BAI - Finacle Global Banking Innovation Awards Announces 2012 Winners

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - Oct 9, 2012) - BAI and Infosys today bestowed the most innovative banks in the world with the prestigious 2012 BAI - Finacle Global Banking Innovation Awards. Now in its second year, the global awards program recognizes and supports innovation in the retail banking industry. This year's honorees were recognized at a special ceremony today at BAI Retail Delivery 2012 in Washington, D.C. 

The winning financial institutions were chosen among more than 150 entries from over 30 countries for breakthrough innovations that positively impact banks and their customers. The award winners were selected by the Innovation Circle Judging Panel, an objective, third-party board. This distinguished international group is composed of prominent industry thought-leaders, academics and retail banking professionals.

• OCBC Bank, located in Singapore, earned the Product and Service Innovation Award for FRANK, a radical approach to addressing Generation Y's different style of connecting and engaging with financial institutions. FRANK branches -- or "stores" -- are designed to specifically serve this group of young people aged 18 - 28, through being conveniently and strategically located in campuses and malls, the use of understandable language on signage and documentation, and through a casual atmosphere where popular music is played, and where interactive touch screens allow customers to shop and apply for their personalized FRANK debit or credit card. Overall, FRANK allows OCBC Bank to develop lifetime, personalized relationships with these consumers by meeting their needs early on. 
  
  
• The award for Channel Innovation was won by DenizBank, located in Turkey, for introducing the 'Globally First Ever' Banking Platform on Facebook. With full online banking functionality, the platform enables Facebook users to check their bank account, see a total picture of assets and liabilities, send money to anyone, anytime, purchase/enroll in consumer loans and credit cards, and invite Facebook friends to use the platform, among other capabilities.
  
  
• Alior Bank, located in Poland, received the Disruptive Innovation in Banking Award for changing the banking services market in its country. Alior Sync is a progressive, virtual bank that offers full-service banking via a virtual platform with a contemporary means of communication for its target segment, customers between the ages of 20 to 35. The innovative model of operations eases the facilitation of processes involved in offerings and sales of products and services, such as a fully online credit process -- a first in Poland.
  
  
• The Most Innovative Bank of the Year Award was awarded to First National Bank, a Division of FirstRand Limited, located in South Africa, to honor its culture of innovation and advancement of retail banking. As part of their innovative culture, the bank holds an internal competition, called "Innovators," that formally encourages and supports the process of innovation and related competencies. Business units within FNB are empowered to innovate through leadership buy-in and advocacy.
  
  

Debbie Bianucci, President and CEO of BAI, congratulated the award winners for their creativity and excellence. "These banks serve as a model of what can be achieved through innovation when it comes to enhancing the customer experience and transforming our industry. Their commitment and leadership set new standards for us, and we honor them for their achievement. We look forward to seeing what future innovations will come from the finalists and winners here today as well as other banks around the world."

Haragopal Mangipudi, Global Head - Finacle, Infosys, commended the award winners for their ability to drive consumer engagement through innovation. "Their original thinking is the key to accelerating growth and increasing customer loyalty. As the innovation partner for global financial institutions, we applaud their outstanding efforts."

To learn more about the 2012 BAI - Finacle Global Banking Innovation Awards and to submit nominations for the 2013 awards, please visit www.baiglobalinnovations.com. 

About BAI:

BAI is the financial services industry's partner for breakthrough information and intelligence needed to innovate and stay relevant in an evolving marketplace. For more than 85 years, BAI has focused on advancing the industry by offering unbiased education and research. BAI's offerings are as diverse as the industry, and include premier events such as BAI Retail Delivery Conference & Expo, groundbreaking research and performance metrics, professional learning and development programs, and in-depth editorial coverage through BAI Banking Strategies. For more information, visit www.bai.org

About Infosys:

Infosys partners with global enterprises to drive their innovation-led growth. That's why Forbes ranked Infosys 19 among the top 100 most innovative companies. As a leading provider of next-generation consulting, technology and outsourcing solutions, Infosys helps clients in more than 30 countries realize their goals. Visit www.infosys.com and see how Infosys (NASDAQ: INFY), with its 150,000+ people, is Building Tomorrow's Enterprise® today.

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