Foresight Group Holdings Regulatory News (FSG)

23 Jun 2009 07:00



Focus Solutions Group plc

("Focus Solutions" or the "Group")

Focus launches new distribution platform

Focus Solutions Group plc, an established supplier of enterprise solutions to the financial services industry, today announces the launch of focus:enterprise, a channel agnostic distribution platform combined with a range of services to assist global retail banks with distribution change management.

focus:enterprise has been designed in response to the ever increasing regulation imposed on banks and the heightened scrutiny they will face in demonstrating compliance, risk management and treating customers fairly.

focus:enterprise enables global retail banks to distribute any product via any channel and incorporates both products that fit within the existing regulatory framework and those that will fall under the Banking Conduct of Business Sourcebook or the Payment Services Directive in November this year. The solution will assist those banks looking to achieve a single client hub and/or a wealth management transformation programme across their entire organisation.

The new platform and supporting services have been developed from Focus' years of experience in implementing solutions for the largest financial services organisations, who have complex legacy systems.  

On the launch of focus:enterprise, Richard Stevenson, CEO of Focus Solutions commented: "We have observed that many banks still lack an ability to gain a single view of their customer which means they may not be able to execute or evidence compliance with all aspects of the upcoming regulation.  Additionally there is an increasing need for these organisations to have the flexibility to distribute all products via a single platform and we have in focus:enterprise a solution that can help them achieve this."

As well as the channel agnostic platform, focus:enterprise includes a range of services such as gap analysis, support for business case production, advice on delivery approach and a range of end user training options to fully support a financial services organisation undertaking such a project.

Stevenson added "From our experience of working with some of the largest retail banks in the UK, we were aware that a change project of this scale requires a coordinated approach encompassing various business functions and relevant expertise to ensure it is a success.  To this end we have included additional support services and guidance around areas such as business process optimisation, governance and user training within focus:enterprise to provide financial services organisations with the complete package."

- Ends -

For further information:

Media enquiries:

Notes to editors:

About Focus Solutions Group plc

Focus Solutions is an established and proven supplier of enterprise solutions to the financial services industry in the UK, Ireland and more recently across Europe.

Focus has delivered over 100 complex front office projects with multiple integration points and partners to a blue chip client base including 8 out of the top 10 UK Life & Pension providers, a number of leading bancassurers including the likes of HSBC and Irish Life, significant wealth management players such as St James's Place and a number of mortgage providers. The technology truly enables straight through processing whilst providing an engaging client and adviser experience to submit and service business electronically.

focus:360° is at the core of all client implementations providing a single, agile, multi-channel technology platform. Focus has brought together three key areas of expertise: software, consultancy and service delivery. This totally integrated approach means clients can distribute any product across any channel. At the same time they can maintain an enterprise-wide view of the customer value and risk. 

For further information on Focus, please visit www.focus-solutions.co.uk