Artificial Intelligence in Financial Services: Matching Value, Velocity and Scale

Artificial intelligence has accelerated operational and technology change within financial services but that does not guarantee scalability or even value to these organisations. Following several years of experimentation, organisations are now moving to productionalise and seek returns from these AI investments. In Monocle’s latest Insights Podcast, we speak to two of Monocle’s senior AI consultants Devin Capazario and Liam McCabe, regarding how to balance AI value, velocity and scalability by carefully considering use-case selection, change management and intentional coordination between technology and business teams.

In our latest podcast, we sit down with Rentia Burger, Associate Director and SAP Lead at Monocle, to unpack why SAP transformation is less software upgrade, more heart surgery; complex, high-stakes, and requiring precision every step of the way. We discuss the biggest trends shaping SAP in financial services, the real benefits and risks of migrating to S/4HANA and the cloud, what to get right when transforming a finance function built around something this central, how AI is reshaping SAP and ERP implementation, and why data quality keeps coming up as the make-or-break factor for these projects.

Monocle has long built its success on a genuinely people-focused business strategy. Steven Mitchell sat down with Willem Ehlers, COO, and Zolile Zikode, Head of Talent Management, to explore how Monocle aligns its people priorities with its broader business goals. From culture and recruitment to training and purpose, every element is designed to create an environment in which our people can grow, perform and thrive.

Basel 3.1 has moved from regulatory interpretation to real-world implementation, requiring banks to translate complex requirements into practical changes across data, systems, modelling, reporting and governance. In this episode of the Monocle Insights Podcast, Rogan Pietersen and Richard Hough from ICBC Standard Bank Plc unpacked the key lessons learnt from their ongoing Basel 3.1 implementation programme. The discussion highlighted the importance of early impact assessments, clear ownership, strong alignment between business and technology, and implementation approaches that support both compliance and long-term operational resilience. For banks preparing for the looming Basel 3.1 deadline, this episode offers practical insight into the challenges, decisions and delivery disciplines required to implement regulatory change effectively. The views expressed in this podcast are Richard’s own and do not necessarily represent those of ICBC Standard Bank Plc.

To discuss the complexities and opportunities of technical data lineage, Rheta Du Preez, Managing Partner at Monocle, sat down with Abhilash Mohan, IT Director – Head of Data Engineering and Head of Data at ABN AMRO Bank. From the evolving state of BCBS 239 in Europe and increasing regulatory pressure, to the complexity of legacy systems and fragmented data, they unpack why many banks are still struggling with their technical data lineage journey, and what practical steps can help. They explore how technology and AI are reshaping these initiatives, and why getting technical data lineage right is not a one-off project, but an always-on capability that underpins resilience, compliance, and competitive advantage.

In this latest episode of the Monocle Insights Podcast, Guy Wilding is joined by Mark Beringer, Monocle’s Head of Technology, to unpack two of the most transformative forces in financial services today: cloud computing and artificial intelligence. From the industry's ongoing cloud migration to the growing adoption of AI and machine learning, we explore the challenges, opportunities, and real return on investment. We also delve into Monocle’s recent partnership with Databricks and what this means for Monocle Tech going forward.

BCBS 239 compliance and improved data quality has become a significant priority for both the European and United Kingdom banking industries. The challenge of implementation and compliance is tougher than ever with expanded scopes and renewed pressure from regulators. However, the benefits of compliance can be significant. Listen to our latest episode of the Monocle insights podcast with two of Monocle’s Directors, Catherine Horne and Rheta Du Preez. They draw on their years of experience implementing BCBS 239 at several clients to share what banks need to do in order to achieve BCBS 239 compliance both quickly and effectively.

Launching your career after university can be overwhelming, but with the right guidance, it can be a defining moment. Zolile Zikode and Lyle Stevens, Senior Talent Managers at Monocle, share their expertise on navigating this critical phase. Discover how our Analyst Graduate Programme empowers young Honours and Master's students to succeed in their careers. Learn about the programme's unique training, how past graduates have risen to leadership positions, and the fun spent during the programme. Set yourself up for a thriving career in consulting, visit our website to apply now and take the first step towards shaping your journey.

On the latest episode of the Monocle Insights Podcast we discuss why model risk has become a risk in its own right and how banks in the UK are set to implement an enhanced model risk management standard. We also unpack the explosion of interest in artificial intelligence and machine learning and how model risk management in financial services will need to adapt to a range of new challenges.

Basel Reforms (Basel IV) implementation deadlines have been delayed across the world and most recently in South Africa to July 2025. On the latest episode of the Monocle Insights Podcast, Dewaldt La Grange, Senior Executive at Monocle unpacks how banks should effectively utilise their additional implementation time as well as discusses the recent reporting changes related to the BA 200 and 210 returns – credit risk reporting - as a result of the Basel Reforms.