Financial Insights Releases Annual Top 10 Strategic IT Initiatives Report Series.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 30, 2004

Compliance Will Be Key Initiative for Capital Markets, Corporate

Banking and Retail Financial Services in 2004

Leading independent research and advisory firm, Financial Insights, today announced the release of three new reports identifying the top ten IT initiatives that will have key strategic importance for capital markets, retail financial services and corporate banking in 2004. The reports identify and describe these initiatives, examine why they will have an impact in 2004 and explain why they should be on the minds of business and technology leaders at financial institutions.

Across the industry, Financial Insights believes that financial institutions will have a more optimistic outlook on the importance and value of IT investments in 2004. Chief among strategic initiatives for executives and decision makers in corporate banking, retail financial services and capital markets this year will be the topic of compliance - particularly with the 2004 deadlines for Sarbanes-Oxley. Other key initiatives that industry executives need to be thinking about this year include: vendor consolidation, outsourcing, and integration. The top three issues in each segment are:

-- Capital Markets - Compliance, Credit Risk and Data