We invite teams from traditional banks, digital banks, regulators, and fintech firms across Asia to participate in the region’s first risk games for bankers.
As the global banking and finance sector faces unprecedented disruption, geopolitical shifts, volatile interest rates, dynamic capital flows, and evolving regulations are reshaping the competitive landscape. Coupled with unexpected economic crises and Black Swan events, domestic competition is intensifying. To succeed, banks need more than resilience—they need sharp, adaptable strategies.
The Banking Olympiad 2025 offers a gamified platform to test these strategies. Participants will engage in real- world scenarios driven by global forces, demanding quick thinking, decisive action, and strategic agility.
Set on a global stage, the Olympiad brings together top banking professionals, digital strategists, and fintech innovators for intense, scenario-based competitions and learning sessions focused on risk assessment, capital allocation, crisis management, and regulatory compliance.
Develop advanced risk management and balance sheet skills through practical scenarios.
Test real-world scenarios expected in 2025–2026.
Learn from regulators, economists, and industry thought leaders.
Network with like-minded peers for ongoing dialogue.
Elevate your expertise and become a leading voice in banking.
Hands-on skill-building and practical learning
Immersive scenario simulations
Competitive benchmarking
Networking and collaboration opportunities
Each team must consist of 4 to 6 members with diverse skills to tackle a range of challenges. Team members can be from:
Professionals from departments like risk management, treasury, trading, and product management.
Teams from digital banks, P2P lending platforms, or fintech firms keen on training employees in a competitive setting.
Regulatory staff seeking to enhance skills and gain insights.
Participants will compete anonymously in teams using avatars. Only the winning teams and their organisations will be revealed after the finals to celebrate their achievements.
Competition and strategy
Global transformation
Risk, regulation, and compliance
Cost and profitability
Customer and shareholder interests
Teamwork and organisational structure
An expert panel will discuss the macroeconomic forecast for the region amid significant volatility in international markets. The focus will be on sustaining and improving profitability and liquidity during the challenging months ahead. This session will set the stage for the programme, helping teams understand the environment in which their banks are operating.
Some introductions and initial feedback may have already been shared in chat groups following earlier rounds of competition.
In this first session, a rapid escalation of geopolitical tensions in a major region causes fluctuations in interest rates and volatility in lending and savings volumes on the balance sheet. Teams must assess how these changes impact overall asset quality and funding stability, adjusting strategies to manage these balance sheet shifts effectively. Understanding how these changes affect international trade, investment flows, and regional markets is critical for ensuring stability.
Through participating in this first session, participants will:
In this second session, we will discuss the concept of enterprise risk in a volatile interest and exchange rate regime and also in an environment where digitisation presents a new risk regime that needs to be managed. How should banks view their overall risk regime and how should they set out to safeguard themselves.
We will conduct a review of the first session and rank the teams by their competitive position against each other. The three top winning teams will then be invited to provide a 10-minute briefing of the thinking behind the positions they each took. From their presentations, the adjudicators will vote to identify the best presentation.
In this second scenario, an unexpected shift in global interest rates causes FIs to scramble. Teams are required to reassess their balance sheet, liquidity, funding and pricing strategies. They must navigate the challenges of existing loans, funding costs, and market expectations.
Fluctuating interest rates can drastically alter the financial landscape, impacting lending, investment, and overall economic stability. Banking professionals must develop strategies to effectively manage interest rate risks while optimizing profitability.
Through participating in this second session, participants will:
In this second discussion, our panel from different parts of a bank will discuss elements of operational risks in a digital world that shows up on the balance sheet, especially as banks migrate more of their assets and relationships into the cloud.
We will discuss the rankings from the second session of the competition. The judge will first explain how the results were derived, followed by questions and discussions on the theme. Then the top three winners will be invited to make presentations of no more than 10 minutes each on the rationale for their respective decisions and followed by a discussion on them. The adjudicators will then vote for the best presenters which will contribute to their standing for the final awards.
The participants are welcome to join the rest of the Summit in their end of day keynote session which will look at global themes shaping the industry.
The flow of capital across borders is constantly evolving, influenced by economic conditions, investor sentiment, and regulatory changes. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for leveraging opportunities and managing associated risks.
This scenario presents a spike of capital inflows into a specific market, driving teams to analyse how to leverage this influx for growth while addressing potential volatility and regulatory scrutiny.
Through participating in this second session, participants will:
This panel will discuss the pertinent issues that banks have with regulators today and how to navigate them. Also, the extent to which RegTech software are helpful in managing regulatory requirements. The panel comprises Director of Risk and Compliance and Heads of Treasury and Asset Management
We will conduct a review of the third session and rank the teams by their competitive position against each other. The three top winning teams will then be invited to provide a 10-minute briefing of the thinking behind the positions they each took. From their presentations, the adjudicators will vote to identify the best presentation.
Economic crises and unpredictable Black Swan events can disrupt markets and challenge the resilience of financial institutions. Professionals must be prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to safeguard their organisations.
In this last scenario, participants are tasked with navigating a simulated economic crisis triggered by an unforeseen event (e.g., a major natural disaster or financial scandal) that impacts global markets and their “simulated” bank. Teams must develop a comprehensive response plan addressing immediate operational challenges and long-term recovery strategies.
Through participating in this second session, participants will:
We will discuss the rankings from all the sessions of the competition. The judge will explain the fourth and final analysis, followed by questions and discussions on the themes. Then the top three winners will be invited to make presentations of no more than 10 minutes each on the rationale for their respective decisions and followed by a discussion on them. The adjudicators will then vote for the best presenters which will contribute to their standing for the final awards.
Participants and delegates will join the closing keynote of the The Asian Banker Summit.
Teams must have 4 to 6 members, including one adjudicator (a member who reviews instructions, monitors compliance, and votes on disputes).
A participation fee of USD 3,800 is required.
At least three members must actively participate in decision-making.
Teams can be from the same or different institutions, but must represent financial entities (banks, stock markets, fund managers, insurance companies, regulators, or related entities).
Register using an avatar name for anonymity, but provide a work email
Teams will be identified by avatar names during the competition.
By registering, participants agree that team member names and institutions will be disclosed if they win a top prize or individual award.
Two virtual trials runs will help participants familiarise themselves with the programme structure. Teams must register using the provided form to participate.
Open to all, regardless of final event participation. Teams will tackle a scenario and submit their responses in a single session, conducted remotely.
Exclusive to paid registrants. Teams will experience the same format with a different scenario to prepare for the simulations. This session will also be remote.
The actual competition will take place on 21–22 May 2025 at The Asian Banker Summit 2025, held at The Ritz-Carlton, Jakarta, Indonesia.
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Email & Phone No.
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Chairman, The Banking Academy
Axel Winter is a highly experienced technology leader with strong hands-on experiences in the banking, retail and start-up worlds. He was previously Global Head of Enterprise Architecture & Technology Strategy for Standard Chartered Bank and had similar roles at GE Money and Cisco Systems. He is currently the Chief Digital Officer for a luxury mall operator and advises start-ups in asset tokenization and eCommerce. His expertise in technology infrastructure for banks and large businesses makes him a valuable contributor.
Founder, TAB Global
Internationally renowned banking industry expert Emmanuel Daniel designed this programme for leaders entrusted with defining new frontiers in banking and responding to new technologies as they evolve. He is the author of "The Great Transition – The Personalization of Finance is Here" and the founder of TAB Global, which includes The Asian Banker, The Banking Academy, and TAB Insights amongst others. Emmanuel also advises leading banks in Asia and serves on government committees focused on the future of finance.
Chairman, The Banking Academy
Urs Bolt is a seasoned professional with over 35 years of experience in financial services, specialising in digital banking and wealth management. He is a global influencer and thought leader in fintech, wealthtech, digital wealth management, and digital assets. Bolt has a proven track record in developing digital platforms and leading strategic initiatives, including creating a B2B social business platform for wealth managers, digital investment platforms, prime services for high-net-worth clients, post-trade services for FX/OTC products, and business transformation projects. He helps financial service providers and tech companies refine business strategies, develop solutions, and build partnerships.