Partnership with DekaBank enriched and expanded

The partnership between Finanz Informatik Technologie Service and DekaBank goes back many years. The first agreement was signed by the DekaBank – the Sparkasse Group’s asset management company – back in 2001. Framed by the DekaBank’s policy of reviewing contracts well before they’re due to expire, the formal review and redesign of the collaboration was on the agenda for the end of 2007. “It was up to FI-TS to show what they could offer,” explains Richard Arnold, head of IT production at DekaBank. “And they came through with flying colours.”

Trust and satisfaction

Underpinning the successful contract was the relationship of trust between us and the customer, and not least the In 2008 DekaBank extended its contract with FI-TS, and also commissioned more services over the course of the year. Our long-standing collaboration with DekaBank exemplifies the importance of mutual trust in the relationship between banks and providers. Not only have we extended our service agreement – we’re also planning additional joint projects. DekaBank’s satisfaction with our services. “Trust, reliability and competence are our basic benchmarks for choosing the right IT service partner,” says Richard Arnold. “We’ve certainly found the right partner in FI-TS.” The first step in the negotiations was to bring service terms into line with the current requirements of DekaBank. This entailed securing business continuity, further alignments to “arms-length” standards, and classic fulfilment of all risk and security requirements in force in the banking sector. The new contract also had to be adapted to the changed market circumstances reflecting economic development of recent years.

Increased efficiency and flexibility

In updating the contract, efforts therefore focused on delivering optimal efficiency gains while maintaining maximum flexibility in terms of service delivery. We discussed openly and in considerable detail with DekaBank about their various requirements. What emerged was a contract which offers DekaBank a maximum in terms of standards-based services and flexibility. For example, the contract comprises flexible trajectories for both upsizing and downsizing: if DekaBank needs to raise or lower the agreed service scope and volume, this is possible at any time. We are also passing the cost savings from improved productivity on to our customer, with cost decreases over several years already agreed in the contract. We have also agreed TCVs (total contract volume), which give the DekaBank pricing benefits if they should request more services over the course of our cooperation.