Update of 01.04.2022: BCBE’s IT subsidiary is operational. Under the name of Aity, it takes over on April 1 the responsibility for the operation and development of the IBIS platform, the central banking system of the cantonal bank. Aity takes over around 150 employees from DXC. “We are pleased to have completed the negotiation phase, which was a major milestone. We would like to thank all the stakeholders for their patience and their work,” underlines Alois Schärli, Head of Finance at BCBE and Chairman of the Board of Directors of aity AG.
Original news from 09.09.2021: Bern Cantonal Bank creates an IT subsidiary to manage its new banking platform
The Bernese Cantonal Bank (BCBE) will create an IT services subsidiary, in collaboration with its IT service provider DXC. The bank relies on this structure to encourage innovation and collaboration with external partners. The entity will be headed by Christoph Lanz, current IT manager for insurer Visana. “In today’s digital world, it is necessary to offer tailor-made offers and to be flexible. We are convinced that by creating this subsidiary we will have the means to react even more quickly to the needs of both our customers and the market”, explains Armin Brun, CEO of the BCBE.
Modernized central banking platform
The future IT subsidiary will be responsible for operating and continuing the development of IBIS4D. Previously called IBIS3G, BCBE’s central banking platform has been overhauled since 2018 by DXC, also in charge of operations. Developed with efficiency in mind, the solution has recently been extended to connect third-party services via API (open banking).
Insourcing
Via its new IT subsidiary, the BCBE will thus integrate DXC specialists who know its banking platform – there are currently 150 of them working at the bank’s IT hub. BCBE’s strategic insourcing option recalls that of Raiffeisen (>Raiffeisen changes its mind and decides to operate its new banking platform itself). The future company will be set up in stages: first security and operations, then the transfer of employees, then the development of synergies with ecosystem partners.
Ongoing negotiations
Many aspects of the BCBE’s IT subsidiary are however still the subject of negotiations with DXC, in particular the question of the property rights of IBIS held by the IT provider, according to the bank’s spokesperson contacted by ICTjournal. The establishment does not give information for the time being on the number of employees who will join the structure. “We are on the right path. I am happy that we have found common ground with our partner DXC and I am delighted to now draw the outlines of this project”, comments Armin Brun, CEO of the BCBE.
