Financial Services

Financial service providers need to compete in segments and niches that afford real growth in a difficult climate. Opportunities still abound in under-banked emerging markets, as well as in immature segments in more industrialized countries. Spire is poised to leverage our Asia-wide financial services experience to deliver research and consulting solutions that address these needs.

Our work in the financial services space has addressed products ranging from credit cards and unsecured consumer credit to insurance, SME banking, non-performing loans and debt securities.

Issues & Opportunities

Fuel Fleet Cards – Market Entry Study – Asia Pacific

The client was a leading independent provider of fuel fleet cards globally that had strong presence in US and Europe. It sold fuel card programs directly to commercial and government fleet operators as well as through partners, including major oil companies and card resellers. The client was seeking to expand its market by investing more focus in Asia.

The objective of the study was to understand the market potential of fuel cards in various markets in Asia Pacific namely, Japan, China, India, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. The company also wanted to identify suitable go-to-market strategies, general climate, entry barriers as well as the broad market opportunities.

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Unsecured Consumer Credit – Strategic Business Review for Consumer Credit Product in Singapore

A leading global financial services provider planned to introduce a new consumer credit offering in Singapore aimed at middle-income consumers, by leveraging on its previous success with a similar product aimed at a lower-income bracket.

The objective of the study was to determine the market potential and marketing strategy for the launch of the consumer credit product in Singapore, as well as how the new and earlier products ought to be differentiated.

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Renovation Loans – Strategic Research in Singapore

A Global Fortune 500 company involved in financial services, personal credit and insurance sought to introduce a new renovation loan offering in Singapore. Spire was tasked to test its product concept prior to the official launch.

The objectives of the study were to assess the potential for the new renovation loan product in Singapore, refine the intended customer value proposition and outline a suitable marketing strategy.

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Leasing – Strategic Research of Leasing Market In Aceh

The client is one of the largest multilateral sources of debt and equity financing companies for private enterprises in developing countries. It planned to promote private sector investment, so as to reduce poverty and recover the local economy in Aceh after the tsunami disaster in December 2004.

The objectives of the study were to assess demand size and characteristic of leasing market in Aceh as well as understand the behavior, needs and preferences of leasing customers (small and medium enterprises and large companies).

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Contactless Micro-payment Card – Concept and Market of Micropayment for E-commerce in Indonesia

One of the largest private banks in Indonesia was interested in understanding the knowledge about micropayment for e-commerce within and beyond Indonesia. In addition, the client wanted to know more about their product acceptance from their customers and merchants after the official launch.

The objective of the study was to understand the type of payment, especially micropayment, as well as the usage comparison and difference between internet users in Indonesia and abroad.

The client also wanted to:

  • Understand customer’s Usage Attitude Image (UAI) across five different segments
  • Gauge merchant satisfaction and awareness: With focus on reader existence, transaction capability, and usage barrier in merchants
  • Identify potential users and merchants by understanding how and where potential users spend their cash on daily basis

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Commercial Credit Card Solutions – New Product Concept Evaluation in Hong Kong

A leading financial services provider intended to launch a novel commercial transaction card targeted at the logistics sector in Hong Kong. It sought to assess the likely scale of market demand and potential customers’ receptiveness towards the offering.

The objective of the study was to assess the immediate and long-term potential for a business card targeted at Hong Kong’s logistics sector. This would allow the client to identify attractive SME customer segments, determine desirable product features and generate positive reception among customers.

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Outboard motor – Market entry study in Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam

A Japan-based Global Fortune 500 manufacturer sought to launch a new outboard motor engine product to replace crude multi-purpose engines adapted for use in unorganized fishing and passenger transport boats.

The objectives of the study was to develop market sizing, forecast, end-user purchasing evaluation, channel structure and competitor analysis (including products and pricing) for outboard motors.

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Automotive parts logistics – Market entry study for ASEAN distribution centre

A leading global motorcycle manufacturer in Japan sought to grow its aftermarket parts business in ASEAN by establishing a distribution centre within the region.

The objectives of the study were to:

  • Assess the feasibility of developing the ASEAN market for specific aftermarket parts, accessories and lubricant oil
  • Recommend the most suitable location for their ASEAN region distribution centre

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Car audio – Customer satisfaction study for standard car audio in Malaysia and Indonesia

A leading Japanese car audio manufacturer operating in Thailand sought to understand the satisfaction level of Malaysian and Indonesian car owners with their standard car audio products as well as consumer plans on car audio purchasing.

The objectives of the study were to understand customer satisfaction levels on standard car audio and obtain inputs from motorists regarding the ideal specifications of car audio.

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Automotive price tracking – Passenger car tire price tracking study in Singapore and Korea

A leading global manufacturer and distributor of rubber products saw a decline in sales of its passenger car tires in Singapore and Korea. An internal discussion led to the conclusion that pricing was the root of the problem – competitors were simply more aggressive in their pricing strategies.

To increase its market share, the client sought to benchmark the prices of its competitors’ products that were targeted at various customer segments in Singapore and Korea.

The objectives of the study were to understand how the competitors positioned their products in the relevant markets and devise a counter-strategy.

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Automotive – Mystery shopping study to evaluate service quality of sales force

An American multinational automaker in Vietnam, which owned one of the largest investment capital projects in the country, viewed customer service quality as a key performance metric. The client considered its dealers’ sale force as a key success factor in affecting this metric, and had been training Sale Consultants (SCs) at its dealers for years. As such, the client wanted to study the customer service quality and sales service quality of the dealers.

The objectives of the study were to:

  • Maintain customer service quality at high standards
  • Gain an understanding of customers’ assessment of the service quality and offer recommendations for improvement

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

Automotive parts logistics – Automotive supply chain management improvement consulting in Indonesia

A leading global motorcycle manufacturer in Japan intended to give a face-lift to its Indonesian arm’s supply chain management, so as to lower costs and increase customer satisfaction as well as scalability.

The objectives of the study were to:

  • Analyze the current supply chain
  • Benchmark against industry role models
  • Recommend a plan for improving efficiency

The objectives of the study were to

Analyze the current supply chain
Benchmark against industry role models
Recommend a plan for improving efficiency