Absa replaces manual credit risk scripts with SAS Viya on AWS, cutting reporting cycles by 80-90% from weeks to hours. Model introduction time halved.
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Absa Bank has deployed a new credit risk management platform from SAS, replacing an older framework that relied on manual scripts and separate processes.
The new platform, built on SAS Viya and hosted on Amazon Web Services, shortened the bank's reporting cycles by 80% to 90%, reducing turnaround times from weeks to hours, the vendor said. It also cut the time needed to introduce new models by half.
Absa uses more than 500 credit risk models in its retail business. Slower monitoring could affect capital reserves and compliance, the bank said.
Stu Bradley, SAS senior vice president for risk, fraud and compliance solutions, said the adoption transformed model risk management from a back-office function into a forward-looking strategic advantage. "The focus on governance is helping streamline AI innovation, and this evolution enables faster, more reliable credit decisions, improves loss predictability and strengthens regulatory compliance for Absa," he said.
SAS said employees previously occupied with manual tasks have been moved to other work. Computing capacity can now be adjusted according to demand rather than maintained at fixed levels.
To support the change, Absa created a centre of excellence and worked with SAS to redevelop its framework. The system includes common reports and dashboards, with automated processes to lower manual intervention. It also provides real-time information for business and regulatory users.
The Insights function in SAS Viya provides recommendations for further optimisation, the vendor said.
Dewald Fourie, Absa modelling data scientist, said: "Model monitoring is a vital part of our model governance. Previously, analysts spent up to four weeks generating a single report. Now, with SAS Viya on AWS, we've automated the process and shifted our focus to strategic analysis and innovation."
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