Market Trends of Global E-Signature Platform Industry
BFSI Holds Major Share
- The BFSI sector is one of the most significant users of e-signature platforms. These platforms are crucial for processing contracts and loan agreements, onboarding new customers, and handling financial transactions securely and efficiently, complying with strict regulatory standards.
- Electronic signatures streamline document processing and transactions, benefiting customers and bankers in areas including loan approvals and account openings. Furthermore, the rise of self-service and online-assisted banking portals is leveraging E-signature platforms. This automation accelerates agreements in digital lending, microfinance, SME lending, gold loans, and two-wheeler loans, further propelling the growth of the market.
- Banks and insurance companies worldwide accelerated account openings for corporate and institutional clients by introducing a digital signature through E-signature, digitizing account openings, and document signings, significantly reducing costs and processing times. The advantages of E-signatures include a considerable percentage reduction in the overall operating costs associated with opening bank accounts and a reduction in the quantum of paper formalities.
- The suggested technology can enhance customer engagement, minimizing time and work efforts. E-signature allows banking and financial service firms to process paperwork entirely online and take their attention off paperwork and operational tasks, which helps identify new opportunities and serve clients better. Moreover, they are used for the online onboarding of new customers, which helps maintain customer satisfaction.
- Insurance companies and banks are implementing e-signature platforms to support their digitalization growth while following the data security protocols for legal and regulatory requirements, showing the growth potential of the market.
- For instance, in June 2024, Eurolife, a Cyprus-based life and health insurance provider, collaborated with Genikes Insurance, a player in the country's general insurance sector, to form a five-year strategic partnership with Printec. This collaboration would introduce electronic signatures to both insurance firms. With this initiative, Eurolife and Genikes Insurance would access services by Printec tailored for electronic identification and document signing requirements, ensuring their customers receive advanced digital services.
Asia Pacific to Register Major Growth
- China implements a unique tiered electronic signature law, setting it apart from other nations that adopt either permissive/minimalist or prescriptive electronic signature regulations. This two-tiered approach not only recognizes both digital and electronic signatures but also legitimizes virtual signatures.
- China's legal framework diverges from the tiered model, recognizing Qualified Electronic Signatures as valid E-signatures. Unlike other jurisdictions, China imposes no specific conditions on types of electronic signatures. According to Chinese PRC law, a traditional signature isn't a prerequisite for a contract's credibility. As long as legally competent individuals reach an agreement, be it verbally, electronically, or through a physical signature, the contract holds validity. The E-signature Law further asserts that contracts cannot be dismissed solely on the basis of being electronic. However, under Chinese law, these contracts face scrutiny and might require additional evidence for court validation.
- The Japanese law equates certificate-based digital signatures with other electronic signatures in terms of admissibility and enforceability. This equivalence opens up lucrative avenues for market vendors. However, the E-signature Act delineates specific authentication service mandates, underscoring the significance of authorized service providers and the Japanese public key infrastructure.
- In a bid to enhance their offerings and draw in more customers, numerous market players in the country are increasingly turning to strategic mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships. For instance, in January 2024, Hancom Inc., a South Korean developer of office suite software, announced its acquisition of Clipsoft, a local firm specializing in B2B digital document production. The financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed. Clipsoft specializes in electronic reporting and document formatting solutions. Its software suite, which features an E-signature system, caters to a diverse clientele, including corporations, hospitals, universities, and government entities. While primarily serving the domestic market.