CCI Group Expands ‘BankWill’ Core Banking System with AWS Integration and Flexible Licensing
CC Innovation, a subsidiary of the newly rebranded CCI Group, announced a significant strategic expansion for its upcoming next-generation core banking system, "BankWill." Slated for launch in January 2027, the platform will now incorporate Amazon Web Services (AWS) into its multi-cloud infrastructure and introduce flexible purchasing models, stepping away from its original strict Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) framework.
The move is designed to address the diverse management challenges, IT strategies, and operational needs of Japan's regional financial institutions.
A Tri-Cloud Infrastructure Strategy
Originally billed as Japan’s first multi-cloud core banking architecture utilizing Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, BankWill is now adding AWS to its roster. This creates a robust, three-pronged "mega-cloud" offering.
By integrating AWS, CC Innovation aims to increase system availability, scalability, and resilience. The expanded options allow regional banks to select a cloud environment that best aligns with their existing IT frameworks and corporate cloud policies.
"We are thrilled to add AWS technologies to our options to help enhance the competitiveness of regional financial institutions," said Shuji Tsuemura, President of CCI Group. "This initiative enables our clients to select the optimal cloud environment based on their individual business strategies and current system conditions. Through our collaboration with AWS, we will continue to drive system infrastructure that combines even greater reliability and flexibility."
Norihisa Tsuruta, Managing Executive Officer and Head of the Financial Services Division at AWS Japan, emphasized the platform's readiness for high-stakes financial operations. "Mission-critical systems for financial institutions require high reliability, availability, scalability, and advanced support," Tsuruta noted. "AWS brings a proven global track record of supporting core banking systems, and we are committed to fully backing CC Innovation and the financial institutions utilizing their services."
Strategic Pivot in Sales and Deployment Models
In a notable shift in market strategy, CC Innovation is abandoning its previous plan to offer BankWill exclusively as a "non-customized SaaS" product. Recognizing the diverse system replacement timelines and operational structures among regional banks, the company is introducing two new delivery methods:
- Bespoke Customization: While maintaining overall system optimization and future maintainability, BankWill will now accommodate tailored customizations to meet specific institutional requirements. This development and operation process will include collaboration with partner firms.
- Outright Purchase (Perpetual License): For banks that prefer self-managed operations or require highly specific system architectures, CC Innovation will now offer full or partial outright sales of the system.
This diversification provides regional banks with enhanced flexibility regarding their cloud adoption strategies, cost structures, and operational frameworks, making BankWill a more viable option for a wider array of institutions.
Norbert Gehrke
