Systems of Execution (SoE) in Investment Banking (IB) 

Investment banking enterprises face mounting pressure from volatile macroeconomic conditions, fee compression, disintermediation through special purpose acquisition companies and direct listings, and increasingly complex regulatory mandates such as Basel III/IV, MiFID II, and Dodd-Frank. Traditional human-led models, patchwork systems of record, and fragmented engagement layers constrain scalability, personalization, and responsiveness.
This Viewpoint introduces Systems of Execution (SoE) as intelligent, agent-driven layers that unify data, automate workflows, and enable real-time, autonomous execution across the investment banking value chain. SoE moves beyond static systems of record and engagement by embedding orchestration directly into high-stakes workflows, allowing investment banks to proactively adapt to regulatory shifts, market changes, and client demands.
The report details a phased adoption framework from agent-readable data fabric and embedded orchestration to oversight, governance, and scaled orchestration. It presents enterprise use cases where SoE can reduce friction in onboarding, KYC, suitability reviews, pitchbook preparation, and regulatory filings. A Bridgewater Associates case study illustrates how SoE-enabled orchestration, powered by Amazon Bedrock and Anthropic Claude, accelerated research workflows, compressed cycle times, and democratized access to insights across analyst teams.
The report concludes with a strategic roadmap that positions SoE as structural enablers of scale, compliance, and growth in capital markets. Investment banks adopting SoE can transition from fragmented operations to intelligent execution that reshapes how deals are sourced, structured, reviewed, and closed.