Nomura Research Institute, Ltd. (NRI), a leading provider of consulting services and system solutions, today announced that the company ranked No. 9 in IDC's 2018 Financial Insights FinTech Rankings. This ranking marks the ninth consecutive year that NRI has been named a top 10 global financial technology firm by IDC Financial Insights.

In 2017 through 2018, NRI underwent multiple successful proof-of-concepts (POCs) that focused on using artificial intelligence (AI) and voice recognition solutions to optimize business processes. NRI collaborated with Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd. (NAM), one of Japan's leading investment managers, to conduct a POC that would increase portfolio managers’ decision-making accuracy.

NRI continued its stream of innovative AI investments with the launch of TRAINA VOICE Digest. NRI’s TRAINA solution uses AI capabilities to read procedure manuals and correspondence records to navigate staff through the inquiry process to reach to the best correspondence.

“We are honored to be included on the IDC Rankings list for the ninth consecutive year,” says Shigeki Hayashi, Senior Corporate Managing Director of NRI. “The past year has been transformative for NRI, as well as for the industry. NRI plans to continue to focus on operational process reforms within financial institutions, opening the door for new business opportunities as digital innovation and transformation continue to evolve.”

The IDC FinTech Rankings, one of the most prominent rankings for technology vendors in the financial services industry, categorize and evaluate technology providers based on calendar year revenues from financial institutions for hardware, software, and/or services.

The annual IDC Financial Insights FinTech Rankings has become an important measure of the health and direction of technology in the industry and the emergence of innovative solutions from new players. In addition, the IDC Financial Insights FinTech Rankings serve as a critical tool for financial services institutions to use during strategic planning and to review in considering new investments in 3rd party solutions.