Jihed Hannachi to head European office for axefinance
As a growing international provider of credit process automation solutions, axefinance has opened a new office in Amsterdam. To manage its European operations, the firm is bringing in Jihed Hannachi, a former manager in the Financial Services practice of EY.
Founded in 2004, axefinance provides innovative technology that helps banks automate and streamline their credit processes. The firm’s solutions, ACP, cover the credit life cycle while optimising firm-wide credit and risk management processes, for both corporate and retail lending. ACP is used by banks worldwide, including Société Générale, BIL in Luxembourg, and Bangkok Bank. The firm’s 20,000+ user base also spans the financial services industry, and includes development banks and microfinance organisations.
Looking to build its growing client base, axefinance has embarked on an international expansion, launching its first foreign hub in Abu Dhabi in 2016. axefinance's latest move, into the Netherlands, is the result of growing demand among European banks for solutions to support their digital transformation agenda. Amsterdam, where the office is based, is regarded by the firm as an ideal location from which to oversee the European operations.
Formerly a Manager at EY, Jihed Hannachi specialises in digital transformation initiatives within financial services. After an experience in EY’s audit business, he moved to their fast-growing Advisory practice where he led various transformation programmes ranging from banking solution implementation to digital strategy execution for leading banks in the Netherlands, France, Belgium and Tunisia. He joined axefinance in September 2017 to drive its European growth from the Netherlands.
According to recent research, investment priorities at traditional banks are shifting from channels towards IT as banks start to realise that to keep pace with growing client expectations, their IT business solutions landscape needs to be up for the challenge. Against this backdrop, new solutions, such as axefinance’s integrated credit risk solution ACP, are well positioned to bring invaluable business benefits to both well-established banks as well as challengers.
Commenting on his new challenge, Hannachi said, “By starting this thrilling new journey, I look forward to supporting axefinance’s European growth strategy.” He added that the move from management consulting to technology is driven by his passion for bringing tangible results to his clients. “Building on my advisory experience, I will strive to go the extra mile in helping my clients achieve their digitalisation agenda by offering a cutting edge solutions that lay the groundwork for a data driven lending business model."