The billion dollar financial services industry is plagued by data inconsistencies that can easily hamper business efficiencies and conduct if not dealt with and controlled. Mergers and acquisitions, work with international subsidiaries, and partnership agreements are just some of the business areas directly impacted by a data inconsistent environment.

Some examples of how financial services firms are using the Unicorn System include:

• tracking data change
• fulfilling internal governance requirements
• meeting Sarbanes-Oxley regulations (corporate governance regulations)
• conforming with BASEL II requirements (align and measure credit risk and operational risk)
• meeting Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act standards (privacy of consumers' financial information)

By leveraging economies of scale with regard to its Information Model and the emphasis on reuse, the Unicorn System enables programmers, business users, financial analysts, and others to reference a single agreed-upon model reflecting business reality. Updated in one central location by a core team and published as frequently as desired to a wider audience, the Information Model forms the hub of a semantically consistent framework. Misunderstandings over data terminology and work disruption resulting from an inability to compare different data formats and structures can be overcome with a surprisingly small amount of pain.

Information Models produce strategic value for financial services firms intent on understanding customer data, meeting government regulations, and savings clients money. Seemingly worrisome business situations such as the introduction of new data formats and integration both within enterprises and across companies are quickly overcome with the Unicorn System.