Bank makes "significant" investment with UK firm FIRST NATIONAL BANK (FNB) has made a "significant" investment in replacing its disparate legacy branch systems in a bid to improve service delivery.

UK-headquartered Finantix announced last week it had been chosen as the solution partner for a strategic branch renewal programme across more than 600 FNB branches across SA.

"The branch platform replacement programme involves the replacement of FNB`s current disparate legacy branch systems with an integrated sales and service platform," explains Jean Ochse, FNB`s provincial executive of branch banking in Gauteng.

"In addition, this will entail the replacement of the existing legacy OS/2 operating system.

"While FNB is continually seeking to enhance and improve its business processes to increase service delivery to the customer, these efforts are often constrained by the current legacy technology environment.

"The programme seeks to achieve business process efficiencies in the area of sales, service and transacting through enabling technology."

Ochse adds that the programme will not mean laying off staff, but rather that resources will be used more effectively.

Although the bank has not disclosed the value of the Finantix deal, Ochse comments: "The investment is significant and we are confident the bank will reap the rewards of improved service levels to our customers."

"FNB went through an extensive selection process with multiple international vendors and in the end chose Finantix due to the extent of its fit with FNB`s requirements, both functional and technical."

Finantix says FNB`s OS/2-based teller technology is to be replaced by Finantix`s JSEE solution and framework.

Ochse says FNB chose an international vendor because no local vendors compete effectively in this market, although some international vendors evaluated did have local representation.