Digitalisation

White Clarke Group introduces subscription service capabilities in partnership with Wagonex

Finance technology provider White Clarke Group has partnered with automotive subscription services company Wagonex to extend a pay-to-use car provision strategy to its customer base. Wagonex offers a wide range of vehicles to customers through a number of manufacturer partners, which are all offered for an all-inclusive monthly fee. The new integration with White Clarke Group allows the global software company to bring subscription-based capabilities to its clients throughout Europe.

White Clarke Group introduces subscription service capabilities in partnership with Wagonex

Aug 03, 2020

Finance technology provider White Clarke Group has partnered with automotive subscription services company Wagonex to extend a pay-to-use car provision strategy to its customer base. Wagonex offers a wide range of vehicles to customers through a number of manufacturer partners, which are all offered for an all-inclusive monthly fee. The new integration with White Clarke Group allows the global software company to bring subscription-based capabilities to its clients throughout Europe.

Renault’s partnership with Google Cloud aims to accelerate digitalisation in auto market

Renault and Google Cloud have announced a new partnership to fast-track the digitization of the automaker’s industrial system, and perfect it’s data management platform. With some experience developing its own digital platform, Renault focused on using the platform to connect and aggregate industrial data from 22 sites worldwide representing 76% of its vehicle production. The integration of Google Cloud’s solutions and experience in smart analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) is hoped to boost Renault’s supply chain and manufacturing efficiency and production quality, while reducing the environmental impact.

Renault’s partnership with Google Cloud aims to accelerate digitalisation in auto market

Jul 17, 2020

Renault and Google Cloud have announced a new partnership to fast-track the digitization of the automaker’s industrial system, and perfect it’s data management platform. With some experience developing its own digital platform, Renault focused on using the platform to connect and aggregate industrial data from 22 sites worldwide representing 76% of its vehicle production. The integration of Google Cloud’s solutions and experience in smart analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) is hoped to boost Renault’s supply chain and manufacturing efficiency and production quality, while reducing the environmental impact.

Coronavirus: a crisis for asset finance operations or a catalyst for technological change?

Business leaders have largely embraced the rapid introduction of home working and digital processes as an inevitable necessity. Though the global lockdown has rapidly accelerated trends in digitalisation, seeing many asset finance businesses moving their operations entirely online in a contracted timescale, the direction of these developments is not a new concept for the industry. As a result, the past three months of Zoom, Teams, and Slack meetings, shopping exclusively online, and a new appreciation for IT infrastructure staff, have defined a new – though not unexpected –future for how businesses will operate, long after office doors reopen.

Coronavirus: a crisis for asset finance operations or a catalyst for technological change?

Jul 16, 2020

Business leaders have largely embraced the rapid introduction of home working and digital processes as an inevitable necessity. Though the global lockdown has rapidly accelerated trends in digitalisation, seeing many asset finance businesses moving their operations entirely online in a contracted timescale, the direction of these developments is not a new concept for the industry. As a result, the past three months of Zoom, Teams, and Slack meetings, shopping exclusively online, and a new appreciation for IT infrastructure staff, have defined a new – though not unexpected –future for how businesses will operate, long after office doors reopen.

 

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How augmented intelligence can unlock growth in auto finance

User experience will prove critical to extracting the most valuable insights from data as companies generate ever-greater quantities of complex information about their businesses and their customers. Although robotic process automation, analytics, and artificial intelligence can generate a wealth of valuable business data, it will never become actionable insight unless it is transformed into a usable format that executives can understand. If data is not easy to digest and interpret, then it will not provide the benefits that companies need, according to Alex Plenty, vice-president, data and analytics, Genpact. He warned: “I hear a lot of times of people building ‘data lakes’ but the data is not getting out to the business fast enough.”

How augmented intelligence can unlock growth in auto finance

Jun 22, 2020

User experience will prove critical to extracting the most valuable insights from data as companies generate ever-greater quantities of complex information about their businesses and their customers. Although robotic process automation, analytics, and artificial intelligence can generate a wealth of valuable business data, it will never become actionable insight unless it is transformed into a usable format that executives can understand. If data is not easy to digest and interpret, then it will not provide the benefits that companies need, according to Alex Plenty, vice-president, data and analytics, Genpact. He warned: “I hear a lot of times of people building ‘data lakes’ but the data is not getting out to the business fast enough.”

White Clarke Group reveals changing shape of USA leasing market

Leading finance technology company White Clarke Group has launched a new USA leasing market report that profiles a robust industry well-placed to manage the economic challenges ahead. The annual survey, produced in association with the World Leasing Yearbook, assesses the performance of the national leasing market in the USA up to mid-2019. It uses in-depth research conducted on behalf of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation by Keybridge Research and offers a wealth of economic and industry insights, including the size of the equipment finance market before the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

White Clarke Group reveals changing shape of USA leasing market

Jun 10, 2020

Leading finance technology company White Clarke Group has launched a new USA leasing market report that profiles a robust industry well-placed to manage the economic challenges ahead. The annual survey, produced in association with the World Leasing Yearbook, assesses the performance of the national leasing market in the USA up to mid-2019. It uses in-depth research conducted on behalf of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation by Keybridge Research and offers a wealth of economic and industry insights, including the size of the equipment finance market before the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Creating Mobility-as-a-Service Models

Leasing companies are focusing on their core strengths as they adapt to meet the new mobility needs of consumers. In carving a new role in the Mobility as a Service landscape, leasing companies can excel as specialist providers of vehicles to other mobility services, including global technology platforms such as Uber, in addition to their traditional role of providing vehicles direct to end-user customers. This plays to the strengths of leasing companies as vehicle management experts, particularly when it comes to serving the complex needs of large fleets.

Creating Mobility-as-a-Service Models

Jun 01, 2020

Leasing companies are focusing on their core strengths as they adapt to meet the new mobility needs of consumers. In carving a new role in the Mobility as a Service landscape, leasing companies can excel as specialist providers of vehicles to other mobility services, including global technology platforms such as Uber, in addition to their traditional role of providing vehicles direct to end-user customers. This plays to the strengths of leasing companies as vehicle management experts, particularly when it comes to serving the complex needs of large fleets.

Invisible assets - managing the rise of servitization in asset finance

The asset finance industry is changing as customers look to fund ‘invisible assets’ that fall outside traditional product boundaries. Historically, the industry used the mantra ‘you can only finance it if it has wheels on the corner’ to identify assets that could be financed, but this is no longer the case. Growing interest in servitization means companies are looking to fund access to products and services rather than owning assets themselves.

Invisible assets - managing the rise of servitization in asset finance

Apr 28, 2020

The asset finance industry is changing as customers look to fund ‘invisible assets’ that fall outside traditional product boundaries. Historically, the industry used the mantra ‘you can only finance it if it has wheels on the corner’ to identify assets that could be financed, but this is no longer the case. Growing interest in servitization means companies are looking to fund access to products and services rather than owning assets themselves.

German Leasing Market Update Released

The German leasing sector reported a robust market ahead of the disruption caused by the Coronavirus, with growth in total volume to more than €60 billion, according to a new market report. The report has been released by White Clarke Group in association with the World Leasing Yearbook and provides an assessment of markets in the period up to mid-2019. It reveals that in 2018 the total volume of new business acquired in Germany was €60.7bn (as compared with €58.8bn in the preceding year).

German Leasing Market Update Released

Apr 27, 2020

The German leasing sector reported a robust market ahead of the disruption caused by the Coronavirus, with growth in total volume to more than €60 billion, according to a new market report. The report has been released by White Clarke Group in association with the World Leasing Yearbook and provides an assessment of markets in the period up to mid-2019. It reveals that in 2018 the total volume of new business acquired in Germany was €60.7bn (as compared with €58.8bn in the preceding year).

Breaking the 9-to-5: The rise of “anytime, anywhere” service in auto finance

Auto finance providers must be prepared to provide on-demand service to deliver the experience that customers now expect in return for their loyalty. The provision of a seamless, high quality and personalised service will be vital to future growth as there is an increasing focus on supporting customer interactions at any time of day. Nick Smith, partner with Deloitte Consulting, stated: “Customer centricity is absolutely vital; people expect an anytime, anywhere customer experience; it is not just 9-to-5.”

Breaking the 9-to-5: The rise of “anytime, anywhere” service in auto finance

Apr 07, 2020

Auto finance providers must be prepared to provide on-demand service to deliver the experience that customers now expect in return for their loyalty. The provision of a seamless, high quality and personalised service will be vital to future growth as there is an increasing focus on supporting customer interactions at any time of day. Nick Smith, partner with Deloitte Consulting, stated: “Customer centricity is absolutely vital; people expect an anytime, anywhere customer experience; it is not just 9-to-5.”

FCA partners with Amazon to deliver cars by subscription

Car manufacturers are developing innovative new finance models as customers expect to move away from ownership towards usership. Among the leading innovators is FCA Bank, which is powering a range of new services for car users, including pay per kilometre and cars by subscription through its mobility arm Leasys. Marcella Merli, head of sales and marketing for FCA Bank, said: “Mobility services are really paramount for the future of our sector and the revolution is also coming from the customer.”

FCA partners with Amazon to deliver cars by subscription

Mar 16, 2020

Car manufacturers are developing innovative new finance models as customers expect to move away from ownership towards usership. Among the leading innovators is FCA Bank, which is powering a range of new services for car users, including pay per kilometre and cars by subscription through its mobility arm Leasys. Marcella Merli, head of sales and marketing for FCA Bank, said: “Mobility services are really paramount for the future of our sector and the revolution is also coming from the customer.”

White Clarke Group partners with Solutions by Text to enhance customer communications

Global finance technology company White Clarke Group is partnering with SMS software company Solutions by Text to support better communication between lenders, dealerships and customers. The integration coordinates White Clarke Group’s existing CALMS loan origination software with Solutions by Text’s automated outbound messaging services. This enables lenders to send SMS notifications on the progress of ongoing applications.

White Clarke Group partners with Solutions by Text to enhance customer communications

Mar 16, 2020

Global finance technology company White Clarke Group is partnering with SMS software company Solutions by Text to support better communication between lenders, dealerships and customers. The integration coordinates White Clarke Group’s existing CALMS loan origination software with Solutions by Text’s automated outbound messaging services. This enables lenders to send SMS notifications on the progress of ongoing applications.

White Clarke Group appoints Wayne Ross as group chief technical officer

White Clarke Group has appointed Wayne Ross as its group chief technical officer. Ross (pictured) has worked in engineering, technology development and business management for 25 years and will be supporting White Clarke Group’s executive board to lead the company’s strategic development of innovative technology.

White Clarke Group appoints Wayne Ross as group chief technical officer

Mar 13, 2020

White Clarke Group has appointed Wayne Ross as its group chief technical officer. Ross (pictured) has worked in engineering, technology development and business management for 25 years and will be supporting White Clarke Group’s executive board to lead the company’s strategic development of innovative technology.

White Clarke Group’s 2020 Global Leasing Report reveals nine years of continuous growth in leasing

The annual Global Leasing Report 2020, released by White Clarke Group in association with the World Leasing Yearbook, has revealed how nearly nine years of growth has shaped the market. The report, which is available for free download, is the definitive guide to the world’s top 50 leasing markets and provides detailed analysis of country trading environments and trends in auto and equipment finance. Highlights show that the global leasing industry has expanded by 131% in the past nine years, powered by Asia, North America and Europe, despite economic challenges. The three regions make up 95% of the world’s total leasing volume.

White Clarke Group’s 2020 Global Leasing Report reveals nine years of continuous growth in leasing

Mar 03, 2020

The annual Global Leasing Report 2020, released by White Clarke Group in association with the World Leasing Yearbook, has revealed how nearly nine years of growth has shaped the market. The report, which is available for free download, is the definitive guide to the world’s top 50 leasing markets and provides detailed analysis of country trading environments and trends in auto and equipment finance. Highlights show that the global leasing industry has expanded by 131% in the past nine years, powered by Asia, North America and Europe, despite economic challenges. The three regions make up 95% of the world’s total leasing volume.

Using AI to innovate and drive loyalty through remarkable customer experiences

Artificial intelligence can play a key role in improving levels of customer service and satisfaction in auto finance to increase loyalty and revenue, according to a leading industry expert. Bob Beatty, executive vice-president, customer experience, at GM Financial has revealed how AI can revolutionise how thousands of customer interactions are handled, giving team members more time to manage more complex customer enquiries. “The mandate I was given was to innovate to drive loyalty through remarkable customer experiences from the dealer front and the customer front,” Beatty said. “I looked at what our customers were telling us and instead of taking it as exactly what they were saying, when I looked at it from a different perspective, they were saying, ‘make this easy, give me my time back.’ Time has become our customers’ greatest asset now.”

Using AI to innovate and drive loyalty through remarkable customer experiences

Feb 25, 2020

Artificial intelligence can play a key role in improving levels of customer service and satisfaction in auto finance to increase loyalty and revenue, according to a leading industry expert. Bob Beatty, executive vice-president, customer experience, at GM Financial has revealed how AI can revolutionise how thousands of customer interactions are handled, giving team members more time to manage more complex customer enquiries. “The mandate I was given was to innovate to drive loyalty through remarkable customer experiences from the dealer front and the customer front,” Beatty said. “I looked at what our customers were telling us and instead of taking it as exactly what they were saying, when I looked at it from a different perspective, they were saying, ‘make this easy, give me my time back.’ Time has become our customers’ greatest asset now.”

Simply completes first deal powered by open banking technology

SME funder Simply has completed its first deal enabled through open banking technology that accelerates the funding process by providing quick, secure access to customer data. The customer was talking to Simply about a funding package and provided permission for the finance provider to electronically view banking data. Simply could then digitally access statements, removing the need for the customer to email or print them. Data was then analysed using software to speed decision-making.

Simply completes first deal powered by open banking technology

Feb 10, 2020

SME funder Simply has completed its first deal enabled through open banking technology that accelerates the funding process by providing quick, secure access to customer data. The customer was talking to Simply about a funding package and provided permission for the finance provider to electronically view banking data. Simply could then digitally access statements, removing the need for the customer to email or print them. Data was then analysed using software to speed decision-making.

How finance industry leaders must embrace change to drive future growth

Finance industry leaders are taking insights from the FinTech sector as they adapt their companies to a changing business environment. The competitive landscape of asset finance means that companies must embrace change to maintain differentiation and secure loyalty among customers, according to a leading panel of executives. Panellists present at the IAFN Conference included Nathan Mollett, director of Metro Bank Asset Finance, who remarked: “In equipment finance right now, there just isn’t enough innovation. In equipment finance I think increasingly there will be a bigger requirement to have on-demand models. “We are seeing a bit of that in construction and maybe agriculture, but traditional equipment financiers will have to develop pay-as-you-use models to create that differentiation.”

How finance industry leaders must embrace change to drive future growth

May 09, 2019

Finance industry leaders are taking insights from the FinTech sector as they adapt their companies to a changing business environment. The competitive landscape of asset finance means that companies must embrace change to maintain differentiation and secure loyalty among customers, according to a leading panel of executives. Panellists present at the IAFN Conference included Nathan Mollett, director of Metro Bank Asset Finance, who remarked: “In equipment finance right now, there just isn’t enough innovation. In equipment finance I think increasingly there will be a bigger requirement to have on-demand models. “We are seeing a bit of that in construction and maybe agriculture, but traditional equipment financiers will have to develop pay-as-you-use models to create that differentiation.”

Equipment finance could benefit from mirroring digital consumer services

The equipment finance industry should adopt levels of service more closely aligned with digital consumer companies to meet future customer needs, according to a senior industry leader. The move would ensure companies meet the expectations of a new generation of customer employees, who have grown up experiencing the benefits of services powered by technology. Mark Bainbridge, executive vice-president of Caterpillar's captive financial services arm Cat Financial, said as a new generation of executives join the workforce, they expect to have greater levels of digital interaction with finance companies in addition to personalised support.

Equipment finance could benefit from mirroring digital consumer services

May 01, 2019

The equipment finance industry should adopt levels of service more closely aligned with digital consumer companies to meet future customer needs, according to a senior industry leader. The move would ensure companies meet the expectations of a new generation of customer employees, who have grown up experiencing the benefits of services powered by technology. Mark Bainbridge, executive vice-president of Caterpillar's captive financial services arm Cat Financial, said as a new generation of executives join the workforce, they expect to have greater levels of digital interaction with finance companies in addition to personalised support.

Nissan launches online sales in Mexico

Nissan has begun selling passenger cars online in Mexico. The manufacturer has launched a digital store in a partnership with e-commerce specialist Mercado Libre, one of the largest online consumer retail platforms in the country.

Nissan launches online sales in Mexico

May 01, 2019

Nissan has begun selling passenger cars online in Mexico. The manufacturer has launched a digital store in a partnership with e-commerce specialist Mercado Libre, one of the largest online consumer retail platforms in the country.

Jaguar Land Rover trials blockchain-powered smart wallets to offer payments and rewards through connected cars

Drivers will earn rewards by agreeing for their cars to automatically provide weather and road condition reports under a new blockchain-powered service being developed by Jaguar Land Rover. Using crytocurrency technology, vehicle owners earn credits by sharing data their cars are gathering, such as traffic congestion or potholes, which is then sold on to service providers including navigation companies or local authorities. Drivers can then redeem credits for rewards with financial ecosystem partners, which could include coffee shops or local authorities to pay for road tolls, parking or electric vehicle charging.

Jaguar Land Rover trials blockchain-powered smart wallets to offer payments and rewards through connected cars

Apr 29, 2019

Drivers will earn rewards by agreeing for their cars to automatically provide weather and road condition reports under a new blockchain-powered service being developed by Jaguar Land Rover. Using crytocurrency technology, vehicle owners earn credits by sharing data their cars are gathering, such as traffic congestion or potholes, which is then sold on to service providers including navigation companies or local authorities. Drivers can then redeem credits for rewards with financial ecosystem partners, which could include coffee shops or local authorities to pay for road tolls, parking or electric vehicle charging.

Apple’s giant leap into fintech – what Apple Card means for the future of finance

Global tech giant Apple aims to rewrite the rules of finance with the release of Apple Card, its first major move into banking services. The launch of the card illustrates the disruptive power that tech giants can wield and highlights how their direct access to customers through technology, such as smartphones, can accelerate take-up.

Apple’s giant leap into fintech – what Apple Card means for the future of finance

Apr 16, 2019

Global tech giant Apple aims to rewrite the rules of finance with the release of Apple Card, its first major move into banking services. The launch of the card illustrates the disruptive power that tech giants can wield and highlights how their direct access to customers through technology, such as smartphones, can accelerate take-up.

How new AI capabilities are opening up opportunities for finance companies

The financial services sector exists in a disrupted and highly uncertain space. In the decade since the 2008 financial crash, there has been a fundamental shift in how it is regulated, how we think about finance, and how players compete. For instance, the UK has led the way with initiatives such as Open Banking and the Financial Conduct Authority’s Regulatory Sandbox to encourage and fast-track product innovation.

How new AI capabilities are opening up opportunities for finance companies

Apr 16, 2019

The financial services sector exists in a disrupted and highly uncertain space. In the decade since the 2008 financial crash, there has been a fundamental shift in how it is regulated, how we think about finance, and how players compete. For instance, the UK has led the way with initiatives such as Open Banking and the Financial Conduct Authority’s Regulatory Sandbox to encourage and fast-track product innovation.