to give learning capabilities to machines with the aim of achieving the “best outcome”, while this outcome should improve over time, it is ultimately dependant on its algorithm and predictive processing.

How does it works?

The learning process starts by identifying patterns and developing the power to associate ideas, concepts, data, processes or any other variable that adds value to the result. This complex data association process is impossible using the human mind, as the machine runs a series of unknown steps to give the best results.The learning process has three different options, depending on the type of algorithm used by the machine:

• Supervised Learning: is based on a series of problem-solution examples from which it can get a possible outcome in similar situations. A typical example of this type of learning is facial or image recognition that is commonly used as a security feature on mobile devices or signature validation in financial services.

 

• Unsupervised Learning: is based on unidentified examples so the machine can, on its own, recognise and tag patterns to input into the new system, this type of algorithm seeks to identify new objects, TechRules is already doing this using TOWER which is one of their core wealth management solutions.

 

• Reinforcement learning: is based on a trial and error model, with the learning process dependant on the situation and the feedback received from its actions. The learning patterns measure the success rate until it achieves the best possible outcome.

Applications

Machine learning has now days gone well beyond what was expected because of the different uses in all industries. A perfect example being search engines, as results are based on an algorithm that looks to “match” the inquiry or searches according to the usage. The results shown depend on the feedback received, the search frequency or the behaviour of the user. Information on the time spent on the website after a search is done will also result in positive feedback about the result), this way the machine can make changes and adjust the results according to these variables.

Machine learning has a promising future in the wealth management industry with various solutions now being developed by TechRules, who are already a key player in the fintech industry in both Spain and across the rest of Europe. Machine learning allows their different solutions to improve with implications for the financial planning process including the investor’s profile and their behavioural feedback, likes and dislikes or the follow-up needed to manage the investment portfolio. TechRules also believe that the investor´s habits are moving towards a more digital environment and as a result of this, several new offerings including chatbots are being developed to improve the customer’s experience.

Machine Learning has a “long road ahead”, with the results and outcomes expected from this type of technology to continue to grow and improve. The hope is for the overall client experience to enhanced with the added benefit of new opportunities being identified using this technology.

Bringing finances closer to you

The world of finance has a tendency to be perceived by those most profane as something inaccessible, incomprehensible and lacking the intuitive traits to make it both secure and enjoyable. On the other hand, one constant risk that never fails to come to mind when one invests, capable of driving away new and potential investors, is the inevitable fear of losing a portion of one’s savings.

For this reason, having access to an environment which enables secure and enjoyable investment – free of risk – is becoming a necessity for those who are seeking their first contact. These individuals crave a primal experience which will guarantee a learning process built on trial and error.

TechRules, a pioneer in FinTech in their field as well as in financial investment solutions supply, remains one step ahead of the rest by presenting BeursRally, a game which allows one to invest in markets using fictional money, but based entirely on real data supplied by Euronext.

What is Beurs Rally?

 

BeursRally, which was developed by TechRules, is the result of an adaptation of investment solutions to fit a model game as a form of education for its users, and including the possibility to make fictional transactions. The technology which makes this possible derives from TOWER, a powerful tool by TechRules for wealth management.

The simulation game has been available now for some weeks, allowing its first users to become familiar with the tool. The official launch took place on November 21st, the starting date on which all indicators were set to 0 in order to simultaneously begin the simulation. The only requirement to be able to play is to create a virtual account, free of charge. Nothing else.

The dynamics of this simulation are exactly the same as in real life investments. The rules are the same, the functions are as well, and the market value data is extracted in real time. Basically, it’s a simulation that adds one important key element: competitivity among its users.

Every game has an objective and BeursRally, being far from an exception, confirms this norm. The goal, in this case, is to achieve the best performance for a virtual portfolio after the 10-week time frame during which the simulation lasts with a starting capital of 50.000 €, although more capital can be gained through trivia. All players are added to a ranking, which adds a gaming component to the investment experience. Whoever ranks in first place, wins.

During the 10 weeks, every player must follow their virtual investment portfolio while selling, buying, changing their financial assets’ positions, etc. Moreover, the game offers a wide variety of financial products with access to the stock markets in Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, and stock values such as the Dow Jones, NASDAQ and an extensive list of investment funds. Every element is so coherently realistic that tension is experienced as if actual capital is invested, making the experience and learning process worthwhile as of the very first minute of the game.

Inspired on the most powerful tools

Even more so, the environment and the game’s interface correspond to an adaptation of TechRules’ solutions, a complete portfolio management software which allows you to create and manage your virtual portfolio with professional data and tools. Additionaly, it allows for high quality quantitative data analysis, creating a customized list of values of interest among the existing thousands around the world, organizing alerts and notifications, and planning investments and optimizing the virtual portfolio to increase its efficiency, among other utilities.

Adapting a tool this powerful to make it available in a simulation that uses real data was taken as an initiative with the clear objective to bring the world of finance closer to different user profiles: from those most experienced, to those with the least expertise, including even students who want to take the first step in establishing contact with professional tools used to make real investments.

You can find more information at: beursrally.tijd.be

The upcoming of MiFID II

The new regulation within the European Union was designed to provide investors with improved protection and security while offering more transparency and their presence is clearly aiming to establish a before and after as of January. Its implementation will transform the financial sector in the UE like never before, and being aware of the changes that the MiFID II will bring will supply professionals with an irrefutable advantage in the adaptation process regarding the new legislative framework.

This regulation, known as the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) is going to change the rules of the financial game when it comes into force this upcoming January 3rd, 2018.

Its focus is modifying market structures while introducing technological changes which guarantee for information to be more available and increasingly well managed. At the same time, according to the National Commission of Market Values, MiFID II’s arrival will ensure a financial system which is “secure, protected, responsible and transparent.” The new MiFID II will mainly cause an impact on those economic entities or professionals who act as intermediaries between clients and markets, while also influencing clients themselves, on a reduced scale.

Having that said, what are the essential schematics to understanding the new MiFID II regulation put into force January 3rd, 2018?

Every bit of information possible will be shared with the client

As of next January 3rd, all of the information transferred from financial entities to their clients will be required to be stated in a durable format, considering both paper or internet as such. The investor will be in charge of selecting according to his or her preferences.

Demanding diplomas for all professional advisors for financial products

In addition, MiFID II demands that all professionals belonging to financial entities and who assume assessment or management tasks regarding financial products, must be able to present proof of a specific level of training and education.

This knowledge, along with possessing the necessary capabilities, should be accredited and be proven to be able to offer financial assessment and management services respecting legal requirements as well as the ethical conduct framework.

In this same manner, MiFID II also seeks to improve the corporative government through other measures and proposals which intend to strengthen the requirements which need to be fulfilled to fit the management profile. In this case, what we’ll need is a strong asset management software which we can trust with our client’s assets. Companies such as Techrules with their management software, Tower, represent the ability to efficiently adapt to the new MiFID II regulation.

Detailed client pricing

With the main focus aimed towards protecting investors and providing the sector with increased transparency, the new regulation foresees that the entities’ clients have sufficient knowledge regarding management concepts and cost, before each takes place.

Even more so, the total commissions which the client is charged must be explicitly lain out so that the individual can know which portion is acquired by each person or entity involved in either management or a specific operation.

Written and durable contracts: up until 5 years after the contract is finalized

The relationship between an individual or entity offering their investment services and the investor must be expressed in writing in a contract which considers the rights and obligations of both parties. This contract will be omissible in assessment cases.

Before drawing up the contract, the investment entity must provide the investor with information regarding conflict of interest management and, when facing any change or alteration to the explicit circumstances in this information, the investor must be informed accordingly.

Moreover, the contracts must be preserved for a period of 5 years after the finalization of the services which they represent. In this same way, the registry of all of the operations that have taken place must be kept during the same amount of time. For that reason, it is necessary to count on an effective operative management solution, such as TechRules Tower software.

Classifying types of clients according to experience or knowledge

MiFID I already began by establishing the bases of client categorization, but MiFID II takes this objective one step further. When MiFID II is implemented, all of the entities will be obligated to classify all of their clients as retailers or professionals depending on parameters including investment volume, experience or knowledge regarding markets in which they intend to invest. At the same time, all of their products must have a clearly identified client profile, specifying what the level of risk each investment implies and detailing the required assessment to provide the client with all of the necessary information.

In this sense, Techrules’ Tower software offers useful product marking, identifying each of those individual products which surpass a specific risk profile by which investors are characterized. In addition, they also define the segment or target public for each product in anticipation of the new European legislative framework demands.

Greater protection for investors

The new legislation ensures that national and European authorities, such as the European Securities and Markets Authorities, have access to all of the required information regarding operations carried out by different entities. At the same time, in order to establish a clear objective to enable these entities to inform the authorities, a new communication system has been developed.

All of this will allow the sum of operations which take place to be supervised by all of the competent authorities, both national and European, guaranteeing increased protection for the investor or shareholder and assuring a greater ability to detect specific problems or gaps deriving from the new regulation.

Financial agents: collecting for client assessment

Up until now, the assessment service was considered something free of charge from the client’s perspective, despite being collected later on in the form of commissions. Aside from showing poor transparency, this can generate conflicts of interest on such scales that clients ended up receiving recommendations for products that were not beneficial for them, but rather for those which implied reporting the largest commissions for managers and advisors.

With this changing environment, we need to be able to trust that financial agents are prepared to face this legislative change which will directly affect our client portfolio as well as our company. It is at this point where one may be reminded of TechRules’ expertise and experience in applying the new MiFID II regulation. The software, known as Tower, is a powerful tool for capital management with functions that guarantee a perfect adaption to the latest demands brought on by European organizations.

Tower allows advisors and managers to have access to specific, precise and detailed information regarding their clients, as well as to reporting systems, risk and portfolio analysis, recurring assessment and financial planning evaluations, among many other traits and functions, along with offering all of the legal information relevant to the recommended products (product sheet, biannual report, memory, etc.)

MiFID II’s arrival is imminent. The ability to adapt efficiently and adequately to the legal demands and the new structural peculiarities it implies will depend on access to clear, flexible and innovative information on the subject. Knowledge and preparation become fundamental so that management and assessment professionals alike can captivate and maintain their clients. TechRules has designed an efficient and innovative solution to stay in compliance with MiFID II from perspectives including both professionals and clients, as well as clearly offering added value.

Is your organization prepared for the changes that MiFID II will bring?

Robo-advisors are amongst the first to experience changes due to Artificial Intelligence (AI). Over the years, there have been many changes affecting the Financial firms. These include changes to how they do business and in their relationships with clients. In the future, these changes will continue due to automation.

The “big winners” will be clients, the “losers” will be financial firms/ advisors who do not embrace the changes. The learning capability of machines is increasing exponentially with the combination of big data, natural language and machine learning.

Big data improves the customer’s experience as it “learns about the individual” and their surroundings. This information is then analysed allowing a computer programme to understand/ respond to human speech and to read documents. Machine learning uses algorithms that adapt to changing circumstances and which can run automatically. According to Pricewaterhouse Coopers, 26% of asset and wealth management firms globally use AI to inform their next ‘big decisions’. More and more money is now being invested in this area as a way of targeting the mass affluent. For instance, natural language processes will help firms to comply with the regulations, as machines will adapt to the changes required by the platforms.

Clients will also benefit from a much-improved user experience with new interfaces, leaving the advisor able to focus on asset gathering and portfolio monitoring. They will also become more responsive to client needs and increase the added value of their services. At TechRules, our Research and Development team is now working on two initiatives in “Machine Learning” and “Big Data”.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is very much seen as a key element of the financial sector. Initially, we will focus on a Chatbot, this will respond to different questions with information on the process, definitions, tutorials, specific data, claims and complaints requests, suggestions and FAQ. We are also developing an approach to investment strategy through Predictive Models developing algorithms using “Machine Learning” for Data analysis. Machine Learning allows computers and human beings to work together and to improve productivity

Create and implement your own Robo-Advisor platform according to your needs, using simple and smart technology

Sabine BROUN, TechRules Benelux Manager

Today, financial technology (Fintech) is one of the fastest growing sectors in the industry and has revolutionised the world of finance. In the past, investing was “left” to the experts, this was due in part to the lack of visibility around charges, technical jargon and restricted access to financial information.

The millennial generation, those born in the last 20 years have adopted technology as their main means of communicating with the world and do not trust the traditional financial institutions. They are constantly searching for financial information using their mobile phone or tablet. These changes are the reasons that the Department of Research at the Instituto de Estudios Bursátiles (IEB) [Institute of Financial Studies] has produced a paper entitled the “Study of the Digital Bank in Spain”.

The digital transformation of financial advice will have a significant impact on the delivery of banking and financial services products and services, and redefine the customer experience. Two points of view should be considered.

The first aspect concerns habits. The spread of the Internet and mobile phones that support connections to the network have brought about a revolution in who is able to access information, what information can be accessed, and when. Many barriers have come down since this does not involve special applications; instead, a single URL will take us to the area of current interest.

Moreover, financial information has far more open-access sources, which has made it possible to expand and disseminate knowledge about finance, together with specific pathways that are much more readily accessible, and include propositions that are tailor-made to the investor’s requirements. In short, it’s no longer necessary to study 4 or 5 years in order to be an investor. What does this imply? That there are more potential clients thanks to the interest aroused in finance. In the current environment of low interest rates, and with a crisis that damaged the image of the traditional bank, clients are seeking advice from alternative sources rather then just their bank, wanting a level of personalisation and efficiency.

There is also more transparency within the industry with important financial information being made available, sophisticated financial tools readily accessible and the media always discussing issues that may affect people’s investments.

Today’s investor does not passively accept the investment strategy recommended by a financial advisor. Quite the opposite, they analyse the markets and form their own conclusions using the resources available, these resources include web applications and financial platforms. With all of this economic information accessible to the customer, the financial advisor’s job has become a lot harder, with them having to justify their recommendations, keep up to date with the markets and constantly having to improve their knowledge and service to justify their fees.

This is why the skill has become more open. The financial sector has to fight for clients who are increasingly inclined to be more self-directed, more independent. The availability of technological tools has fostered this engagement, while improving the sector’s efficiency and reducing its costs. Today more people are potential clients, because the investor is also interested in small portfolios. Smaller entry portfolios have meant that more people can invest using technology. Technology and the new habits it has engendered is not an obstacle, but rather an opportunity to expand and diversify the market through numerous options. Some clients are more autonomous than others, have more initiative than others. Technology enables the finance sector to adapt to people’s particular characteristics and habits, and to adjust better the price of the service provided.

According to TechRules’ managing director, Jaime Bolívar, “Fintech is constantly evolving, and we are closely monitoring the types of products and services that people want. Firms that fail to adopt this trend will struggle to be successful unless they can justify their existence by providing a highly specialised service. The future lies in combining technology with the advisor’s expertise to provide tailor-made services to a public that’s segmented not only by its investment potential but also by its knowledge and proactivity”. Although the integration of financial tools within the banks and family offices make the provision of financial advice easier, and more efficient, those seeking better returns will still require a more tailored approach.

There is little doubt that Fintech’s digital transformation creates new business opportunities rather then destroying them. Many are the soothsayers who predict the demise of financial advisors and call for a rebellion against Fintech platforms or robo-advisor phenomenon that recalls the battles of Luddite British workers who destroyed textile-making machines in order not to lose their livelihoods. Precisely.

The introduction of such new machinery opened up the way to create many new jobs, spawning new business models. Here we have a similar situation. While some Fintech companies may want to compete directly with the established financial institutions, it is our view that the majority of these companies are more looking to partner with or sell their services to these financial institutions. It’s not a fight between victors and vanquished: it’s cohabitation.

There are benefits for both parties working together, for the Fintech they gain access to customers, distribution, data, capital, experience, licences, a trusted brand and the ability to scale much more quickly. For the financial institution, this means getting access to new ideas, solutions, capability, knowledge and potential investment opportunities.

The introduction of these new tools will create many new products, services, distribution methods and business models. Our view of the future involves a hybrid advisory solution involving the delivery of personalised advice in a digital era and democratising advisory services, traditionally reserved for large financial institutions. Investing in digital innovation is critical to meet the increasingly demanding customer needs, these will include the needs of self-directed investors as well as those wanting to use robo-advisors, attracted by standard low-cost portfolios.

There will be financial advisors specialising in Fintech tools, providing a distinctive service for smaller customers. There will also be larger financial institutions partnering with and sourcing capability from Fintech companies to enable them to enhance their customers’ experience, to streamline their operations and to allow their customers to fulfil their financial needs.

We must embrace the Fintech revolution and welcome the different models under development. Some will be better than others, and this depends on how well suited they are to meeting their customer’s individual requirements. Everyone will identify the model that works best for them and target a specific market segment with those adapting successfully doing very well.

At Techrules we develop your platform tailor-made to suit your business model. Get to know our solutions.

Sabine BROUN, TechRules Benelux Manager

The European financial markets are preparing to undergo a complete remodelling of their organisational system. In January 2018, MiFID II will officially become an active part in redefining the overall structure of the entire industry by applying new legislation intended to regulate and improve the financial and investment services.

MiFID II: Aim and Opportunity

The Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) applies to the European financial markets and aims to increase supervision, efficiency, market and information transparency and investor protection. The MiFID II regulation is a revised and more demanding version of the original framework, introduced in November 2007. MiFID II is designed to improve each of these aspects while creating a secure and systematic environment for all financial activity.

Despite the challenges, many view the recent changes as an opportunity to reassure investors and regain their trust. These changes will enable companies to provide their clients with high-quality products and to raise the standards of professionalism in the industry.

Anticipation, impact and preparation

El impacto de la nueva regulación tendrá implicaciones en diferentes áreas, buscando un mercado más seguro, más transparente y más equilibrado. Como consecuencia, el impacto se extenderá hacia los mercados financieros globales, afectando particularmente a aquellas organizaciones en contacto directo con los mercados europeos.

While the changes will affect different areas, they seek to create a safer, more transparent and evenly balanced marketplace. In turn, this will impact the global financial markets, in particular, those organisations in the European markets.

Due to these upcoming changes, firms in the financial markets are reviewing the service offered to their clients and adapting this to the new legislation.These changes are wide-ranging and will impact investment banks, asset managers, commodity firms, brokers, and dealers among others.

• Business Model Impacts

  
  Firms business models, especially investment services focusing on service compensation will now become chargeable with the receipt of third-party incentives being reduced or stopped altogether.

 

• Operational and Organisational Impacts

  
  The regulation requires firms to provide all of the information and to ensure that they have structured management who are in control of their systems and controls.

 

• Technological Impacts

  
  MiFID II requires financial firms to adapt their IT system. This legislation requires companies to integrate financial assessment solutions in their organisation. This will be achieved using more recent, more advanced technology.

Finding the right solution is often the biggest challenge. TechRules have many years of experience in implementing compliance solutions in the wealth industry. These solutions are “built” using Tower and use both web and mobile applications. In addition to Tower, TechRules provides API licensing.

Rencontre avec Sabine BROUN, Benelux Manager chez Techrules

Quels sont, selon vous, les nouveaux défis du monde de la finance ?

Le secteur financier est en train de vivre une trans- formation profonde. Celle-ci a, selon moi, deux origines : d’une part, la crise qui a remis en question la crédibilité et la réputation du secteur dans sa globalité et, d’autre part, la digitalisation et le virage technologique massif qui est en train de s’opérer. Au regard de ces deux origines, nous devons appréhender les défis suivants:

• Le public n’accorde plus sa confiance dans le secteur traditionnel car il estime qu’il a échoué pendant la crise. L’apparition de nouveaux acteurs qui font précisément de la transparence leur cheval de bataille, provient de cette demande des clients. Le secteur financier doit être transparent et présenter ses coûts d’une manière très claire, non seulement parce que les nouvelles réglementations l’exigent mais surtout parce que cela doit devenir le fondement de leur activité. Les clients en constituent l’actif principal.

 

• Comme indiqué précédemment, la nouvelle réglementation européenne MiFID II va obliger le secteur à procéder à des changements structurels importants qui engendreront des coûts élevés. La digitalisation des processus et l’application des nouvelles avancées technologiques liées à l’intelli- gence artificielle et au Big Data permettront de réduire ces coûts pour rendre l’industrie durable.

 

• Les clients sont plus exigeants. Ils demandent une attention personnalisée, par le biais de divers canaux, un accès par le biais de systèmes technologiques et moins coûteux. La transformation technologique et la reconversion des travailleurs du secteur dans le but d’être orientés encore davantage vers le client constitueront un autre défi fondamental que nous devrons relever dans les années à venir.

 

• Les professionnels ont besoin d’outils et d’une nouvelle vision de l’activité financière. C’en est fini du client captif auquel on répond toujours avec la même formule et auquel on donne toujours les mêmes excuses lorsque les choses ne se passent pas bien. A l’heure actuelle, le client est moins fidèle, il a accès à de multiples données et à bon nombre d’options en termes d’investissement. Les professionnels doivent être conscients de la valeur ajoutée de ce qu’ils peuvent apporter ou bien ils se retrouveront hors du marché.

 

• Les grands acteurs, les grands groupes, se concentreront de plus en plus pour faire face à une multitude de petites entités qui se spécialiseront dans des cadres spécifiques. On verra émerger un marché à deux faces: d’une part, de grands groupes internationaux proposant tous les types de services et, d’autre part, de petites entités de niche qui tente- ront d’être complémentaires pour créer des réseaux. Il n’y aura pas de guerre, ni d’effondrement de l’un ou l’autre, il faudra juste trouver la situation adaptée à un client qui sera de plus en plus difficile à seg- menter de manière globale.

 

• 6. Enfin, l’arrivée des millennials. Une grande par- tie d’entre eux doit encore arriver sur le marché en tant qu’investisseur, mais on peut déjà observer plu- sieurs tendances. La génération antérieure née dans la seconde moitié du 20ème siècle a d’autres priorités, liées à la continuité de ses investissements face à un horizon de retraite incertain. Toutefois, les millen- nials vont définir à bien des égards l’évolution du secteur financier car ils occuperont, à moyen terme, des positions de premier rang non seulement en tant que clients, mais aussi en tant que gestionnaires.

Quelle est, pour vous, l’influence des Fintech dans le secteur financier?

L’influence est déterminante, car elles ne sont plus considérées comme des expérimentateurs qui donnent le ton dans le secteur financier à court et moyen terme. Elles ont entraîné une avancée importante vers la transparence, comme celle des coûts, l’utilisation de la technologie, la réduction des effectifs et des stratégies d’efficience. En outre, l’explosion de tous les processus d’innovation de l’économie de marché a permis de nombreuses innovations dans bon nombre de domaines: les service de paiement, le change de devises, les investissements en actifs, les crédits…

Le secteur financier traditionnel s’est soudain retrouvé dans une situation où il n’a pas un concur- rent, mais des centaines de concurrents sur de mul- tiples aspects. Ce phénomène oblige clairement le secteur à réagir.

Pensez-vous que le secteur bancaire utilise suffisamment le potentiel de la technologie?

Le secteur bancaire est encore dans une certaine mesure en état de choc après la crise. Le changement a été immense et le nombre d’entités bancaires s’est réduit. Je pense que le secteur est conscient d’une partie des implications de la technologie dans le secteur mais pas de la totalité. Les banques ont un défi important à relever: la taille des groupes qui ont survécu est encore très grande, ce qui rend les processus plus lents à adapter. Il est vrai que bon nombre de plateformes ont été renouvelées et que beaucoup de processus ont été centralisés. En outre, l’accès des clients par le biais de la technologie s’est renforcé. Toutefois, compte tenu de la taille des entités, de nombreuses possibilités de transformation technologique subsistent encore et une plus grande utilisation de la technologie permettra d’obtenir davantage d’efficacité.

Quelles sont les évolutions de votre groupe au cours des 12 derniers mois?

TechRules est une société espagnole mature qui dispose déjà d’un grand potentiel grâce à ses ressources humaines et aux solutions que nous avons développées jusqu’à présent. Nous nous mettons constamment à jour et innovons. Nous avons l’habitude de dire que nous avons toujours été une Fintech, car le concept est présent depuis le début dans la culture de notre entreprise. Ces derniers mois, nous nous sommes concentrés sur le modèle d’entreprise du roboadvisor, avec un modèle adaptable aux entités et un développement propre au Royaume-Uni au travers de Gear Investments. Par ailleurs, notre rayon d’action s’est élargi à l’Amérique et l’Océanie. Nous avons ainsi créé une filiale au Chili, où le secteur financier présente d’énormes perspectives et nous avons commencé des activités en Australie et en Nouvelle-Zélande. Nous avons également créé des liens avec un nouveau client aux Etats-Unis. Nous constatons que la voie que nous suivons est la bonne, parce que nous avons une présence importante en Espagne, avec un portefeuille de clients et des projets d’envergu- re, mais la qualité de nos solutions est aussi reconnue à l’étranger.

Quelles sont les solutions que votre entreprise propose pour répondre aux nouvelles réglementations comme MiFID II ?

TechRules, en tant qu’entreprise à l’avantgarde de la technologie pour les professionnels, estime que pour mettre en place les normes de MiFID II de manière efficace, il est nécessaire d’utiliser des technologies. Tout changement apporté aux réglementations suppose d’adapter les plateformes et les outils, de même que les solutions offertes aux professionnels destinées à proposer le meilleur service à leurs clients tout en étant conformes aux nouvelles normes.

Chez TechRules, nous avons implémenté depuis longtemps dans nos solutions les changements qui permettront à nos clients de se conformer à la norme MiFID II. Toutes les questions relatives aux opérations et à la transparence vis-à-vis du client, ainsi que les processus de segmentation, KYC… ont été adaptés, c’est notamment le cas de notre plateforme Tower. Il en va de même pour notre solution de roboadvisor, qui permet d’intégrer à toute entité un conseiller de cette ligne technologique sans devoir effectuer un développement propre. TechRules lui livre toute la structure et la personnalise afin qu’il puisse offrir ce produit d’une manière compétitive tout en se conformant à la nouvelle norme.

Quels sont vos principaux objectifs?

Nous sommes ambitieux et nous aimons relever de nouveaux défis susceptibles d’améliorer et de faire croître notre entreprise. Dans le cadre de notre expansion, nous avons prévu de nous engager davantage en Europe, notamment par le biais d’un accord de coopération passé avec ENG Consulting, une société indépendante fondée au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg qui va renforcer notre présence en France et en Allemagne. En outre, nous avons les yeux tournés encore davantage vers le Benelux, où il y a d’importantes niches d’activités que notre entreprise peut aider de manière appropriée.