European Digital Finance Conference

Provisional Agenda

Session 1: The Future of Banking: Challenger Models, Legacy Institutions, and the Digital Race (09:00 – 11:00)

Key Topics:

“Seamless Transformation: AI and Digital Integration in Banking”

• How banks can modernize without full system replacements
• The role of AI in streamlining legacy system upgrades

“Customer Experience and AI-Driven Personalisation in Banking”

• How digital-native banks are reshaping customer expectations
• AI’s role in hyper-personalised banking experiences and predictive financial services

“Turning Compliance into a Competitive Advantage”

• Regulatory compliance as a differentiator, not a burden
• How banks—both new and traditional—are leveraging AI and automation to build trust and innovation

Panel Discussion: The New Banking Playbook – How Challenger Models Are Reshaping European Finance

Moderator: Morten Kriek, Founder, The Banking 50

Panelists:

• Thomas Vles, Founder, GoDutch
• Marijus Plančiūnas, CEO, Paysera

Topics:

1.  The balancing act: Speed of innovation vs. security and risk management
2. Next-gen authentication: Beyond passwords and towards seamless security
3. Data governance in a digital-first banking landscape
4. Cloud adoption strategies: How banks manage core operations in the cloud
5. The role of RegTech: Automating compliance for efficiency and effectiveness

Coffee Break and Networking (11:00 – 12:00)

Session 2: Scaling Digital Transformation: Technology, Trust, and the Future of Banking Infrastructure (12:00 – 14:00)

Presentations:

INSIDE ING’S DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION – Key Drivers of Growth, Innovation, and Scalability by Tjeerd Hunnekens, Global Transformation Lead at ING.

1. The Remarkable Similarities Between Company Growth and Human Growth: Discover the fascinating parallels between company growth and human growth, highlighting the shared journey of overcoming challenges and achieving success.
2. Learnings from ING Digital Journeys: Gain valuable insights from ING’s digital transformation over the past 20 years, focusing on key learnings and innovative strategies.
3. Extracting Key Drivers for Success Based on ING Digital Journeys: Uncover the critical success factors, such as having one voice and one direction, that have propelled ING’s digital journeys.
4. Scalability and Platform Approach: Explore the essential preconditions for scalability, including the platform approach and the ability to pivot when necessary, to drive sustainable growth.
5. Success Factors in Digital Transformation and Innovation: Identify the key success factors that have driven ING’s digital transformation and innovation efforts, setting a benchmark for the industry.
6. Personal Pointers for Success: Benefit from personal insights and practical tips based on my extensive experience in digital transformation and leadership.

Other Key Topics:

“AI in Banking: Enhancing Efficiency and Managing Risk”

• Practical AI applications enhancing operations, customer service, and risk management
• Predictive analytics for fraud detection and credit risk assessment

“The API Economy and Cloud Security: Building Resilient Banking Ecosystems”

• How banks are managing third-party access securely
• Best practices for API governance and cloud risk management

“Cybersecurity and CBDCs: Addressing New Risks in Digital Banking”

• The cybersecurity impact of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)
• How banks can prepare for digital currency integration while strengthening security

Panel Discussion: Building the Bank of Tomorrow: harnessing the uncertainty and emerging technologies for strategic advantage

Moderator: Igor Mikhalev, Partner, EY

Topics:

1. Disruptive by Design: Embedding Emerging Tech into Core Banking Strategy
   How banks can go beyond innovation labs and make disruptive tech integral to their operating model.
2. From Biometrics to Behavior: Rethinking Trust in Next-Gen Authentication
   Exploring cutting-edge ID and access models that blend AI, behavioral analytics, and zero-trust principles.
3. Programmable Money & Digital Currencies: Redefining the Value Chain
   The strategic implications of CBDCs, tokenization, and smart contracts for banking infrastructure and policy.
4. AI-Driven Decisioning: Breaking Silos with Real-Time Data Intelligence
   How AI and ML are transforming lending, compliance, fraud detection, and personalization at scale.

Lunch Break and Networking (14:00 – 15:00)

Session 3: Financial Crime in the Digital Age: Strengthening Defenses Against Emerging Threats (15:00 – 17:00)

Presentations:

SMART SECURITY: LEVERAGING AI FOR ENHANCED PROTECTION IN BANKING – Transforming Physical Security at Headquarters and Branch Networks by Dinko Lucic, President of the Management Board at PBZ – Intesa Sanpaolo Group

Other Key Topics:

“AI-Driven AML & Fraud Prevention: Beyond Rule-Based Monitoring”

• How machine learning is improving real-time transaction monitoring
• Case studies of AI reducing false positives and enhancing detection accuracy

“Combating Social Engineering: Strengthening Customer and Employee Defenses”

• Advanced fraud tactics targeting banking customers and staff
• Behavioral analytics and adaptive authentication to prevent manipulation

“Collaborative Threat Intelligence: Banks, Regulators & Tech Firms Against Financial Crime”

• Real-world examples of effective public-private data sharing
• The role of RegTech solutions in compliance and risk management

Panel Discussion: Financial Crime, Compliance & Fraud –
Strengthening Defenses in a Digital World

Moderator: Francis Marinier, Financial Crime Compliance Industry Practice Lead, Moody’s

Topics:

1. Emerging fraud patterns in an era of digital banking and real-time payments
2. Authentication bypass attacks: How criminals exploit banking security gaps
3. Cross-border collaboration: Navigating fragmented regulations in financial crime prevention
4. AI and machine learning in fraud detection: Enhancing security while reducing false positives
5. Managing third-party risk: Strengthening controls over partners and API connections
6. KYC & Sanctions: Addressing compliance challenges in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape

Money Party by The Banking 50

Time: 17:30 – 21:30

Our event takes place a day before one of the world’s biggest fintech and payments events kicks off in RAI Amsterdam. Banking professionals from across the globe who travel to Amsterdam for this occasion gather and mix with our bank executives from The Banking 50. In a relaxed atmosphere, with drinks and canapés, experiences, views and ideas are exchanged during this most significant evening of the week. The Banking 50 provides the perfect platform for meaningful relationships to be formed and valuable business opportunities to be developed.

The evening ends at 21:30.

Highlights from The Banking 50’s European Digital Finance Conference in Amsterdam, February 2025