The concept of using event data for banking purposes has a long heritage. In the days before automation, a branch manager would often begin his day reviewing his customers' statements that were due to be posted out that day, looking for evidence of financial difficulties or business opportunities.

The introduction of large decision support databases and data warehouses in the 1980s and '90s and the development of sophisticated marketing solutions that exploited this technology led to a massive increase in the extent and complexity of event management in the banking industry.

Success has been achieved with event management in the marketing arena, and there has been a gradual realization that event management also has application in other areas of the bank.