Hang Seng Bank and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) are delighted to announce their latest collaborative initiative - with Hang Seng being the first bank to support HKSTP with the launch of Banking Virtual Lab - under a strategic alliance to drive the development of fintech solutions and the future of banking in Hong Kong.
In the Banking Virtual Lab, Hang Seng provides synthetic banking data and input for relevant APIs. The data helps to simulate a general banking environment such as customers’ preference and usage of different banking services and products. By aggregating synthetic banking data and APIs in the Virtual Lab, developers can test and validate their new fintech solutions, encouraging more innovative collaboration and fintech co-creation with the Bank.
Hang Seng and participating technology companies can access this innovation sandbox, leveraging the synthetic banking data and APIs to conduct proof of concept testing and solve specific business problems. With the Virtual Lab, Hang Seng can reduce the time and effort that is traditionally required to identify potential partners and establish data cooperation arrangements in order to verify new solutions. This enables the Bank to collaborate efficiently with partners from other industries, eventually benefiting Hang Seng customers to enjoy cross-industry lifestyle-enhancing collaborations. For participating companies, access to a large synthetic banking data set will enable them to better understand banking services, facilitating further unleashing of their potential and creativity in developing fintech products and solutions.
In the meantime, Hang Seng will leverage on the upcoming Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI) Accelerator 2021 under Global Acceleration Academy (GAA) of HKSTP to scout suitable technology solutions that match Hang Seng’s need. BFSI Accelerator will match financial corporates with HKSTP’s 1000-strong network of technology ventures and solutions to enhance operational efficiency, customer experience, wealth management, regulation and compliance. The evaluation and development of tailor-made solutions for the Bank will help its various businesses improve their services and enhance the ability to offer financial products and initiatives catering to the changing needs of customers.
Eunice Chan, Chief Operating Officer of Hang Seng Bank, said: “Hang Seng has been embracing new initiatives to drive innovation. Through our alliance with HKSTP, we have established a model of cooperation that can boost our development of technology. With our central objective of providing more customer-centric products, services and solutions for customers, we look forward to working closely with partners via HKSTP’s Virtual Lab and to generate more innovative ideas. We also welcome companies from different industries to join the platform so that we can all expand and diversify our business operations together.”
Albert Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP, said: “The Banking Virtual Lab and our pioneering collaboration with Hang Seng is great example of the growing strength of our Fin+Tech ecosystem and Hong Kong’s status as a world-leading fintech hub. Integrating leaders in finance, such as Hang Seng, with innovation from our network of fintech startups in the deep tech areas of AI, blockchain, cybersecurity and data analytics, will accelerate the sector’s ambition to build a new era of financial services in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and beyond.”
Hang Seng will be the first batch of partners to leverage the FinTech Centre in InnoCentre to facilitate more efficient and direct communication with technology companies and explore potential cooperation opportunities to further promote fintech innovation in Hong Kong.
