Finastra Universe 2021 to explore digital transformation in the financial sector

 Finastra Universe 2021 is a unique virtual event that brings together banks, fintechs and developers to explore the impact of technology on financial services. It will open on March 2, with hundreds of sessions available on demand via the Finastra Universe platform throughout the rest of the month. The event will focus on the enormous potential of technology for banks and the challenges they face as they accelerate their digital transformation journeys in a post-pandemic world.

Confirmed keynote speakers include Toni Townes-Whitley, President, US Regulated Industries, Microsoft who will join Simon Paris, CEO, Finastra, to discuss, ‘Accelerating Through Change: Rebuilding for Better Outcomes in a Post-Covid World’. In addition, Eli Rosner, Chief Product and Technology Officer, Finastra, will deliver a keynote speech on ‘The role of technology in accelerating through change’.

The event’s headline CXO panel will feature John Blizzard, President & CEO Seattle Bank; Claire Calmejane, Chief Innovation Officer, Societe Generale Group; and Sang Lee, Co-Founder and Managing Partner Aite Group, who will join Eric Duffaut, President and Global Head of Customer Operations at Finastra, for a debate entitled: ‘Technology as a catalyst for open innovation – the evolution of technology and the platformification of the industry to exploit global innovation, and excel in a post-Covid world’.

For the Middle East and Africa region, Wissam Khoury, Head of International at Finastra, will lead a CXO panel of banks discussing ‘Transforming Corporate Banking in MEA’. The panel will feature Dr. Tomisin Fashina, CIO, Ecobank; Antranik Tcheboukjian, Head of Technology, Corporate & Investment at First Abu Dhabi Bank,  Mohammad Nasr Ullah,  Head of Trade and Transaction Banking Solutions at Arab National Bank and Ron Mutandagayi, CEO at ZB Financial Holdings Limited. The panelists will elaborate on new business models in corporate banking and how they are reimagining themselves in the new virtual world with digitization and new value add services.

Speaking about the event, Wissam Khoury, Head of International at Finastra, said, “The pandemic has further accelerated the shift towards open, online banking in the Middle East. Financial organizations that want to cement customer loyalty must create new experiences that give their customers the end-to-end, branchless experience they now expect as standard. Finastra Universe provides the perfect opportunity to share experiences and gain new insights into digital transformation and the journey to open.”

Attendees of Finastra Universe will join financial services executives, technology innovators and industry thought leaders to discuss, debate and learn. Key themes include the way forward for banks in a post-Covid world, the power of open platforms, the countdown to the end of LIBOR, steps to a successful ISO 20022 migration and how to achieve real-time B2B payments in 2021.