Michael Araneta
Senior Research Manager, IT Benchmarking Advisory Service
IDC Financial Insights

Michael Araneta is a Senior Research Manager, IT Benchmarking Advisory Service for IDC Financial Insights Asia/Pacific. His role is to grow the IT Benchmarking practice in the Asia/Pacific region which undertakes continuous monitoring of the key IT infrastructure profile of the top banks in Asia representing a cross-section of countries in the region. He works closely with the IDC research teams and global account managers for consulting assignments and customized research. Araneta will also be responsible for the regional go-to-market strategies that will be applicable to both service providers as well as financial institutions.

Industry Expertise
Araneta brings very relevant skills developed from several years in research and consulting in and outside the financial services industry. He consults with clients on a range of competitive and strategic issues surrounding their businesses as they tackle the financial services industry in Asia. He has undertaken various studies covering market outlook, competitor analysis and best practices. He routinely presents to senior-level banking practitioners in briefings around the region. Araneta has been quoted regularly in various media such as Channel News Asia, Business Times, Straits Times, The Edge, The Star, Business Times of India, among others.

Background
Prior to joining Financial Insights, Araneta was a senior research analyst at a business intelligence company, where he looked at the competitive and strategic issues surrounding banks across Asia. He assisted banks and vendors on their research, analytics, and information needs to develop their strategies in their respective markets.

Araneta has also worked in a research house in the Philippines, covering the trade and industrial sector. Araneta’s training in international studies also saw him undertake a study on the spillover effects of multinational corporations to developing markets.

Education and Industry Affiliations
Araneta has a Bachelor in Quantitative Economics (first class honours) from the University of Asia and the Pacific in Manila. He holds a Master in International Studies degree from the National University of Singapore.