KBC Group extends partnership with Cognizant to boost IT services until 2027

KBC Group has renewed its strategic partnership with Cognizant, extending their collaboration until 2027. This renewed agreement highlights both companies’ commitment to driving digital transformation, enhancing operational efficiency, and prioritising customer experience improvement across KBC Group’s key European markets. Cognizant will continue to play an integral role in delivering a comprehensive range of IT services, including application development, data management, infrastructure support, and quality engineering. This extended collaboration solidifies Cognizant’s position as a key partner in KBC Group’s evolving technology and business transformation journey.

The partnership, which has thrived for over a decade, reflects a relationship built on mutual trust, consistent performance, and shared growth objectives. As the financial services industry faces rapid technological advancements and increasing customer expectations, this renewed alliance positions KBC Group to stay competitive by delivering seamless, innovative, and tech-driven financial solutions to its growing customer base.

Why did KBC Group renew its partnership with Cognizant?

The decision to renew its partnership with Cognizant aligns with KBC Group’s strategic focus on maintaining operational excellence, advancing digital capabilities, and strengthening customer engagement. Over the past 11 years, Cognizant has proven to be a valuable partner, supporting KBC Group’s IT infrastructure with high-quality solutions that enhance performance, optimise costs, and foster innovation. This long-standing relationship has enabled KBC Group to streamline its operations, modernise its technology stack, and deliver superior services to its clients across Europe.

Isabel Van Mele, Chief Information Officer of KBC Bank & Insurance, underscored the importance of Cognizant’s role in KBC’s ongoing digital transformation. According to Van Mele, the renewed agreement is not just a continuation but an evolution of the partnership, reflecting the growing demands of the financial sector’s digital landscape. She noted that Cognizant IT services have been instrumental in ensuring KBC’s technological stability while supporting its ambition to innovate and improve customer experiences. Van Mele highlighted that the focus on cost-effectiveness, operational resilience, and technological excellence made Cognizant the ideal partner to help KBC Group achieve its strategic objectives.

“Our renewed agreement with Cognizant is built on a foundation of trust and proven success,” said Van Mele. “Cognizant’s deep expertise in IT services has consistently delivered value, aligning with our goals of maintaining operational excellence, fostering innovation, and enhancing customer satisfaction. This partnership enables us to respond effectively to evolving market demands while optimising our IT infrastructure for the future.”

How will Cognizant support KBC Group’s IT transformation?

With the renewed agreement, Cognizant will continue to play a pivotal role in KBC Group’s IT and business transformation efforts until 2027. The focus will be on expanding the scope of services to support KBC’s growth ambitions, drive innovation, and ensure technological resilience. Cognizant’s expertise in application development will help KBC Group maintain agile and secure digital platforms that respond to the dynamic needs of its customers. Additionally, its data services will enhance KBC’s ability to leverage data-driven insights, supporting smarter decision-making and operational efficiency.

Infrastructure management will remain a key area of focus, with Cognizant ensuring that KBC’s IT systems are robust, scalable, and capable of supporting the organisation’s expanding digital ecosystem. Quality engineering will also play a critical role, as Cognizant works to maintain the reliability, security, and performance of KBC’s digital services through rigorous testing and continuous improvement processes.

Geert Lejon, Country Manager for Belgium and Luxembourg at Cognizant, expressed pride in the extended partnership, emphasising the strong collaboration between the two organisations over the past decade. Lejon noted that Cognizant’s extensive experience in delivering tailored IT solutions has been instrumental in helping KBC Group achieve its business goals. He added that the renewed partnership reflects a shared commitment to driving innovation, enhancing operational efficiency, and delivering exceptional customer experiences.

“We are honoured to continue our collaboration with KBC Group,” said Lejon. “Our team is dedicated to supporting KBC’s growth through innovative IT solutions that enhance business performance and customer satisfaction. This partnership renewal reaffirms our commitment to helping KBC Group navigate the evolving digital landscape and achieve its long-term strategic objectives.”

What does this mean for KBC Group’s customers and markets?

For KBC Group’s customers, the renewed partnership with Cognizant promises an enhanced digital banking and insurance experience. With a customer base of around 13 million across Belgium, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Slovakia, KBC Group aims to deliver more personalised, efficient, and secure financial services. The collaboration with Cognizant will enable KBC to improve its digital platforms, ensuring faster response times, greater service reliability, and enhanced data security.

KBC Group’s strong presence in Europe, supported by a workforce of approximately 41,000 employees, positions it as a leading multi-channel bank-insurer focused on retail clients, small and medium-sized enterprises, and mid-cap companies. The renewed partnership reflects KBC’s broader strategy to invest in digital transformation and technological innovation as key drivers of growth. By leveraging Cognizant IT services, KBC Group aims to strengthen its competitive edge in the financial services sector, optimise operational costs, and deliver cutting-edge solutions tailored to the evolving needs of its customers.

This renewed collaboration is more than just a technology agreement; it represents a strategic alliance focused on long-term growth, resilience, and innovation. As financial institutions face increasing challenges related to cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and technological disruption, KBC Group’s partnership with Cognizant will be instrumental in addressing these challenges while unlocking new opportunities for digital transformation.

How does this partnership position KBC Group for future growth?

KBC Group’s decision to renew its partnership with Cognizant is a strategic move designed to future-proof its operations in an era defined by rapid technological change. The financial sector is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics. Cognizant’s expertise in these areas will help KBC Group harness the power of emerging technologies to improve operational efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and support data-driven decision-making.

By focusing on customer experience improvement, KBC Group aims to build stronger relationships with its clients, offering personalised services that meet the demands of today’s digital-savvy consumers. The partnership will also support KBC’s efforts to streamline its internal processes, reduce operational costs, and maintain compliance with evolving regulatory requirements across its core markets.

Ultimately, the renewed collaboration between KBC Group and Cognizant reflects a shared vision for the future—one where technology, innovation, and customer-centricity drive sustainable growth and long-term success in the competitive financial landscape.