News
Project Fontus: The lack of a reliable timetable is putting a strain on participants!
On 27 October 2026, the previously announced meeting of the Fontus User Group organised by WM Datenservice took place. Expectations of receiving a robust timetable with a specific go-live date were not met.
Instead, to everyone’s surprise, a decision was taken in favour of a completely ‘new’ – and therefore revised – project direction.
Here, in brief, are the reasons behind this decision and the ‘new’ roadmap:
FONTUS REORIENTATION
Decision:
Following a half-yearly review and external validation, Fontus will in future rely on the new Fontus Execution Engine (FEE).
Reasons:
- Significantly better migration performance (27 million Business Transaction Objects in under 40 minutes instead of 6 hours)
- Greater suitability for the specific data model
- Additional capabilities such as AI services, data lineage and auditable processing
- The platform is designed to be vendor-independent; intellectual property remains with WM Datenservice.
Timetable:
- Development by Q3 2027, integration testing in Q4 2027, followed by UAT and bug fixing.
- The go-live date is still to be confirmed and is to be agreed with customers by Q3 2027.
- Easter 2028 is considered uncertain or even unlikely due to the desire for a four-day long weekend. Given the performance gains achieved with the FEE, an alternative date does not necessarily have to be a four-day long weekend, meaning that ‘normal’ weekends prior to Easter 2029 are also conceivable.
To enable this further postponement, the host has been upgraded to Z17 (memory increased by approx. 25 per cent). This will ensure that market supply can be maintained at a stable level during operational use until at least 2030.
Project status
The plan has been redrafted (bottom-up, over 4,000 line items). The specification is 71 per cent complete. AI-supported analyses have uncovered hidden rules in the host system. Confidence is higher, but the project will be more expensive and take longer. The shareholders of the WM Group have approved the additional budget.
Customers and Readiness
- All 120+ sources have been on-boarded. The integration onto the new platform is due to be completed in Q1.
- The more than 4,000 rules in the data model will be extracted by mid-2027.
- In 2027, customers will not need their own test budgets for WM Datenservice, but will need to make internal preparations.
- WM Datenservice will consult each customer individually regarding their readiness and, on this basis, jointly develop the test strategy and migration roadmap.
Next steps & conclusion
External milestones will be communicated by the end of the year. The platform will be demonstrated in summer 2027. WM Datenservice is offering one-to-one meetings and answering open chat enquiries.
Fontus is being fundamentally redesigned – with greater confidence in the technical solution, but without a binding go-live date and with higher budget requirements.
Stable operation during the transition phase is a priority.
According to Joachim Lauterbach, CEO of the WM Group, Fontus is guaranteed to be completed by 2027. The FEE is expected to be demonstrably operational as early as Q3 2027. WM Datenservice will have to be held to account by the Fontus User Group against these statements and milestones.
Further background information on Fontus articles can be found on our website.
concedro is happy to support you as your technical sparring partner, with in-depth knowledge of data requirements, field structures and D20 specifications – from analysis and planning through to implementation and testing. If you have any questions or require support at short notice, you can contact our team at hello@concedro.com.
ASSET-SERVICING KONFERENZ 2027
3. Juni 2027,
Düsseldorf Dialog. Perspektiven. Lösungen. – Second edition of the industry conference brings together leading decision-makers in institutional asset servicing
Düsseldorf, 9 October 2026 – Following the successful premiere last year, the Asset Servicing Conference (ASK) 2027 will return to Düsseldorf on 3 June 2027. The conference is organised by concedro GmbH.
Within a short period of time, the conference has established itself as an independent platform for dialogue between institutional investors, Master-KVGs, depositaries, banks, asset managers and other market participants.
The conference will focus on the current challenges and future developments shaping the asset servicing industry. Topics will include regulatory developments, digitalisation and artificial intelligence, process optimisation and efficiency improvements, technological innovation, as well as the increasing expectations of institutional investors regarding service quality and transparency.
“The asset servicing industry is undergoing a period of profound transformation. Our objective is to bring together leading market participants, foster open dialogue and jointly develop ideas and perspectives for the future,” says Jürgen Scharfenorth, Senior Advisor at concedro GmbH and organiser of the conference.
In 2027, participants can once again look forward to a high-quality programme featuring renowned keynote speakers, expert presentations and panel discussions. The Elevator Pitches, successfully introduced last year, will continue and provide Master-KVGs and depositaries with an opportunity to showcase their capabilities and innovative strength in concise presentations to a high-calibre professional audience.
A historic setting for industry dialogue
For the first time, the Asset Servicing Conference will take place at the Living Hotel De Medici, located in Düsseldorf’s historic Old Town. The listed building combines the history of a former monastery and aristocratic palace with modern hotel comfort and houses an impressive private art collection. This exceptional setting underlines the exclusive character of the event.
The conference will conclude with the Networking Dinner & Asset Servicing Award 2027 at the adjoining Brasserie Stadthaus. In an elegant setting, including its spacious terrace, participants will have the opportunity to strengthen existing relationships and establish new professional networks.
During the evening, outstanding personalities from the asset servicing industry will also be honoured with the Asset Servicing Award 2027.
DORA Management Seminar
As a member of Pensions-Akademie e.V., we support the professional exchange on this important regulatory framework by contributing our expertise and organising the seminar.
The seminar is designed for representatives of institutions for occupational retirement provision, professional pension schemes, insurance companies and corporates, as well as members of their supervisory boards.
Our DORA Management Seminar provides practical guidance on how to prepare effectively for a successful DORA audit and includes a recognised certificate of professional development for senior management.
Register now
Registration for the Asset Servicing Conference 2027 is now open. Secure your place today and look forward to a full day of high-level expert presentations, engaging discussions and exclusive networking opportunities, followed by the Networking Dinner & Asset Servicing Award 2027 in the unique surroundings of the Living Hotel De Medici in Düsseldorf.
2-in-1 in Düsseldorf
Asset Servicing Conference 2026 April 23, 2026
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DORA Management Seminar April 24, 2026 Düsseldorf – On April 23, 2026 (afternoon/evening), the Asset Servicing Conference 2026 will take place at the Meliá Düsseldorf, followed by the DORA Management Seminar on April 24, 2026 (morning).
ASSET-SERVICING CONFERENCE 2026
Under the guiding theme “Dialogue. Perspectives. Solutions.”, institutional investors, management companies (KVGs), depositaries and other market participants will discuss current market changes, new provider structures and strategic developments in asset servicing.
A key focus of the conference will be the Elevator Pitch sessions, in which leading management companies and depositaries present their service models and strategic approaches in a concise and structured format.
The program will be complemented by keynote speeches, specialist presentations and panel discussions that examine the market environment both from an investor’s perspective and from the service provider’s point of view.
The content focus ranges from market attractiveness and consolidation to selection criteria and future requirements in asset servicing – covering both the German and Luxembourg markets.
“Asset servicing is a central pillar of institutional asset management. The market is undergoing profound change, making transparency, exchange and comparability more important than ever,”
says Jürgen Scharfenorth, moderator of the conference. “With the Asset Servicing Conference, we create a platform that fosters dialogue, brings together perspectives and highlights concrete solutions.”
The event will conclude with an evening program including dinner and an award ceremony honoring individuals who have made a lasting impact on asset servicing.
To view the journal
DORA-MANAGEMENT SEMINAR – APRIL 24, 2026
As a member of the Pensions-Akademie e.V., we contribute our professional expertise and organize this seminar to promote technical exchange regarding this regulatory framework.
This seminar is designed for representatives of occupational pension schemes, professional pension institutions, insurance companies, corporates and their supervisory boards.
The DORA Management Seminar demonstrates how to optimally prepare for a successful DORA audit, including an officially recognized certificate of continuing education for senior management.
Infrastructure Investment Forum 2026 – Impulses for Germany as a Business Location
Many thanks to all participants of the Infrastructure Investment Forum in Fulda!
The day clearly demonstrated how important close cooperation between municipalities, energy utilities, institutional investors and the financial sector is for Germany’s future.
- Investments are location decisions
- Infrastructure requires strong partnerships
- Energy and transformation projects need reliable financing
- Practical case studies show: the capability to deliver is there
Particularly valuable: insights from ongoing projects – ranging from municipal energy initiatives to grid expansion and modernization.
At the same time, it also became clear: there ist still homework to do.
More efficient approvals, less bureaucracy, faster procedures and stronger political support remain key prerequisites to ensure that infrastructure and transformation projects can be implemented on time.
Conclusion: Germany has enormous potential. If we develop solutions together, accelerate processes and strengthen financing pathways, we will secure innovation, competitiveness and stable infrastructure for the years ahead.
Many thanks to all contributors, speakers and partners for a valuable exchange!
Save the date: Next Infrastructure Investment Forum on 29 October 2026 in Hamburg.
Organizer: panem AG – concedro GmbH
Zum Flyer
Article in IT-Finanzmagazin
IT-Finanzmagazin reports on T+1 – shortened settlement cycles in the financial sector, with a particular focus on securities trading.
To the complete article
Asset Servicing Forum 2025 (Sponsor & Speaker)
concedro GmbH participated as a sponsor and speaker at the Asset Servicing Forum 2025. The session was moderated by our colleague Jürgen Scharfenorth, and the presentation on cedroQuest – New Methods for Institutional Investor Selection Processes was delivered by Kathrin Sick and Klaus-Peter Keller.
At the concedro booth, interested participants could experience a live demo of InstiBase, presented by Martin Arnold. InstiBase is an integral part of the cedroQuest platform.
Annual Kick-Off Event of Pensions-Akademie
concedro thanks Pensions-Akademie e.V. for the successful “Annual Kick-Off Event on Occupational Pensions”held in Frankfurt’s New Old Town. Our expert Katrin Sick provided insights and shared lessons learned on selection processes for investors.
Bandsupporter Contest 2025 – concedro is official sponsor 2025
Bandsupporter has been supporting bands from the Rhine-Main-Neckar region since 2006 and sees itself as a “pre-label label”.
As a sponsor, concedro helps to ensure that artists and bands are not forgotten and remain motivated to achieve their musical dreams and goals, even in these challenging times.
For more information, see: Sponsor-Video
Concedro is starting cedroQuest
With the “cedroQuest” platform, concedro is expanding its offering for financial investors in collaboration with InstiBase. Together, they will support tendering processes in the areas of asset servicing, asset management and administration as well as due diligence and service provider benchmarking.
The new offering will be presented on February 13, 2025 at the Asset Servicing Forum of the Börsenzeitung.Interested customers can already obtain individual information now.
29th WM Customer Forum
concedro participated as a sponsor and exhibitor at the 29th Customer Forum of the WM Gruppe. The event provided exciting insights into current topics such as corporate values in times of change, sustainability, cryptocurrencies, and data management. Engaging conversations were held, and concedro’s solutions were showcased — with a particular focus on the topic of DORA.
The event offered an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas with industry experts and clients, and to gain valuable new impulses.
