Uncertainty over revenue growth means that IT strategy and investment will remain influx in 2006. Downturn in mortgage origination, expansion of free checking, deposit growth and consumer credit slowdown, increased competition, pressure for higher interest bearing accounts and need to improve customer service are squeezing revenue growth

• This report analyses the opinions of over 100 leading US and Canadian retail banks conducted at the end of 2005 and the beginning of 2006
• It compares strategies, plans and priorities for technology strategy and investment between 2005 and 2006
• The report examines overall IT strategy and investment priorities
• The study highlights key IT spend areas such as: channel investment, compliance, core systems, payments and operations

Lower tier banks show positive growth over past years and bullish attitude towards future IT budgets, while upper tiers are reducing growth in 2006 however with positive outlook into 2007.

Bank Secrecy Act is currently the most important vendor's opportunity as fourth of the banking market is at planning stage. Basel II and FACT remain as future opportunity due to relatively less adoption by banks during 2005.

Offshoring wave has its momentum within tier 2 banks, and upper tier banks are best targets for offshore services providers. The largest banks are most advanced and stand for best practice for smaller counterparts. Worth noting flexibility and openness amongst the smallest banks.

• Understand rapidly changing trends in end-user opinion to determine your go to market strategy
• Use robust primary data of to plan 2006 strategy with confidence