Chief Digital Heroes in Banking

FIS’s Julia Demidova on the Role of Digital Currencies in Financial Inclusion

In this episode of Chief Digital Heroes, Matthew speaks with Julia Demidova, Head of CBDC & Digital Currencies Product and Strategy at FIS. Julia shares her insights on the transformative potential of digital currencies, particularly in cross-border payments. She emphasizes the importance of regulatory clarity to foster innovation and enhance security in the payments landscape. 
 
Additionally, Julia discusses the role of programmability in automating transactions, making them more efficient. She also highlights the critical need for financial inclusion, ensuring that unbanked populations can access digital financial services. 
 
Topics discussed:
How digital currencies can revolutionize the payments industry, particularly in enhancing efficiency and security in transactions.
The challenges and opportunities in cross-border payments, emphasizing the need for improved infrastructure and regulatory frameworks.
The importance of clear regulations to foster innovation in the digital currency space and ensure secure transactions for all stakeholders.
The role of programmability and how smart contracts can automate processes and streamline financial transactions for greater efficiency.
The value of commitment to being client-centric, focusing on understanding client needs, and addressing their pain points in the payments landscape.
The critical need for financial inclusion, ensuring that unbanked populations have access to digital financial services and banking solutions.
The necessity of educating stakeholders about digital currencies, their benefits, and the processes involved in adopting these technologies.
The environmental impact of emerging financial technologies and the importance of urging stakeholders to consider the carbon footprint of digital solutions.
The benefits of integrating various emerging technologies, such as blockchain and digital currencies, to enhance financial services.
The importance of having a strategic vision for the future of payments and focusing on long-term goals and potential use cases for clients. 

Scifn’s Jamiel Sheikh on Solving Scalability and Security in Blockchain-AI Integration

In this episode of Chief Digital Heroes in Banking, Matthew speaks with Jamiel Sheikh, Founder & CEO of Scifn, to explore the cutting-edge convergence of blockchain and AI. Jamiel shares his insights into the challenges of integrating AI within a trustless blockchain environment and discusses innovative trust mechanisms. 
 
Jamiel offers his thoughts on addressing scalability and security issues through solutions like sharding and improved consensus mechanisms. He touches also on the importance of clear communication in articulating value propositions to clients and stakeholders. 
 
Topics discussed:
How to build robust trust mechanisms for integrating AI within a trustless blockchain environment.
Addressing scalability issues in blockchain-AI integration through innovative techniques like sharding and improved consensus mechanisms.
The security hurdles faced when combining blockchain and AI technologies and potential solutions.
The importance of clear communication in articulating value propositions to clients and stakeholders.
How financial companies are increasingly open to exploring blockchain and AI technologies for various applications.
Real-world examples of blockchain and AI integration and their impact on different industries.
The role of soft skills like time management and effective communication in leading tech innovations.
Educating others about blockchain and AI, including his work with central banks and Fortune 500 companies.
The importance of networking and knowledge sharing across organizational boundaries in advancing tech innovation.

Islamic Development Bank Institute’s Sami Al-Suwailem on Balancing Short-Term Wins and Long-Term Impact in Islamic Finance

In this episode of Chief Digital Heroes in Banking, Matthew speaks with Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General at Islamic Development Bank Institute. Sami explores the transformative potential of digital technologies in Islamic finance. He also shares his insights on integrating blockchain and AI to enhance transparency and trust within the sector. 
Sami discusses the importance of balancing short-term wins with long-term strategic goals and highlights the critical role of social intelligence in developing effective financial solutions. Sami also offers valuable perspectives on driving innovation and impact in Islamic finance.
 
Topics discussed:
How these technology can enhance transparency, trust, and efficiency in Islamic finance.
The challenge of achieving immediate wins while ensuring sustainable, long-term strategic impact in financial services.
Understanding the importance of social intelligence in developing innovative and effective financial solutions.
An overview of the Islamic Development Bank Institute's role in promoting economic development and social progress in member countries.
Discussing the unique challenges faced in translating Islamic finance principles into actionable solutions.
The potential of emerging technologies, such as blockchain and AI, to drive innovation in the financial sector.
The importance of training programs and intellectual capital in developing the Islamic finance industry.
Insights into a new algorithm designed to reduce market volatility while protecting investor rights.
Advice for young professionals on the importance of having multiple specializations to adapt to industry changes.

Allianz Australia’s Christopher Iwanowski on Fostering an Intrapreneurial Mindset for Digital Transformation

In this episode of Chief Digital Heroes in Banking, Matthew speaks with Christopher Iwanowski, Chief Transformation Officer at Allianz Australia, about the intricacies of driving digital transformation in the insurance industry. Christopher shares insights on balancing global solutions with local market needs, highlighting the importance of regulatory compliance and customer-centric approaches. 
He also dives into fostering an intrapreneurial mindset within large organizations to spur innovation. Additionally, Christopher emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing execution and effective communication to successfully navigate the complexities of transformation. He also offers his strategy for integrating new tools such as AI in a way that allows employees to experiment safely.
 
Topics discussed:
Balancing global solutions with local market requirements to ensure effective digital transformation across different regions and regulatory landscapes.
The importance of fostering an intrapreneurial mindset within large organizations to drive innovation and agile decision-making.
Prioritizing execution and clear communication to navigate the complexities and challenges of digital transformation.
The role of effective leadership in guiding teams through periods of significant change and transformation within the insurance sector.
Utilizing technology and AI to streamline operations and improve customer service, such as using AI agents to transcribe audio files and meetings.
Strategies for training and upskilling employees to adapt to new technologies and processes during transformation.
The importance of due diligence in gathering and analyzing information before making strategic decisions in a rapidly changing environment.
Ensuring that transformation efforts are customer-centric, focusing on improving customer experiences and meeting their evolving needs.

Belfius’ Jonathan Neubourg on Balancing Digital Tech Advancements and Strategic Focus

In this episode of Chief Digital Heroes in Banking, Matthew speaks with Jonathan Neubourg, Chief Digital Data & AI Officer at Belfius. Jonathan dives into the transformative role of digital and AI in banking, highlighting the importance of maintaining a customer-centric approach amidst rapid technological advancements. 
He shares insights on how Belfius prioritizes strategic innovation while ensuring top-notch customer experiences by putting themselves in their customers’ shoes. Additionally, Jonathan discusses the challenges of driving internal adoption of new technologies and the significance of aligning the entire organization with the digital transformation agenda.
 
Topics discussed:
Jonathan Neubourg’s unique path from studying electronics to becoming the Chief Digital Data and AI Officer at Belfius.
How Belfius prioritizes customer needs and experiences in every digital and AI initiative.
The exponential growth of Belfius' mobile banking app, now used by over 2 million customers daily.
The importance of making strategic choices and prioritizing the right technologies amidst rapid digital innovation.
The blending of digital development, data analytics, and AI to enhance the mobile banking experience.
Techniques for rallying the entire organization around digital transformation and AI integration.
The potential and challenges of integrating generative AI into banking services and internal processes.
Fostering a culture of innovation and experimentation within Belfius to stay ahead in the digital landscape.
Managing limited resources and making tough choices to maximize the impact of digital initiatives.
Emerging technologies and trends that will shape the future of banking, including AI, AR, and VR.

Ecobank's Nvalaye Kourouma on Avoiding Copy/Paste in Digital Transformation Problem Solving

In this episode of Chief Digital Heroes, Matthew speaks with Nvalaye Kourouma, Group Chief Digital Officer at Ecobank, about how technology is a tool for digital transformation, but it's not just copy and paste across different markets in different countries. They also discuss the importance of scaling up and how Ecobank is shaping the ecosystem of banking.
Then, Nvalaye reflects on what it means to be a successful CDO – a capacity to learn, creativity, and flexibility – and offers advice for those seeking a similar role.
 
Topics discussed:
Why digital transformation is not copy and paste from one country to another.
The three pillars of being a CDO: the digital platform, data analytics, and innovation.
How Ecobank is shaping the ecosystem of banking in Africa by partnering with other banking entities.
How keeping things as simple as possible for the customer will ultimately bring them the most value.
How the ability of the user to apply technology to their problem is more important than the technology itself.
The three key skills of being a successful CDO: capacity to learn, creativity, and flexibility.

Euroclear's Jørgen Ouaknine on How Euroclear Aims to Engage, Inspire, and Deliver

In this episode of Chief Digital Heroes, Matthew speaks with Jørgen Ouaknine, Group Head of Innovation and Digital Assets at Euroclear. They discuss how a role in innovation has expanded in Jørgen's time at Euroclear and how it's shaped their purpose of safety, efficiency, and sustainable economic growth. They also discuss how going digital has allowed FMIs like Euroclear to continue to exist, but that there are still inefficiencies to be solved. 
 
Topics discussed:
How financial market infrastructures connect issuers and investors and serve their communities thanks to digitization.
Why the current market would benefit from moving from a sequential value chain to a circular one.
How Euroclear balances moving forward with matching the pace of change of the market--all with the help of client feedback.
The importance of focusing on your priorities without getting caught up in the technologies that are currently en vogue.
Avoiding "reinventing the wheel" and developing what you have rather than constantly starting from scratch.
How having a strategic vision is key to being a successful leader in innovation. 

Bank of Thailand's Witit Synsatayakul on the People and Processes Needed for Digital Transformation

In this episode of Chief Digital Heroes, Matthew speaks with Witit Synsatayakul, Deputy Director, Digital Currency Policy and Development at Bank of Thailand. They discuss why digital transformation needs to start with people and processes before systems and tools, and why it should be led by mid-level managers. They also talk about the skills needed for digital transformation success, how tokenization is opening up growth opportunities, and how AI will shape the future.
 
Topics discussed:
Why digital transformation needs to start with the people and processes first, before systems and tools.
How tokenization creates growth and opportunity, especially through atomic settlements and reduced risk.
Why business know-how, technical competency, and project management skills are the key to digital leadership success.
The challenges to being a digital leader, including the dynamic nature of the role and resource constraints.
Why digital transformation should be led by mid-level senior managers instead of leaders at the top.
How AI will shape the financial sector in the future by being "close to daily life." 

Unibank's Sattar Kazimov on How to Build and Evolve Your Digital Initiatives

In this episode of Chief Digital Heroes, Matthew speaks with Sattar Kazimov, CDO at Unibank. They discuss the digital evolution of Unibank into being named one of the best banks in Azerbaijan, including how they built customer products and backend digital and IT teams. They also talk about the importance of creating products that fit your customers’ needs, why CDOs need to test and adapt to changing times, and how AI will improve operational efficiency and customer service.
 
Topics discussed:
How Sattar created and evolved digital initiatives at Unibank, including rolling out mobile banking and building digital teams.
The importance of knowing your customers and building products that serve them first.
How Unibank has embarked on its digital transformation, including branching out into partnerships to create a neobank that gained one million customers in 24 months.
Why the future will only focus on banking and customer experiences, not banks and products.
How banks can use AI for optimizing processes, improving customer interactions, and enhancing operational efficiency.
The challenges to digital transformation, including testing and adapting to a constantly changing world.
Advice to other CDOs to remember to put people first and tech second. 

Why Do So Many Blockchain Transformation Projects Fail? (Ask Matthew)

Welcome to a special edition of Chief Digital Heroes, where our host Matthew Van Niekerk answers the top questions our listeners have asked us. In today's episode, Matthew addresses "Why do so many Blockchain Transformation projects fail?"
When embarking upon a Blockchain Transformation, companies often hit a Blockchain Complexity Chasm. On one side is their blockchain aspiration, on the other side is potential gain, but there's no bridge to cross it — and common approaches like training internally or buying vertical solutions can often widen that chasm. The solution is a different approach that includes using a Blockchain Transformation Platform to help cross that chasm.
Would you like to have Matthew answer one of your questions in a future episode? Email Maria.Lopez@SettleMint.com with your question and a short summary of why you are looking for an answer!