Published Date: January 21, 2011

Central and Eastern European Banks Lead Innovation Across Europe

New Study from Infosys and Efma Recognizes Customer Focused Innovation, Especially in the Area of Mobile and Payments, as a Clear Focus for Banks

London – January 21, 2011: Infosys Technologies Ltd and the European Financial Marketing Association (Efma) today announced the release of its second annual study on Innovation in Retail Banking.

Five key dimensions of banking innovation were evaluated by the study – product, process, channel, customer relationship management and customer experience.

The key findings include:

• Innovation Index: Banks in Central & Eastern Europe, closely followed by those in the Middle East and Africa, are deemed the most innovative. Western European banks emerged the least innovative, and the index shows a decline in their innovation scores from 2009.
  • 61% of all surveyed banks have increased their level of investment in innovation in 2010, while only 11% decreased their level of investment.
• Customer Focused Innovation: New approaches such as crowdsourcing and customer insight-driven product and service development, are being adopted to bring the customer into the innovation process. Mobile banking and payments is a clear innovation focus area for banks.
  • In addition to the conventional drivers of innovation – technology and competition, user insight is enabling banks to create solutions that promise unique individual experiences.
• IT Innovation Enabler: 80% of all surveyed banks see IT as a key enabler of innovation. However, less than 50% of the banks say they are leaders in the use of IT for innovation. Banks believe the relationship between business and IT departments is the biggest implementation challenge.
  • On average across regions, two thirds of banks believe that inflexible IT is a barrier to innovation; however, 90% of these are investing to increase their flexibility.

Haragopal Mangipudi, Global Head – Finacle, Infosys Technologies said: “While the strategic importance of innovation for banks has been established, a clear vision and approach for strategic innovation are still quite rare. The study has also shed light on new approaches to co-creation of products with customers. Finacle is committed to the task of partnering banks – all the way – to drive their innovation priorities.”

Patrick Desmarès, Secretary General, Efma, added: “Innovation has grown as a priority for banks, and this is supported by increasing investments. There are numerous new examples of product, channel and process innovations, as well as cases of banks adopting innovative business models. Bankers across regions agree that innovation is the key to both efficiency and growth.”

Additional information

• 145 banks across 50 countries in EMEA participated in the survey.

Efma

The European Financial Marketing Association is a non-profit making association, formed in 1971 by bankers and insurers. Today, its members include over 80% of Europe’s largest retail financial institutions. Efma provides a professional forum that enables members to share experiences; promote best practices; and collaborate through alliances and partnerships. This is complemented by regular events, councils, detailed studies, a journal and a comprehensive website, packed with information and news.

About Finacle Universal Banking solution

Finacle from Infosys partners with banks to power-up their innovation agenda, enabling them to differentiate their products and service, enhance customer experience and achieve greater operational efficiency. This proven and effective framework for multi-disciplinary change enables banks to shift their strategic and operational priorities.

Finacle solutions address the core banking, e-banking, Islamic banking, treasury, wealth management and CRM requirements of retail, corporate and universal banks worldwide.

Several powerful and differentiating features make Finacle one of the most comprehensive, flexible and scalable universal banking solutions in its class. These solutions, when associated with Finacle services, empower banks to maximize their opportunities for growth, while minimizing the risks that come with large-scale business transformation. For more information, visit www.edgeverve.com/finacle

About Infosys Technologies Ltd

Infosys (NASDAQ: INFY) defines, designs and delivers IT-enabled business solutions. These solutions focus on providing strategic differentiation and operational superiority to clients. As on December 31, 2010 the Infosys group employed about 127,000 employees in over 50 offices worldwide. Infosys is part of the NASDAQ-100 Index and The Global Dow. For more information, visit www.infosys.com

Safe Harbor

Statements in connection with this release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of US Securities laws intended to qualify for the ‘safe harbor’ under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties including those described in our SEC filings available at www.sec.gov including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended March 31, 2010, and our other recent filings, and actual results may differ materially from those projected by forward-looking statements. We may make additional written and oral forward-looking statements but do not undertake, and disclaim any obligation, to update them.

Press contact

For further information, please contact:

Infosys press office – Asia Pacific
Joya Ahluwalia
Infosys Technologies Ltd, India
+9180 41057527
Joya_Ahluwalia@infosys.com

Infosys press office – EMEA
Antonia Maneta
Infosys Technologies Ltd, UK
+44 0 207 715 3499
Antonia_Maneta@infosys.com

Press Contact for Efma
FWD PR
Alexandra Thompson
+44 (0)207 6232368
Alexandra@fwdpr.co.uk