OLYMPIC Banking System® has been chosen by over 300 banks and financial institutions in more than 50 countries throughout Europe, Asia, America, and Africa. As an integrated, real-time software solution for banking operations as well as asset and wealth management, OLYMPIC Banking System® is considered to be the most comprehensive software available on the market. It offers extensive coverage of front-office, middle-office, and back-office functions, plus online and mobile banking.
Jean-Philippe Bersier, what was the key concept behind ERI Bancaire?
Ever since its creation, ERI’s objective has been to develop an advanced banking platform, enabling its clients to manage their operations with the greatest possible efficiency. Our priority initially was to focus on private banking, an area in which we now occupy a leading position.
Banks and wealth managers are confronted with a market that is subject to extremely rapid change with respect to technological requirements. They must ensure that the systems they use stand the test of time and allow them to develop in line with market trends, while simultaneously reducing complexity, risks, and costs.
What they need are fewer expenses and less difficulty in executing complicated processes, as well as more time to focus on their clients.
What are your most important export markets and why?
Europe is and remains a priority market for ERI. We have our largest geographical footprint in this region. Luxembourg, Monaco, France, the United Kingdom, and Spain are key markets for ERI. However, for several years now we have been developing numerous other geographical zones, both elsewhere in Europe and in Asia, the United States, the Middle East, and Africa. These new markets offer extremely interesting growth opportunities, and we are now targeting all types of financial institutions: retail banks, commercial banks, and of course, wealth management establishments.
What surprised you about the export process – both positive and negative?
There are numerous key criteria within the internationalization process, and it is difficult to pick out just one. It is certainly the combination of various qualities that determines the success of this process.
“An open mind, excellent research, and the ability to listen to our clients are essential criteria. It is critical to identify market needs and understand the local culture and the regulatory context.”
The banking world is extremely complex, and the cost of regulations is becoming more and more significant. Our product is designed and developed to address these constraints. It offers very high flexibility and customization options based on the market in which it operates. We carefully study new markets in which we wish to establish a foothold.
What is the secret to your export success?
IT projects are always complex, particularly in the financial sector, which is the most regulated of all industries and subject to constant change. The fact that we have a 100% success rate in the implementation of our projects is one of our trademarks. This factor is an essential criterion for future clients. The project methodologies that we have developed enable us to guarantee, with the collaboration of our client, that the project will be delivered and that OLYMPIC Banking System will be implemented successfully.
What do you value most with respect to the advice of Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE) and the trade shows it organizes?
S-GE can prove extremely useful when tapping into new markets where our knowledge on the ground is limited.
“The S-GE network is very extensive, and it is always possible to find local contacts who will enable us to understand local specificities and to build up relationships that may prove decisive for the future.”
