Shortlisted as ‘Asset Servicing Regulatory Solution of The Year’ in 2023, Depowise is an Estonian-founded FinTech startup revolutionizing asset servicing operations. In a strategic move to fortify its presence in Luxembourg, Depowise has recently appointed Melanie Moos as Country Managing Director, underscoring its commitment to enhancing customer scalability and profitability. Melanie shared with us her visionary insights on Depowise growth and strategies to stay at the forefront of the industry.

With your extensive experience at KPMG Luxembourg and Clearstream, how do you intend to leverage it into your new position as Country Managing Director at Depowise, and more particularly in enhancing scalability and profitability?

"In both roles, I encountered the challenge of implementing large-scale IT transformation programs. I understand the complexities involved in developing in-house solutions, as well as the intricacies of successfully managing Requests for Proposal (RFPs) with external providers and ensuring proper implementation of the selected solution. During my tenure as the head of asset servicing operations in Singapore, I dedicated a significant portion of my time to automating back-office processes using various technologies. I hope that my hands-on experience in the asset servicing industry, in operations and technology will bring valuable insights to both the team and our clients."

"At KPMG, I also contributed to strategic initiatives aimed at assisting financial institutions in reviewing their target operating models & boost profitability. This experience equips me with the tools necessary to assist in making informed decisions to enhance scalability and competitiveness of Depowise."

"I am joining a team already rich in both technological expertise and business acumen, with decades of collective experience gained from renowned institutions such as Bloomberg, Blackrock, MSCI,... I am confident that our competencies complement each other effectively. Together, I believe we will successfully achieve our ambitious targets."

How do you foresee the future of asset servicing evolving, especially with technologies like AI, and how is Depowise strategically leveraging these trends to stay ahead in the industry?

"The asset servicing industry is currently at a pivotal juncture: operations remain excessively manual and cumbersome, amplifying risks. Profit margins are dwindling, compelling stakeholders to streamline processes extensively due to heightened price competition. Moreover, there's a notable shift of investors towards alternative investments, which are becoming more accessible to private investors. However, these products are considerably more intricate to manage, exerting additional pressure on asset servicers to elevate their service standards."

"Undoubtedly, AI stands as a transformative force in this landscape. It's imperative that we collectively embrace these technologies as co-pilots in our daily operations. This isn't merely an evolution; it's a profound revolution that will reshape our lives fundamentally. Early adopters stand to gain a significant competitive edge. At Depowise, we are constantly exploring avenues to enrich our product with further AI capabilities while also leveraging these tools to enhance our operations, IT infrastructure, and sales strategies."

"Estonia, the birthplace of Depowise, is a great place for tech innovation thanks to its highly skilled IT workforce, tech-friendly culture, and vivid startup ecosystem. Our solution is crafted with state-of-the-art technologies, and I am confident in the proficiency of our team to continually adapt the product to meet evolving demands and technological advancements."

What is your vision for Depowise's growth and development in the coming years, and how do you plan to achieve this status amidst increasing competition in the FinTech industry?

"Depowise has already successfully persuaded top-tier asset servicers to adopt their solution and demonstrate impressive year-over-year growth. With very positive market feedback, our pipeline of promising prospects is stunning. Now, our focus shifts to scaling the business while fostering innovation."

"The keys to our success will be in my view to forge strategic partnerships, advance our AI capabilities, and maintain exceptional customer satisfaction. Depowise is not satisfied with playing in minor leagues; our vision is global, with aspirations to redefine asset servicing technology through cutting-edge innovation."

"I firmly believe in our potential to become the next unicorn, but it will demand meticulous strategy execution. We must expand geographically while continuously enhancing our product to encompass the entire asset servicing value chain. This journey requires us to be agile and visionary, ensuring we remain at the forefront of the industry."