The Credit Risk Management department at the bank is centralising its data and will be using SPSS for the majority of its analytics reducing its reliance on SAS.

The SPSS "point and click" front end will reduce the need for time consuming programming allowing the department to focus on its key objective of managing credit risk for the bank.

"Extracting key information quickly from our data is vital to the risk management activities of the department," said Simon Baum, director of credit and risk at Alliance and Leicester. "Using SPSS means we will be able to move towards standardised analysis, giving the most accurate view of information, and being best placed to make well informed decisions."

He added: "SPSS has worked with us to demonstrate that its technology is an appropriate tool for our needs in terms of both functionality and cost."

"It's great to see such a major industry player recognise the value SPSS can add to their organisation – we expect to see some excellent results," said Adrian Carr, vice-president, EMEA sales at SPSS UK.