SUCCESS STORY
€35M delivered – on track for €50M
Global Bank:
Cost Optimisation Strategy & Execution
Delivering sustainable impact across a €1.2Bn spend portfolio
Outcomes
€50M Target on track
Delivered €35M to the bottom line in 12 months. Established programme to deliver full target over 3 years
Validated Pipeline
Over 200 opportunities identified, refined to 50 validated projects
Sustainable Impact
Structured handover and upskilling enabled continued delivery after year one
Cross-functional collaboration
Opportunities identified across marketing, facilities, HR, operations and technology
BACKGROUND
A global bank serving over 37 million customers and corporate clients across 40 countries launched a major transformation initiative to strengthen business performance across its European markets.
the challenge
With a €1.2 billion portfolio of spend, the bank needed a structured, transparent approach to identify, validate and deliver cost optimisation opportunities across multiple business functions. Achieving this required both rigorous governance and the ability to mobilise internal and external teams quickly—without disrupting operations or service quality.
SOLUTION
4C led the overall programme design and delivery, working closely with the client’s leadership and cross-functional teams to embed governance, control and accountability.
- Delivered programme and change management expertise supported by robust governance and reporting
- Conducted a structured review to identify over 200 potential optimisation projects, validated and refined to 50 for implementation
- Developed detailed project charters and validated plans using internal and external benchmarks
- Coordinated opportunity delivery across marketing, facilities management, operations, HR, and technology
- Through workshops, structured oversight and regular reviews, the bank gained clarity, prioritisation, and measurable savings progress