B. G. Srinivas
Analyst · Pacific Crest Securities
Thank you, Shibu. The financial services industry as such across capital markets, banking and insurance is definitely under cost pressure. In the current environment, we see mix of decisions being taken. On one hand, there is a relook at the operating model with respect to further vendor consolidation initiatives within our client environment, again, to consolidate the business, drive up volumes for the partners and look for discounts. So that is definitely happening in today's environment. Number two, in terms of other actions being taken in terms of reducing costs, if we relook at the programs, which can be put-off, and then we have seen some of the existing programs being further thought through before the deal is taken. They have not really clearly said no. But at the same time, they are not thinking of issuing yes as well. Number two, they are also looking at infra, in fact, in the last 3 to 4 months, we have seen more opportunities, which are being put out in terms of outsourcing on the infrastructure management services side. The third element, which we see a little bit of slowdown is on the investments which were being planned on the regulatory and compliance. There are still investments being made, but at the same time, decisions are not being taken that quickly. These are some of the elements we are seeing. In Europe, particularly, again, a mixed reaction. In the Nordics, we have seen some of the banks looking at offshore initiatives, which was not there in the past. We have seen at least 2 of the large banks putting out bids for off-shoring. These are generic trend across all the banks, but we see it for the first time this sector in Nordics opening up. In Australia, particularly, we are seeing more efforts to drive work offshore as compared to the traditional model of doing more work on-site. So these are some of the activities we are observing in the financial services sector.