Fighting Fraud: Network International and FICO Partnership

In the expansive domain of the Middle East and Africa's payment processing landscape, Network International holds a prominent position, boasting over 30 years of expertise across 50 countries. With a staggering 3 billion transactions processed annually, and credentials managed for 20 million cardholders, Network International's influence is profound. Now Network International has extended its use of FICO solutions to include fraud management.

A Strategic Collaboration to Meet New Challenges

FICO’s partnership with Network International plays a crucial role in this landscape as they have, for the past three years, integrated FICO’s market-leading FICO Falcon Fraud Manager solution into their platform to help their clients combat card-related fraud effectively. This partnership has proven successful in navigating the realm of digital transactions and e-commerce, where risk of fraudulent transactions  is on the rise.

The Middle East and Africa region is experiencing a digital shift; the transition from cash to cards and further to e-commerce has intensified the need for robust fraud prevention mechanisms and effective decisioning solutions. Like many financial institutions, Network International's banking clients are typically challenged with siloed systems — distinct platforms managing different decisions. This complexity prompted Network International to seek a comprehensive solution that transcends these silos.

FICO’s Decisioning-as-a-Service Provides a Paradigm Shift

FICO’s decisioning-as-a-service is a paradigm shift in addressing the fragmented landscape of decision-making platforms within banks and fintechs. These institutions often employ, for example, separate systems for credit decisions, marketing offers, and collections. FICO's approach consolidates these disparate workflows into a single platform, providing a unified perspective of the customer. This not only streamlines operations but also enhances the ability to analyse customer data holistically.

As this partnership has matured further, decisioning-as-a-service has emerged as a pivotal component. Larger clients, in particular, have expressed a keen interest in this unified data platform for various decisions such as risk scoring and collections. The ability to break down silos and offer a singular platform for diverse decisions adds significant value to Network International's financial institution partners. The recent World Retail Banking Report by Capgemini highlighted the fact that a siloed approach is preventing banks from fully leveraging customer data to increase customer engagement.

“When we talk to our partners, the biggest problem that they have is they have different systems using different technology. Now we’re able to combine workflows and rules and look at the customer holistically,” said Navneet Dave, Managing Director & Co-Head of Processing, Middle East, Network International.

The Case for Fighting Fraud

The partnership success story has extended further as Network International, equipped with FICO's solutions, has navigated the challenges presented by an increase in fraud, driven by the new digital landscape, to implement an enterprise-wide fraud solution. This solution, powered by an AI-based machine learning algorithm, extends beyond traditional card transactions and offers a holistic view of the customer, covering the full spectrum of banking products and channels.

This evolution to an enterprise-based approach has also opened up new business avenues for Network International. Traditionally focused on card payments, FICO's solution extends to new channels such as e-commerce and the increasing use of mobile phones and digital wallets. This expansion into previously uncharted territories represents not only new business opportunities but is also a testament to the adaptability and future-proof nature of FICO's solutions.

“Traditionally as a payment processor, we have been just focusing on card payments. Now, with FICO Enterprise, obviously the solution goes beyond card payments, it goes to other banking products,” said Navneet Dave.

In the complex landscape of digital payments, where fraudsters are continually devising new methods, FICO's artificial intelligence -based solution positions Network International on the frontlines of predictive prevention, with access to the Falcon Intelligence Network consortium score enhancing the value offered to financial institutions, enabling them to stay a step ahead in identifying and mitigating potential risks.

The Partnership Goes from Strength to Strength

The success of this collaboration is not just measured in technological achievements but also in the trust and satisfaction it instils in both Network International and its financial institution clients. FICO's transparency, support and expertise have contributed to the seamless integration of solutions, ensuring that consumers experience secure transactions and financial institutions witness a tangible reduction in fraud.

The partnership between Network International and FICO exemplifies not just a response to the current challenges but a forward-looking approach that addresses the dynamic landscape of digital payments in the Middle East and Africa. It underscores the power of collaboration in driving innovation and securing the future of financial transactions.

Learn More about Fighting Fraud with FICO

• To learn more about Network International’s partnership with FICO for enterprise fraud detection and prevention, see our in-depth case study.
• Read about Network International’s FICO Decision Award
• To learn more about partnership opportunities with FICO, please visit our website.
• Explore FICO’s fraud solutions