Robotic Lending

Request for Information (RFI)

November 17th, 2017

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Table of Contents
1.0 PART 1 – BACKGROUND ........................................................................................ 3
1.1 Overview of Arete Financial Partners .......................................................................................................3
1.2 Strategic Intent .................................................................................................................................................3
1.3 Purpose of the RFI ...........................................................................................................................................4
1.4 Key Requirements ............................................................................................................................................4
2.0 PART 2 – INSTRUCTIONS...................................................................................... 6
2.0 Responses to the RFI ......................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Evaluation Criteria ...........................................................................................................................................6
2.2 Cost of the RFI ..................................................................................................................................................6
2.3 Confidentiality....................................................................................................................................................6
2.4 Acceptance of these Conditions ..................................................................................................................6
3.0 PART 3 – INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED ........................................................... 7
3 General – Partner Background Information ...............................................................................................7
3.2 Platform Capabilities .......................................................................................................................................7
3.3 Technology Requirements.............................................................................................................................7
3.4 Implementation Timeline ..............................................................................................................................8
3.5 Post Implementation Support .....................................................................................................................8
3.6 Commercials.......................................................................................................................................................9
3.7 Case Studies ......................................................................................................................................................9
3.8 Awards & Recognitions ...................................................................................................................................9
4 PART 4 – PARTNERSHIP MODEL ......................................................................... 10
4.1 Roles & Responsibilities ............................................................................................................................... 10
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1.0 PART 1 – BACKGROUND

1.1 Overview of Arete Financial Partners

Arete Financial Partners is a Singapore based boutique management consultancy and

investment advisory firm focused on helping banking and financial service businesses
achieve exceptional results in a highly competitive and changing environment, across
diversified cultures and geographies. Over the last few years, Arete has worked across Asia,
Middle East and Africa with highly visible and respected financial institutions. Some of
Arete’s clients include Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, Commercial International
Bank (Egypt), Rabobank NV and SAMBA (Saudi Arabia). Our services include Strategic
Consulting and Implementation, Business Process Reengineering, Project Management,
Performance Management, and Investment Advisory.

Arete Financial Partners focuses on “Execution Consulting.” Our execution framework brings
the necessary level of discipline and methodology required to create a viable and successful
strategy, since we believe that an idea only creates value once it is executed. We break the
high-level strategy and transformation down into manageable pieces, draw the connections
to structural and operational changes that need to be made, communicate the right
messages to everyone involved in implementation and finally monitor performance against
those strategy implementation efforts and take any necessary corrective actions.

Arete’s Consultants are seasoned professionals who have extensive operating experience
across different geographies and bring a diverse domain of expertise (including a deep
appreciation of technological applications towards business objectives). Arete has been
involved in a range of projects providing both consulting services and project management.
Given the range of our consultants’ experiences, we can cover the domain of Strategy to
Execution unlike other consulting companies who are primarily focused on strategy
consulting.

1.2 Strategic Intent

Arete Financial Partners in its decade long journey has had the opportunity to work with a
multitude of financial institutions across Asia, Africa and The Middle East. Due to its
approach of focussing on Execution Consulting it has deep understanding of its clients, their
operating environment and long-term growth plans. In addition, these clients trust Arete to
assist them to be future ready in an increasingly digitized market place.

Given Arete’s deep understanding of its clients and the evolving needs of these clients to
implement cutting edge solutions, it is Arete’s stated strategic intent to create a symbiotic
operating relationship with technology providers to cover these product gaps. Arete, due to
its operating presence in Asia, Africa & The Middle East, will isolate financial institutions
where this need is immediate, and the technology partner will be positioned as the preferred
solution provider of choice.
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1.3 Purpose of the RFI

The Request for Information (RFI) acts as the first step towards identifying suitable
technology partners to support several potential clients and opportunities across Asia. The
purpose of this RFI is to allow Arete to assess partner capabilities and establish a working
relationship with Arete where roles and responsibilities of both Arete and the Partner in
design, development and deployments of the related technology solutions are clear and
mutually agreed ahead of a potential pitch with a bank.

Whilst it is the intent of Arete to assimilate responses for the purposes of pre-qualification
and possible short listing for further consideration, Arete makes no obligations or
undertakings in any way to:

▪ Go to tender
▪ Accept any RFI information received from partners
▪ Include partners responding to this RFI in any future tender invitation
▪ Any other commitment to partners whatsoever, including any intention to form a
contract with any partner for provision of the Opportunity.

1.4 Key Requirements

Arete is interested to establish a partnership with a technology provider who can bring a
comprehensive suite of robotic lending capabilities to potential financial institution clients
across Asia.

As a start, Arete’s key requirement is to establish a partnership to implement a robotic

lending technology platform which would allow one of our bank clients to offer unsecured
lending products across mobile & web. Once the solution is implemented, further
enhancements to our client’s capabilities to extend channel and products would be explored.
As such, the Robo-lending product & channel scope will cover one product and one channel.

Product & channel scope is as follows:

▪ Product: Unsecured lending
▪ Channel: Mobile & Web

Project process scope covers the end-to-end unsecured lending process including loan
origination, underwriting and fulfillment. Client servicing and loan repayment process will
leverage the existing process with possible enhancements to be made where robotic
capabilities used in the process design may apply.

The project process scope will cover:

▪ Origination – In Scope
▪ Underwriting – In Scope
▪ Fulfillment – In Scope
▪ Servicing – Leverage existing process
▪ Collections – Leverage existing process
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The solution would enhance the bank’s current unsecured lending process, which is labour
intensive, error-prone, cumbersome, paper-based with a long turn-around time and has
poor customer experience to one that is:

▪ Paperless
▪ Instant
▪ Available anytime/anywhere

Project objective is to design and build a fully automated lending (robo-lending) process
and platform of which the benefits and approach can be adopted and further extended
across all lending products and channels. The outcome of the project is to drive:

▪ Increased efficiency and Cost saves

▪ Higher sales & better client experience
▪ Enhanced control/quality

The project would be divided into two parts, including:

1) Phase 1 - Robo Strategy & Design (2 months)

2) Phase 2 - Build of the Robo-Lending Platform (2 Months)

Although scope of the RFI covers both phases, it is assumed that our technology partner
would have a lighter touch involvement in Phase 1 with more substantial responsibilities
and effort required in the build of the robo-lending platform.
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2.0 PART 2 – INSTRUCTIONS

2.0 Responses to the RFI

Given that we have a very tight schedule to complete our assessment, we request your
co-operation to adhere to the RFI schedule as mentioned below.

▪ November 17, 2017 (17:00pm) – RFI release

▪ November 21, 2017 by (17:00pm) – Partners to raise any queries by email
▪ November 24, 2017 (12:00pm) – Partner response to the RFI be submitted by email
▪ November 27-28, 2017 (Time TBD) – Conference call for any further clarification
▪ November 27-28, 2017 – Platform Demo (If required)

All communication to be sent to the following email address:

arvid.swartsenburg@aretefinancialpartners.com

2.1 Evaluation Criteria

Arete Financial Partners will evaluate the responses to this RFI based on the following
key criteria:

▪ Functionality
▪ Implementation timeline
▪ Implementation approach
▪ Proposed project team & profiles
▪ Post implementation support
o Enhancements
o Maintenance
▪ Client references
o # Sites where solution currently life
o # Sites under implementation
▪ Cost
o One-time
o On-going
o Total ownership cost
▪ Software
▪ Hardware

2.2 Cost of the RFI

All costs relating to the preparation and submission of a response are the sole
responsibility of the Partner. Neither Arete nor the client shall pay the Partner, wholly
or in part, for its response.

2.3 Confidentiality
Except as required for the preparation of a proposal, partners must not, without Arete’s
prior written consent, disclose to any third party any of the contents of the RFI
documents. Partners must ensure that their employees, consultants and agents also
are bound and comply with this condition of confidentiality

2.4 Acceptance of these Conditions

Partners, by submitting a response to this RFI, are deemed to have acknowledged and
agreed to the conditions set out in this RFI.
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3.0 PART 3 – INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED

This Part details all the information Partners are required to provide to Arete. Submitted
information will be used by Arete as set out in Clause 1.3. The following minimum
information is to be provided.

3 General – Partner Background Information

3.1 Partner Information

The person responsible for information contained in this proposal is:

Company Name :
Name :
Position :
Address :
Telephone :
Facsimile :
Email :
Website address :

3.2 Platform Capabilities

Please describe the current platform capabilities, or limitations, with specific focus on
delivering the robotic lending requirements as outlined in Section 1.4.

▪ Please describe your capabilities and solution for robotic lending capabilities across web
and mobile for unsecured lending products

▪ Ability to install, integrate and maintain the solution in its entirety, if required.

▪ Ability to integrate with a wide range of core banking, Loan Origination and CRM systems
of potential bank clients. Please describe the minimum integration requirements across:

o Core banking
o Loan Origination
o CRM

3.3 Technology Requirements

Please describe the technology requirements to install the proposed technology solution.

3.3.1 Hardware
▪ Describe any hardware requirements for the system to function
▪ Provide your best estimate of cost for each item of hardware
▪ Model number for required hardware (If available)

3.3.2 Software
▪ What is the software required for the key requirement?
o Please describe your own software
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o Please describe any 3rd party software requirements

▪ Describe the company’s policy regarding source code.
▪ Describe the operating systems under which the proposed system can operate
▪ What programming language(s) was used to develop the system?
▪ How many records can be stored in the proposed system?
▪ Describe the security system used by the proposed solution
▪ Describe your proposed disaster recovery plan to ensure that ensures data is safe and
secure in the event of a disaster.

3.3.3 Network
▪ What network capabilities are required to run the proposed software?
▪ What communication protocols are supported?
▪ What speed of network lines are required for proposed system to function on a Wide
Area Network?

3.3.4 3rd party Vendors

▪ Describe any 3rd party vendors which would need to be involved in procuring the
solution

3.4 Implementation Timeline

Time to market is critical for our clients given their desire to capture a first-mover advantage
in the market which they compete. As such, we would request the partners to please describe
their typical implementation timeline, what is included in a typical base-case implementation
and what dependencies influence this timeline.

3.4.1 Duration of the implementation – Describe the Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
implementation duration including the duration for all stages of analysis, development,
testing, etc.

3.4.2 Project plan - Please provide a project plan and timeline for the solution
implementation, including all phases of the solution where Arete would jointly
participate. What is the required lead time required to initiate a potential project?

3.4.3 Key dependencies – Please describe any key dependencies which may influence the
project timeline including integration requirements, regulatory approvals, vendor
dependencies, etc.

3.4.4 Resource Allocation – Please provide the typical partner resource requirements and
resource plan across the various stages of the solution implementation and their main
responsibilities – Please complete the manpower planning document across the project
Phase 1 and Phase 2 (including both onsite and offsite resource requirements) of
attached to this RFI

3.4.5 Please provide an overview of the profiles used for the project

3.5 Post Implementation Support

3.5.1 Technical Support – Please describe the post-implementation support provided by the
technology partner including the following:
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▪ Where is your technical support center located?

▪ What are the methods for contacting technical support?
▪ Do you have 24/7 technical support?
▪ Describe the qualifications of your technical support staff.
▪ What are the total number of people dedicated for the technical support?
▪ Describe the organization and structure of your technical support services.
▪ Describe the ongoing system support provided by the partner.
▪ What is the costs of technical support?
▪ What are other possible technical support constructs?

3.5.2 Product Development – to understand any future upgrades or rollout of subsequent

versions of the solution, please provide a summary of the following:
▪ Are software upgrades provided as part of the software support contract?
▪ Describe your software upgrade process.
▪ How are requests for enhancements and customizations handled?
▪ Describe the recent history of system enhancements.
▪ Describe the qualifications of your product development department.

3.6 Commercials
Please provide an indicative fixed cost structure for the required solution with a breakdown
across the following elements. Please provide one-time and on-going costs accordingly.
▪ Licenses
o Software
o 3rd party
▪ Mobilization costs
▪ Hardware (if applicable)
▪ Annual Maintenance Cost
o Annual maintenance
o Enhancement costs

Please include any OPE related to Visa’s, travel, hotels or daily per diems in the fixed cost
mobilization costs.

3.7 Case Studies

Please provide relevant case studies
▪ Name of organization
▪ Location of organization
▪ Date of implementation
▪ Scope of implementation
▪ Time to implement
▪ Business outcome
▪ Challenges encountered

3.8 Awards & Recognitions

Please list any relevant awards and recognitions which have been received
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4 PART 4 – PARTNERSHIP MODEL

This section highlights the proposed partnership model to provide clarity to both Arete and the
technology Partner. The partnership model pertains to clients sourced by Arete for whom we
would serve through our partnership model. The below preferred partnership model to market,
design, develop and implement the proposed Robotic Lending solution.

4.1 Roles & Responsibilities

The Robotic Lending Partnership with Arete is intended to leverage the subject matter
expertise of Arete consultants with the technology and platform competencies of the
technology Partner firm. As such, clear division of roles and responsibilities are important to
agree on the approach to develop and implement the solution.

In the diagram below and attached as a separate document, please provide any deviations
from the assumed respective roles and responsibilities across the various project categories.

# Effort Arete % Technology Partner %

Development of business relationships with top management to

understand priorities, pain points and areas of opportunity for
Business RFI/RFP support with wireframes and mock-
1 High their bank or market. Conceptualizing, structuring, presenting, 80% 20%
Development up
negotiating and closing deals. Scope of territory covers Asia,
Middle east & Africa.

Contract Management of all contract matters pertaining to current, future

2 100% N/A 0%
Management and past contracts.

Engagement with key stakeholders across various levels of the

Client Ownership &
3 High
Management
client organization and project scope. Key stakeholders include
May need to attend some senior client
Project team, Senior Management and Board members. Activities 100% 0%
meetings
intended to ensure that key stakeholders are aligned to project
delivery and outcomes as described in project deliverables.

Ensuring that the project scope, timeline and budget is not

Internal IT project management of the
Project compromised. Regular updates to key stakeholders and relevant
4 High 90% technology partner alignment with overall 10%
Management steering committees along with developing the project updates
project plan.
and presentations.

In-depth assessment of the client 'AS-IS" situation including

business model, organization, Process, Technology & other
Review of key findings and Design of
5 Initial Assessment Medium enablement functions. Output would include a comprehensive 90% 10%
technology architecture
report describing the current state and associated implications for
the project.

Design of business requirements and IT solutions including
customer journey, supporting structures, risk & compliance
6 Solution Design High
requirements, legal & regulatory considerations, development of
BRD's and high-level IT costs estimates.
Involvement in the design process to ensure
the design meets the capabilities of the
60% 40%
platform and considerations where solutions
would require added time or costs.

Developing the UI/UX to ensure intersection of profitability, Development of final design though
Solution
7 High functionality, and user engagement to create the most successful 10% installation of the base platform, any 90%
Development
and profitable business solution. required adjustments, testing (UAT & SIT)

Deployment strategy and planning, training, alignment of key

Solution Involvement for testing, issue handling,
8 Medium stakeholders involved in the launch, client communication, 20% 80%
Deployment training of users, etc
metrics tracking, benefits realization
Solution Involvement with maintenance which impacts solution design or Annual maintenance and enhancements as
9 Medium 50% 50%
Maintenance overall functionality of the solution. required

[END]