IT Becomes Strategic Core for Italian Financial Institutions

A significant shift is underway in Italy's financial sector, with IT increasingly positioned at the heart of industrial strategy, according to a study by Cetif Research and Reply. The research indicates that 65% of Italian financial institutions now view IT as a structural lever for their business, moving beyond its traditional role as a mere support function. This evolution points to a maturing phase of digital transformation, characterized by consolidated technological choices and strengthened collaboration between IT and business units.

The IT strategy has become pivotal in defining investment priorities, guiding modernization efforts, and mitigating complex regulatory and technological constraints. The study also found that 72% of the market identifies enhancements in Operations as the primary driver of innovation. Financial institutions are channeling investments into processes closest to business and customer interactions, recognizing Operations as the segment with the highest digital maturity.

IT demand shows a clear polarization. In areas like Operations, Marketing, and Customer Service, over 75% of IT demand is evolutionary, focused on developing new capabilities and improving customer journeys. For governance and support processes, the demand is more balanced, with about 55% combining corrective and evolutionary interventions, suggesting a consolidation phase.

Investments are strategically prioritizing projects that enable integration, scalability, and customer engagement. Over 65% of strategic initiatives involve omnichannel capabilities, personalization of customer journeys, and the development of API-based platforms. Conversely, infrastructure projects or initiatives less directly linked to customer experience have seen a decrease in priority.

The main obstacles hindering the speed of digital transformation are identified as regulatory complexity and long implementation timelines, cited by nearly 80% of financial institutions. High integration costs and data management challenges also present significant hurdles to progress.