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With competition increasing for nonstandard auto risks, companies such as Chicago-based Unique Insurance are realizing that they must step up their efforts to retain their customers. For Unique Insurance, that means new policy management software. “Our representatives will become more efficient in handling claims, our customers will be more satisfied, and, in turn, more of them ... Full story

As the global regulatory climate continues to change rapidly, European financial institution KAS Bank is moving all of its back-office operations - including those related to helping other banks with compliance - from the mainframe to a Microsoft .NET environment. First established in 1808, KAS Bank specializes in wholesale securities services. With total migration to Windows set for completion in 2010, the bank went live ... Full story

As investment decisions grow increasingly complex, insurance firms and other institutions seek faster and more comprehensive financial accounting and reporting around their holdings. Northern Trust is finding an answer for its clients in an outsourcing solution based on Windows software from Pendo Systems, Inc." In today's challenging environment, clients demand full data access and financial reporting that can be completely integrated with front-, middle-, and back-office operations," ... Full story

When Wells Fargo Bank decided to combine cash and check pick-up and delivery services with check imaging services in order to keep pace with its rapid geographic expansion, it chose Brink’s, a company known more for armored trucks than technology. Like other banks, San Francisco-based Wells Fargo is branching outwards. “We’ve had sales offices ... Full story

Whether it’s gasoline, oil, or natural gas, the energy industry is famous for ups and downs across availability and pricing. How, then, can utility companies manage to obtain enough natural gas, at workable price levels, to heat homes and businesses throughout the year? To help answer that question, eCorp Energy Marketing LLC is now using Windows-based software from TechHackers to produce sophisticated pricing models for ... Full story

Despite the implementation challenges, software-oriented architecture (SOA) can be a great vehicle for streamlining and expanding financial services offerings. Insurance provider Unum is now finding this out through an ambitious joint effort by business and technology specialists to build a new self-service portal for small to medium-sized business (SMB) customers. ... Full story

Silverlight, Microsoft’s new cross-platform and cross-browser plug-in, holds tremendous promise across all areas of financial services to meet rising demands among workers and consumers for rich, interactive online experiences. To help drive that potential, Microsoft is creating a series of innovative demos for presentation at industry events as well as in individual meetings with banks, traders, and insurance firms. ... Full story

Like increasing numbers of other financial firms throughout the globe, Edinburgh, Scotland-based Xchange Business has turned to a Windows-based grid computer system as an alternative to a mainframe for scaling its business outward and upward. Why? Economics is the most compelling driver, according to officials of this major player in the international foreign currency exchange and money transfer markets. “We don’t have to expend huge amounts. That’s ... Full story

Although it is always important to keep Windows up-to-date, actually delivering the latest software to far-flung end-users isn’t necessarily simple. But ING Investment Management has found that combining Microsoft SMS (Systems Management Server) 2003 with a remote wakeup product from 1E provides an easy solution for its current Windows XP installation. “We want to get as close as possible to being a 100 percent Microsoft shop,” ... Full story

Insurance claims processing has a reputation for being both time consuming and error-prone with countless manual steps. But through a series of initiatives using .NET technology, CUNA Mutual Group (CMG) has been progressively automating this process, resulting in better accuracy, faster claims decisions, and now, integration between the claims process and new call centers. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, CUNA is a leading financial services provider to ... Full story