Designing GCCs for the known unknowns

Banking in a World of Uncertainty

The only thing predictable about banking today is change.

From shifting regulations and evolving customer behaviour to emerging technologies and geopolitical pressures, banks must now build operating models that are flexible by design. That's where modern Global Capability Centers (GCCs) come in.

A well-structured GCC doesn’t just deliver scale and efficiency — it equips banks to navigate the “known unknowns”: the risks, demands, and disruptions they know could happen… but can’t always anticipate when or how.

This blog explores how to design a future-ready GCC — one that doesn’t just support your bank today, but helps it adapt, respond, and grow through uncertainty.

Why traditional GCC thinking falls short

Legacy GCC models were built for predictable environments: reduce costs, offshore functions, and deliver at scale.

But the realities of modern banking demand more:

· Regulatory changes (e.g., IFRS, FATF, SBP/SAMA/CBUAE directives)

· Expansion into new markets with unknown tax/KYC rules

· Cloud & digital adoption evolving faster than talent can keep up

· AI and compliance introduce new risk vectors and workflows

A modern GCC must be more than a fixed support unit — it should be a dynamic capability hub that helps banks flex, absorb, and respond.

Build flexibility into the foundation: GCC models that adapt

At Systems Limited, we offer three delivery models — each built for a different level of ownership and resilience:

· Offshore Development Center (ODC)

Ideal for: Long-term control, custom governance. Provides dedicated teams with full transparency and IP protection. Banks can rotate functions, expand rapidly, or embed change agents.

· SLA/KPI-Based Managed Services

Ideal for: Measurable delivery with lower operational complexity. Let us own outcomes while you focus on strategy. KPIs shift as priorities evolve.

· Centre of Excellence (CoE)

Ideal for: Driving innovation and continuous improvement CoEs in compliance, testing, AI/ML, or digital CX allow banks to stay ready for what’s next, not just support what’s now.

GCC design principles for the unknowns

To future-proof a GCC, banks should incorporate these design principles:

1. Modularity in teams & functions
 Agile squads that can pivot across domains (e.g., cloud to onboarding) as demands shift.

2. Built-in regulatory intelligence 
Pre-trained teams on SAMA, SBP, or ASEAN rules help you respond quickly to policy changes.

3. Secure, scalable infrastructure 
ISO-certified hubs with virtual desktops, access controls, and compliance-ready architecture.

4. Talent continuity planning 
Rotation models, CoE career paths, and shadow teams for resilience against attrition or demand spikes.

5. Outcome-aligned governance 
SLAs and KPIs that can evolve as business goals shift — not locked into static, outdated performance metrics.

Mistakes that limit future flexibility

· Over-optimisation for cost, not capability
A cheap GCC today could mean inflexible delivery tomorrow.

· Ignoring regulatory alignment at setup
It’s harder to retrofit compliance than to build it in.

· Treating the GCC as “outside the bank” 
Strategic integration — not segregation — is key to resilience.

The Systems Limited advantage: Resilience by design

With delivery hubs in Pakistan and Egypt, Systems Limited builds GCCs specifically for banking — secure, scalable, and ready to evolve.

We help banks across MENAP and ASEAN:

· Ramp up cross-functional squads in 7–15 days

· Implement SLA and CoE models that support business agility

· Pre-align talent with core banking platforms (e.g., Temenos), digital onboarding, AML/KYC, cloud and more

· Build GCCs that absorb disruption — and turn it into opportunity

Conclusion: Plan for change — not just for today

You may not know which regulation will change next. Or where your next market will be. Or which tech will reshape CX?

But your GCC can be ready — if it’s designed with adaptability at its core.

Download our whitepaper for a complete blueprint on building transformation-ready GCCs. Or contact our team to explore a setup designed for change.