Big Data In Finance: Benefits and Applications

The consistent and exponential growth of technology and increasing data generation capabilities completely transform how businesses operate especially the financial sector. The financial industry is extraordinarily data-intensive and presents a definitive opportunity for data to be processed, analyzed, and leveraged in unique and valuable ways. This intersection of the financial sector and technological advances has completely and significantly changed many aspects of human activity.

Big data is a precious commodity, and the financial sector has grabbed this opportunity to use its potential to develop advanced decision-making models and apply predictive analytics to generate diverse economic trends.

What is Big Data in Finance?

Big data refers to large, complex data sets that can be voluminous and diverse (structured, semi-structured and unstructured). Big data in finance encompasses a wide range of data generated from various sources, including financial institutions, stock markets, customer transactions, user accounts, credit services, risk analysis etc. 

Financial institutions are leveraging this big data to generate revenue, provide stringent security, deliver personalized recommendations and much more. This article discusses the benefits of big data and its applications for the financial sector.

Let's look at some of the benefits and applications of big data in the financial industry.

How Does Big Data Benefit The Financial Sector?

• Fraud detection: Cyber fraud and cyber-attacks are a matter of concern for the financial industry. Cybercrime exposes the vulnerability of consumer, banking, and other financial institutions' data. Predictive analysis, AI and ML algorithms can help ward off potential fraud by analyzing customer behavior patterns and flagging any anomalous behavior.
• Risk management: Using data analytics can help financial institutions manage and mitigate risk in many ways. Big data analytics enables the financial sector to segregate customers as per creditworthiness for credit risk management, helping them narrow down the target audience for credit products and mitigating risk exposure. Using data analytics, predictive analysis and other metrics for fraud detection and prevention allows banks to reduce or eliminate risks, reduce reputational damage retaliatory action and protect customer interests.
• Customer profiling: Data analytics can help reduce risks by accurately analyzing the data streams from various sources, which can then be presented in formats and visuals that enable financial institutions to make informed decisions regarding the financial profiles of customers. Using advanced analytics, an accurate picture of customers can be generated about who they are, their motivation, the financial products they have invested in, and much more. The information generated from the big data can help identify what financial products the customer needs rather than what will be sold. This level of insight can help banks deliver the right product or service.
• Enhancing customer experience: Personalization is an essential part of a customer experience and has advantages like reducing customer churn, increasing sales, etc. A Capco study has found that 72% of customers rate personalization as "highly important" in today's financial landscape. It makes customers feel they have been seen, heard and understood, and contributes to a satisfying customer experience. Big data analytics can give a valuable understanding of customer needs based on data generated from customer feedback. As per a report from Forrester, banks that lead in customer experience (CX) have better revenue growth, have better brand preference, and retain more customers than those who neglect customer experience.  
• Reducing operational costs: Reducing operating costs increases profitability and efficiency. Data analytics helps identify the weak spots within the financial sector, enabling them to deal with issues effectively. It also helps uncover unnecessary expenses that can be reduced or eliminated. Prescriptive and predictive analysis can help generate strategic recommendations on optimizing existing processes to drive efficiency and lower costs.

Applications of Big Data In Finance

• Streamlining workflows: The volume, velocity and variety of data in the financial sector lead to the modernization of application systems and core financial data using uniform integration platforms. This streamlined workflow and reliable data processing systems can encourage financial institutions to integrate the technology. Digital transformation in financial services can be achieved by using big data technology to optimize, enhance, and innovate the delivery and value of financial services.
• Reduce or eliminate manual processes: Automating financial workflows enables financial institutions to reduce and even eliminate some manual processes. This reduces the risk of human error and consequent regulatory penalties. Big data provides a complete picture of transactions that helps in faster and smarter decision-making process.
• Increasing avenues for better revenue generation: Financial institutions can use big data analytics to make data-driven decisions on their economic activities, create new financial products and services, managing their income and expenditure portfolios and internal controls. Big data analytics helps deliver personalized recommendations, security, and services to customers and increase efficiency to drive competitive advantage. Analytically driven decisions can improve financial management while lowering the cost of capital.
• Growth analysis: Big data algorithms can help financial institutions perform accurate time growth analysis. It helps meet their financial regulations and compliance and gain valuable market insights.

To Summarize

The financial sector's use of technology enables the efficient use of big data for digital transformation to leverage their capabilities. As more and more financial companies realize the benefits and comprehensively apply these changes, it can help drive new market opportunities and increase their competitive advantages. Aligning with an experienced software company can help the financial industry engage in data-driven optimization.