Ethos: How FIS is Tackling Financial Data Fragmentation

The Problem Most Banks Won’t Talk About

Financial institutions today are drowning in data—but it’s scattered everywhere. Credit data lives in one system, fraud detection in another, core banking in a third. This fragmentation doesn’t just create operational headaches; it costs money, slows down decision-making, and leaves institutions vulnerable to compliance failures. FIS recognized this pain point and built something to fix it.

Introducing Ethos: A Unified Data Ecosystem

FIS has unveiled Ethos, a data ecosystem designed to pull together disparate data sources across an entire financial operation. Rather than requiring teams to juggle multiple platforms, Ethos delivers a single point of access where institutions can view and analyze data from credit, debit, fraud, core banking, and loyalty channels through one integrated interface.

The platform’s core promise is straightforward: consolidated data leads to better insights, faster decisions, and lower operational costs. Bob Legters, Chief Data Officer at FIS, framed it this way: “Our goal is to turn data into actionable intelligence. Real-time data feeds combined with advanced analytics mean institutions don’t just improve risk assessment and reporting—they also reduce overhead and streamline critical processes.”

Two Standout Tools Within Ethos

FIS is launching Ethos with two key capabilities already built in:

CECL View handles a specific but critical regulatory challenge. Banks must now forecast credit losses over the lifetime of loans and account for them upfront—a requirement that’s complex and resource-intensive. Ethos CECL View automates this predictive modeling, offering compliance assurance without the operational burden. For institutions grappling with volatile market conditions, this capability is particularly valuable.

Tax Intelligence streamlines loan underwriting by providing real-time tax record access, income verification, and IRS status checks. What previously required days of back-and-forth now happens through an intuitive portal, giving underwriters a clearer picture of applicant risk in real time.

Why This Matters Now

Data-driven institutions outperform their competitors. But they need infrastructure that actually works at scale. Ethos positions FIS as a provider that understands banks aren’t looking for flashy features—they’re looking for efficiency, compliance, and reliable intelligence. In an environment where operational costs and risk management define competitive advantage, that’s exactly what financial institutions need.