Topics
How can financial institutions adapt and succeed amidst geopolitical conflicts and deglobalization?
How should leaders view the technologies like generative AI, Internet of Things, Web 3.0, metaverse
A management perspective on cyber threats and the risks FIs face in the digital world
How will bank business models and working modalities change due to digitalisation and competition from non-bank financial institutions?
Financial Technology Innovation Conference
Registration & Morning Networking
Welcome note
- Alain Chevalier, Chairman, Future of Finance Summit Advisory Council
- Chartsiri Sophonpanich, Board Member, Thai Bankers’ Association; President, Bangkok Bank
Opening Remarks
- Emmanuel Daniel, Founder, The Asian Banker
International Keynote
Banking in the age of disruption: Navigating technological, economic and regulatory challenges by Sir Howard Davies, Chairman, NatWest Group and Chairman, International Advisory Council, China Securities Regulatory Commission. As the first Chairman of the UK's Financial Services Authority, he was responsible for merging nine independent agencies to create a single regulatory body. He also served as the Deputy Governor of the Bank of England. In his upcoming discussion, he will share his views on the future of finance in an increasingly digital world, the turbulence caused by geopolitical conflicts and deglobalization, as well as the threats posed by climate change to global economic growth and the world order.
Leadership dialogue
The rise and fall: Substituting traditional finance with DeFi
- What are the challenges and risks tackled by the intersection of DeFi and traditional banking?
- Explainable AI (XAI) in banking for building trust, complying with regulations, and ensuring ethical use
- Lessons learned, regulatory response, and measures taken to address the fallout of banks in the US
- What will happen in the next financial crisis? Will it be more digital? More networked?
Panellists include:
- Theo Priestley, Global technology futurist and Author of “The Future Starts Now”. He’s listed as a Top 100 global technology influencer and thought leader on the Fintech, IoT, AI, Web3, metaverse and blockchain multiple years in a row.
- Barney Frank, former Congressman and Chair, House Financial Services Committee, US Congress; co-author of the Dodd-Frank Act 2011 which promulgated to resolve the issues arising from the 2008 crisis. Recently he was the director at Signature Bank. His presence presents an opportunity to discuss the important developments taking place in the US banking industry today, including the dramatic closure of Silicon Valley Bank and other crypto-related institutions.
Session co-hosted by Gordian Gaeta, Future of Finance Summit Advisory Council and Emmanuel Daniel, Founder, The Asian Banker
Tea/Coffee break
Panel Discussion
Breaking Barriers, Building Connections: Delivering hyper-personalisation era of digital banking
The increased competition from alternative financial services providers is pushing banks to improve digital footprint and enhance user experience, by upgrading their technology stack to deliver personalised digital engagement.
- Is your institution investing in the right technology infrastructure to digitally transform and gain market share?
- AI and machine learning (ML) in ‘new-age banking’ for personalisation and customer centricity
- Collaboration and culture shift to meet customers’ needs
- How AI applications like ChatGPT will become the next disruption in the financial services industry?
Panellists include:
- Thadpong Pongthawornkamol, Managing Director, KASIKORN Business Technology Group (KBTG)
- Arvid Swartsenburg, Head of Digital Strategy & Transformation, TMRW Digital Group, UOB
- David Jimenez Maireles, Chief Experience Officer and Deputy CEO, TNEX
- Kanishk Upadhyay, EVP, Head Liabilities, Cards and Payments, Techcombank
Session host:
Wilson Chia, International Resource Director, The Asian Banker
Keynote speech:
Presentation by Theo Priestley, Global Technology Futurist; Author of “The Future Starts Now”, on “The Convergence of Web3, Metaverse, and AI”
Fintech has witnessed the rapid emergence of various technologies that have had a significant impact on the industry. However, despite often being perceived as separate trends, these technologies are interconnected. In this session, Theo Priestley will discuss how Web3, the Metaverse, and now Artificial Intelligence should not be seen as separate strategies but as convergent ones.
Session host:
Neeti Aggarwal, Senior Research and Consulting Manager, The Asian Banker
Networking Luncheon
Keynote speech:
Presentation by Barbaros Uygun, Chief Executive Officer, Mox Bank on “Measuring the Success of a Digital Banking Strategy”
Session host:
David Gyori, International Resource Director, The Asian Banker
Panel Discussion
Scaling up Business Insights: How AI unleashes the power of data
The reliance on 5G network, and interconnected devices is generating a vast amount of data. If managed properly, banks can use this for real-time insights in decision-making. However, issues in data governance and data engineering create a gap in data availability, usability and integrity, thus giving rise to AI-driven analytics.
- Creating a data-driven culture through embedding data analytics, AI and ML
- Key challenges in structuring and utilising distributed and siloed data
- Building data capabilities through implementing data governance and investing in data architecture
- Advanced analytics capabilities empowered by AI for process automation and operational efficiency
Panellists include:
- Chalee Asavathiratham, SEVP - Chief Digital Officer, Siam Commercial Bank
- Johnson Poh, Chief Data Officer, VPBank
- Chin Yi Shuen, Director Global Strategy and Solutions, APJ, Pure Storage
Session host:
David Gyori, International Resource Director, The Asian Banker
Keynote speech:
Presentation by Kumardev Chatterjee, Metaverse Mastermind, Technology Thought Leader; Member, INTERPOL Expert Group on "From Virtual to Real: Exploring the Evolving Landscape of Virtual Economies and Digital Assets"
Session host:
Neeti Aggarwal, Senior Research and Consulting Manager, The Asian Banker
Panel Discussion
Unlocking the Future of Finance: How open banking API drive digital transformation
The open banking approach continues to gain favour in 2023. Banks are developing scalable API capabilities to increase revenue streams and develop customer-centric products and services. However, the risks tied to sharing data with third parties remain a challenge for traditional players. In this session, incumbents will discuss the use of advanced security measures and digital tools to prevent security breaches.
- The adoption of closed or hybrid API for data security
- Partnering with fintechs to provide an omnichannel banking experience
- Developing an integrated ecosystem for service expansion
- Applied AI and ML for real-time customer insights
Panellists include:
- Sam Tanskul, Managing Director, Krungsri Finnovate
- Axel Winter, Technology Leader; former Global Head of Enterprise Architecture & Technology Strategy, Standard Chartered Bank
Session host:
David Gyori, International Resource Director, The Asian Banker
Networking Break
Closing Keynote
Connecting the Dots: Exploring the intersection of Metaverse and digital finance
Let’s reimagine the future of finance in the age of metaverse and NFTs. What will the future look like? Does your digital transformation vision include tapping into the 3D virtual space?
- Redefining financial services and personalised experience via VR/AR
- Are you ready to respond to customers in a virtual world?
- What will virtual branches look like in metaverse?
- How to stimulate the virtual economy and connect it with the real economy
- The future of NFTs, digital assets and the ‘bank of the metaverse’
Panellists include:
- Kumardev Chatterjee, Metaverse Mastermind, Technology Thought; Member, INTERPOL Expert Group
- Jirayut Srupsrisopa, Founder and Group CEO, Bitkub
- Ying Zhong Ng, VP Products, Cake Group
Session host:
Foo Boon Ping, President and Managing Editor, The Asian Banker
Closing Remarks
Financial Technology Innovation
Registration and Morning Networking
Panel Discussion
Breaking Boundaries: Redefining the way we pay in a digital world
Innovation in the payments industry will continue to evolve, powered by digitisation and strong customer demand. The real-time payment market will expand further as new payment rails enable real-time transactions. ISO 20022 is enhancing security and compliance in addition to data standardisation and interoperability. Moreover, embedded payments and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) will continue to flourish with the growing use of e-commerce.
- Embedded payments/finance, cross-border e-commerce and BNPL to fulfil customer needs
- The need to build a digital identity ecosystem for inclusivity, safety, and sustainability
- Will CBDCs disrupt the traditional banking model and impact banks’ profitability?
- Super apps for a seamless and effortless user experience—where do banks stand?
Panellists include:
- Henry Aguda, President & CEO, UnionDigital Bank
- Takeshi Kito, Vice-chair, Fintech Association of Japan and Committee Member, Government of Japan's Regulatory Sandbox
- Kanishk Upadhyay, EVP, Head Liabilities, Cards and Payments, Techcombank
- Sundeep Rawal, Senior Director Asia Pacific, Euronet
Session host:
David Gyori, International Resource Director, The Asian Banker
Data and AI Disruption: Revolutionizing the Future of Digital Finance
The financial services industry is experiencing a ground-breaking digital transformation. Yet, as financial technologies continue to develop, it’s becoming harder to harness the large volumes of data being produced to enable better customer experiences and boost the bottom line. As a financial institution, leveraging the wealth of your data means first breaking down silos and allowing for enterprise-wide access. You need to store data cost-effectively and efficiently while ensuring security and compliance.
Presentation by Yi Shuen Chin, Director, Global Strategy and Solutions, APJ, Pure Storage
Rethinking core technology architecture towards the future
Banks are rethinking their core and backend technology architecture to meet the changing needs of their customers and stay competitive. FIs are turning to microservices to deploy new services faster. Moreover, they are shifting apps to the cloud, and implementing API frameworks. In this session, we will discover future opportunities and understand how to overcome challenges in implementing core and backend technology architecture.
Presentation by Colin Dinn, Chief Information and Digital Officer, Vietcombank
Session host:
Neeti Aggarwal, Senior Research and Consulting Manager, The Asian Banker
Modernizing Payment Systems: Unlocking Business Value in the Digital Banking Era
Modernizing payment systems opens doors to various opportunities. Legacy systems escalate costs, undermine long-term efficacy, and pose security and systemic risks, hindering customer-centric business. Through modernization, organizations gain access to heightened business flexibility, enabling them to achieve phenomenal agility in executing client-oriented go-to-market strategies. This transformation is accompanied by enhanced security measures and a material cost advantage, which contributes to long-term economic growth.
Presentation by Sundeep Rawal, Senior Director Asia Pacific, Euronet
Tea / Coffee Break
Panel Discussion
Securing the Future: Strengthening cyber defenses in the hybrid landscape
Winning the customer in the digital age is not easy. Customers demand more digital solutions but they also have other considerations, from personalisation to security around their financial data. Heightened threats of cyberattacks cause FIs to implement stringent measures to mitigate security breaches. Banks must build robust frameworks to fight data theft, money laundering, and security breaches.
- Implementing AI and ML—are we ready to secure data and combat fraudsters in the hybrid world?
- Cyber resiliency for business continuity, reducing risks and severity of attacks
- Implementing Zero Trust approach with the wide adoption of IoT and 5G
- Open banking API and data sharing—overcoming cyber security challenges
- Safeguarding data ecosystems: mitigating third-party risks in platformification
Panellists include:
- Suresh Ramasamy, Chief Research Officer/CISO, Center for Advanced Computing and Telecommunications (CACT)
- Pepjin Kok, CISO & Head of Cyber Security, AIS
Session host:
David Gyori, International Resource Director, The Asian Banker
Panel Discussion
From Fintech to Embedded Finance: Navigating the paradigm shift
Embedded finance offers tailored financial products and services to customers. Hence, many banks and fintechs are investing heavily to develop their embedded finance products to gain customer trust and drive revenue. Traditional players are partnering with fintechs and payment companies to accelerate embedded finance adoption to thrive in a highly competitive landscape.
- How to utilise cutting-edge technologies to overcome security and compliance challenges in embedded finance solutions
- Identifying challenges in Banking as a Service (Baas) models
- The future of embedded finance with the rise of BNPL platforms
Panellists include:
- Arvid Swartsenburg, Head of Digital Strategy & Transformation, TMRW Digital Group, UOB
- John Howard Medina, Chief Operating Officer, PBCOM
- Martin Buchholz, Advisory to CIMB Thai Consumer Digital Banking, CIMB
- Mike Breen, Head of Sales, Standard Chartered nexus
Session host:
Peter Deans, Advisor, The Asian Banker Risk Management Awards Programme
Networking Luncheon
Panel Discussion
Blockchain Unleashed: Accelerating the evolution of the digital economy
In the past few years, we had a remarkable surge in digital currencies, propelling the development of cutting-edge innovations such as blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), metaverse, and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). But what lies beyond these advancements?
Advanced technologies such as Web 3.0 networks are rising as a new generation of the internet based on decentralisation. The adoption of these technologies has the potential for lowering costs and accelerating transactions while increasing transparency and security. Accordingly, the decentralised digital ledger technologies will impact the future of the digital economy.
- The need to design a clear and effective global regulatory framework
- Will DeFi continue to innovate? How about security issues?
- Blockchain as a service to increase network security and privacy on the cloud
- New protocols ‘cross-chain’ to provide faster connectivity and overcome interoperability and compatibility issues
- Utilising AI, ML and blockchain in data security and operational efficiency
- How banks can leverage Web 3.0 developments to offer new products, improve customer onboarding, mitigate risk and prevent data breaches
Panelist include:
- Jirayut Srupsrisopa, Founder and Group CEO, Bitkub
- Peter D. Finn, Co-founder and CEO, Synectify
- Axel Winter, Technology Leader; former Global Head of Enterprise Architecture & Technology Strategy, Standard Chartered Bank
- Tim Scheffmann, CEO, LTS Ventures
- Ying Zhong Ng, VP Products, Cake Group
Session host:
Neeti Aggarwal, Senior Research and Consulting Manager, The Asian Banker
Panel Discussion
Embracing Cloud-Native: Fueling scalability and innovation
Investments in cloud-based applications have been growing significantly. Storing and accessing data on the cloud is vital for operational and cost efficiency. New emerging technologies are also pushing banks to enhance their IT infrastructure to streamline operation.
- Investing in cloud technologies to provide customers with hyper-personalisation
- How to benefit from adopting open hybrid multi-cloud to ensure agility, security and speed
- How to maximise the advantage of cloud-native solutions to improve efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness
- Leveraging 5G and IoT with cloud infrastructure to increase operational efficiencies, reduce costs, decarbonisation and sustainability
Panellists include:
- Colin Dinn, Chief Information and Digital Officer, Vietcombank
- Johnson Poh, Chief Data Officer, VPBank
Session host:
Wilson Chia, International Resource Director, The Asian Banker
Networking Tea Break
Closing Keynote
Debate: Will ChatGPT eat your job?
Who has the edge in the job market: ChatGPT or humans? Rapid advances in emerging generative technologies like ChatGPT, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), have raised concerns among professionals about job displacement. How can we level up against AI, which is constantly in a high pitch of development and now seen to be surpassing super-human abilities?
In this session, we will explore the pros and cons of generative AI technologies and the impact of embedding them into digital journeys in the financial sector. We will discuss the skills and competencies that financial services professionals must acquire to remain relevant in an industry dominated by AI.
- Generative AI tools may replace certain roles in finance
- Potential for synergies between humans and AI systems
- What competencies do bankers need to stay competitive?
Panellists include:
- Henry Aguda, President & CEO, UnionDigital Bank
- Peter D. Finn, Co-founder and CEO, Synectify
- Chrisada Sookdhis, Head of Data Science, AIA Thailand
Session co-hosted by Gordian Gaeta, International Resource Director, The Asian Banker and Emmanuel Daniel, Founder, The Asian Banker
Closing Remarks & End of Summit
*Please note that this is a working agenda and topics are subject to change.
For questions related to the programme, please contact:
Agenda & Speaking Opportunities:
- Essraa Mansi
- emansi@tab.global
- +971 554 200 425
Exhibition & Sponsorship Opportunities:
- Grace Zhi
- gzhi@theasianbanker.com
- +65 8874 3111
Delegate Registration:
- Joshua Sangalang
- jsangalang@tab.global
- +63 905 0253 810