The distribution agreement covers FICO's decision management solutions and custom analytics in combination with Bull's technology and systems integration services.

Under this agreement, Bull and FICO will define and market joint solutions in Latin America. The two companies' complementary expertise will enable them to deliver technology solutions that optimise business processes and decision management for clients, principally in the financial services and insurance.

Both companies have been expanding their operations in Latin America. FICO's regional operations are based in Brazil, with clients in more than 13 countries, including Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. Bull, with its Latin America operations based in São Paulo, Brazil, has particular strength in financial services, with the top 10 Brazilian banks as clients. The global IT giant also has an established presence in Argentina and Uruguay, and is entering new markets in Chile, Peru, Colombia and Mexico.

"Partnerships are essential to our growth strategy in Latin America" said Andreas Suma, Senior Director for FICO, who oversees FICO's operations in Latin America from the company's São Paulo office. "Having Bull as a partner - a world-class systems integrator with significant experience in the sectors we serve - means we can offer clients a faster and more expansive path to adopting technology for risk management, fraud detection, business rules management and more."

"Combining the full FICO solution set with our know-how in consulting services and wide-ranging capabilities gives us a more powerful and broader value proposition for clients operating in Latin America," said Eraldo da Silveira, Bull's Financial Services Head for Latin America. "Together we can help companies accelerate the integration of advanced analytics and decision management solutions into their operations."