Finabank N.V. has entered into a cooperation agreement with Deloitte Nederland to structurally integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into its services and operations. With the so-called AI Transformation Programma, the bank aims to make its processes more efficient, improve decision-making and support employees in their daily work.
The collaboration is intended to help Finabank further develop into an AI-driven bank. The focus is on strengthening specialist knowledge, accelerating internal processes and improving services for customers. The analysis of data and the management of financial and operational risks will also receive special attention.
According to Finabank, the programme is not intended to replace the human role within the organisation, but rather to better support employees. By automating routine tasks and organising business processes more intelligently, more room should be created for personal customer contact, specialist advice and the handling of complex issues.
AI must support employees
Eblein Frangie, CEO of Finabank, stresses that the use of artificial intelligence should primarily contribute to increasing the knowledge and capabilities of staff.
“Our ambition is to use AI to increase the knowledge and effectiveness of our employees. This will enable us to analyse complex issues better, make decisions faster and devote more time to our customers. Technology supports us in this, while our people remain responsible and personal contact remains central,” Frangie said.
The bank also expects that improved processing and linking of data will contribute to recognising customer needs more quickly. This will make it possible to offer more targeted financial solutions. AI should also help identify anomalies earlier, reduce errors and provide better substantiation for decisions.
International expertise of Deloitte
Deloitte Nederland will guide Finabank in developing an integrated approach to the use of data and artificial intelligence. This will include attention to AI governance, or the rules, responsibilities and controls needed to apply AI responsibly.
According to Jurre Deijnen, partner at Deloitte Nederland, strengthening employees is central to the collaboration.
“Finabank has deliberately chosen an approach in which AI strengthens employees and personal customer contact remains central. We are deploying our international expertise and experience in the financial sector to translate this ambition into concrete applications,” Deijnen said.
The collaboration brings together Deloitte’s international knowledge in technological innovation and the financial sector with Finabank’s experience in the Surinamese market.
Protection of customer data central
When introducing AI within the bank, data security and the confidentiality of customer information will receive special attention. Finabank states that appropriate controls must ensure that artificial intelligence is deployed carefully and responsibly.
Employees remain responsible for the final decisions. In addition, they will receive support and training to use the new technology effectively.
According to the bank, the AI Transformation Programma builds on earlier modernisation initiatives. Finabank aims to gradually give artificial intelligence a permanent place in daily operations and achieve measurable improvements in services, quality and efficiency.
With the collaboration, Finabank is taking a further step in the digitalisation of its banking services. The bank aims to combine technological innovation with reliability and personal attention for its customers.
