Savings banks – operational excellence

Operational excellence

A key to integrated optimization in savings banks

Operational excellence, or OPEX for short, stands for the comprehensive optimization of all processes within the value chain. The aim is to improve not only direct operational activities, but also indirect functions such as administrative and support areas. These areas hold considerable potential and should therefore be designed for efficiency, seamlessly integrated into the value creation process and subject to continuous improvement.

Savings banks are in the midst of a rapidly evolving world, in which it is often difficult to keep up with the speed of development. Both external effects – driven by customer needs, market changes and competition – and internal requirements must be taken into account in the savings banks’ development process. It is a balancing act that requires strategic foresight and adaptability.

On the customer side, the need for simple and transparent high-speed processes is being further fueled by the Big Tech companies. At the same time, customers are expecting a high level of reliability and, depending on the business transaction (particularly in the case of complex business), permanent and competent contact persons.

On the market side, economic changes and rising interest rates are leading to new challenges for both customers and savings banks. Additionally, ongoing discussions about environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects require an adaptation or development of a corresponding ESG strategy, which should also be reflected in the company’s internal processes.