IBS Intelligence Global FinTech Interviews

Grant Duxbury, Risk and Resilience Specialist at 11:11 Systems

As financial institutions accelerate modernisation, how can they strengthen cyber and business resilience while keeping critical services secure, available and compliant? Puja Sharma of IBS Intelligence speaks to Grant Duxbury, Risk and Resilience Specialist at 11:11 Systems, about why resilience must be embedded into digital transformation, how financial institutions can manage critical dependencies and third-party risks, improve operational readiness and ensure business continuity and recovery during disruption. 

Saumya Saxena, Global Builders Lead at Base, Coinbase

Puja Sharma of IBS Intelligence speaks with Saumya Saxena, Global Builders Lead at Base, Coinbase, about the next phase of onchain finance and its potential to reshape everyday financial services. The conversation explores stablecoins and cross-border payments, tokenised assets, AI-driven transactions and India’s role in advancing global onchain innovation.

Fanis Mesologitis, MD in Banking, Profile Software

Generative AI is moving from experimentation to enterprise adoption—what will it take for banks to scale AI securely, build trusted data foundations and deliver measurable business value? Puja Sharma of IBS Intelligence speaks to Fanis Mesologitis, Managing Director, Banking at Profile Software, about how financial institutions can move beyond AI pilots, strengthen data quality, balance innovation with governance and regulation, and identify where AI is delivering tangible ROI across banking. 

Sena Bahadir, Senior Sales Manager-GCC, Fimple

Digital banking provider Fimple is helping financial institutions across the GCC modernise their banking infrastructure through cloud-native, API-first and composable technology. Its real-time core banking platform can support banks as they integrate AI across customer experience, fraud detection, risk management and compliance, while improving data readiness and operational agility. Puja Sharma of IBS Intelligence speaks to Sena Bahadir, Senior Sales Manager – GCC at Fimple, about how AI is reshaping banking in the region and the role of modern banking infrastructure and technology partnerships in enabling GC...

João Moura, CEO & Co-Founder, Fraudio

Fraudio claims to decomplexify and disrupt the payment fraud detection and anti-money laundering industries with its patent pending AI super brain. CEO João Moura speaks to Robin Amlôt of IBS Intelligence, discussing where AI is delivering real value now and what comes next for fraud, financial crime and payment risk. 

Fayza Benayad, Global Partnership Head, Fimple

Digital banking provider Fimple is focused on using cloud-native, API-first banking technology to expand financial access for underserved SMEs and NGOs across Africa. Its composable banking architecture, real-time payments, digital onboarding and embedded finance capabilities can help financial institutions deliver more accessible and tailored services. Puja Sharma of IBS Intelligence speaks to Fayza Benayad, Global Partnership Head at Fimple, about the role of digital banking in advancing financial inclusion and how partnerships between banks, FinTechs, NGOs and technology providers can accelerate access across African markets.<...

Pramit Bhargava, Founder of Louie Voice, Clayfin

Digital banking provider Clayfin has acquired voice technology platform Louie Voice to strengthen its AI-driven customer experience and accessibility capabilities. The acquisition adds advanced voice AI to Clayfin’s Cognitive Banking platform, enabling customers to interact with banking services and perform transactions using natural voice commands. Puja Sharma of IBS Intelligence speaks to Pramit Bhargava, Founder of Louie Voice at Clayfin, about the rise of voice-first banking, the role of AI in accessible financial services, and how banks can balance automation, security and human interaction.

Rob Mason, Director, Regulatory Intelligence, Global Relay

Financial services providers have been reassessing their communications compliance strategies, according to a recent report by Global Relay. The report found that 66% of financial services firms now ban communications channels – the highest percentage in the annual survey’s four-year history and a significant jump from 2025 when the figure was 41%. At the same time, AI adoption continues to accelerate with 54% of firms not currently using AI for compliance or surveillance planning to introduce it within the next 12 months. Robin Amlôt of IBS Intelligence speaks to Rob Mason of Global Relay.

 Mohamed Moniem, Vice President – ME Region, nCino, speaks to Puja Sharma about how AI is moving banking from automation to predictive, insight-driven decision-making, covering its impact on lending, customer engagement, risk and banking infrastructure, while highlighting the need for trust and responsible AI adoption.

Chandra Gnanasambandham, Chief Technology Officer & EVP of Product, Sailpoint

In the background, data that shows 80% of organisations reporting that AI agents are taking unintended actions left to their own devices. Indeed, agents are mutating irrespective of being denied access to systems. Agents need intent-based authorisation, not policy-based authorisation. Robin Amlôt of IBS Intelligence discusses the evolving challenges of managing AI with Chandra Gnanasambandham, CTO of Sailpoint.

Scott Liddle, Co-Founder, Capi Money

There is a growing shift to FinTech actors in cross-border payments. Capi Money was established on the belief that this will also happen in Africa. Last year the London-based payments FinTech raised around $18 million in Series A funding. In January, the firm secured an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) licence from the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and, most recently, was granted a licence for cross-border payments in Ivory Coast, the first cross-border payments FinTech in the 8-country UEMOA bloc to receive such authorisation. Scott Liddle, Co-Founder of Capi Money speaks to Robin...

This interview explores how AI-powered testing frameworks are revolutionising the financial services sector by enhancing regulatory compliance and data sovereignty. It highlights the shift from traditional manual processes to agentic automation, which allows for the creation of testing scripts before software development is even completed. The text emphasises that cybersecurity and functional testing are now merging, requiring organisations to use artificial intelligence to defend against increasingly sophisticated digital threats. Furthermore, the role of Quality Assurance professionals is evolving from routine execution to strategic orchestration and validation, necessitating deeper domain...

This interview explores how Fasset is expanding its global reach through plans to establish a regulated digital Islamic bank in Malaysia under the leadership of Rafiza Ghazali. By leveraging the Labuan financial framework, the company aims to integrate stablecoin technology with traditional Shariah-compliant services such as asset-backed savings and cross-border payments. The discussion highlights Fasset's strategy of using blockchain infrastructure behind the scenes to solve real-world financial fragmentation, its disciplined regulatory approach, and its ambition to scale across multiple international markets over the next five years while building long-term consumer trust through reliable service delivery and practical financial utility.<...

This interview with Eric Bierry, CEO of SBS, explores how modern banking is shifting away from basic technology toward advanced operational governance and open banking integration. Bierry argues that financial institutions must move beyond viewing compliance as a chore, instead using it as a foundation for innovation and superior data utilization. The text highlights how a composable, SaaS-first architecture allows banks to update their systems incrementally, avoiding the high risks associated with total software overhauls. Strategic partnerships, such as the one with Axway...

This interview explores the current state of artificial intelligence within the banking sector, highlighting the growing gap between high corporate expectations and practical technological limitations. The source emphasizes that financial institutions must prioritize robust data foundations and "context engineering" over simply adopting popular language models. A strategic framework is proposed for identifying viable use cases, focusing on areas with high repetition and manageable error tolerances. While AI offers significant potential for operational efficiency and employee fatigue reduction, the text warns of critical risks regarding algorithmic bias, a lack of...

This interview features Karthik Sethuraman of audax Financial Technology discussing the urgent necessity for digital transformation within the global banking industry. He argues that traditional financial institutions must modernize to remain competitive, yet warns against the historical failure of massive, high-cost overhaul projects. Instead, he advocates for an incremental approach that allows banks to launch new digital products quickly without immediately dismantling their existing core infrastructure. The text highlights a strategic partnership with 10x Banking, which combines modern cloud-native systems with modular digital layers to...

This interview features nCino CEO Sean Desmond discussing the company's strategic focus on integrating agentic AI into the global banking sector. Desmond introduces the concept of a "dual workforce," where specialized digital agents handle repetitive, data-heavy tasks to allow human bankers to prioritize client relationships and complex decision-making. The text highlights nCino's expansion into ambitious markets like the Middle East and Japan, while emphasizing that their technology is built on a decade of industry-specific data. By embedding AI directly into existing workflows rather than offering it as...

This interview with Aditya Tulsian explores a paradigm shift in how Indian MSMEs access the project economy by moving from collateral-based credit to digital trust infrastructure. The source argues that traditional bank guarantees stifle growth by freezing vital working capital, whereas surety bonds offer a way to verify performance credibility without immobilising cash. By implementing a digital layer for monitoring and enforcement, the ecosystem can transition to a de-collateralised model that rewards execution capability over balance-sheet depth. These reforms...

This interview features Balaji Vasudevan of SysArc Infomatix, discussing the evolution of India’s digital lending through regulatory innovation and API-driven ecosystems. He emphasizes the RBI’s Regulatory Sandbox as essential for testing products like LENDperfect Shishu Mudra, which reduces compliance risks. SysArc’s API BUS streamlines bank-FinTech collaboration, while proactive tools like Early Warning Systems shift risk management from reactive to preventive. Vasudevan highlights how zero-touch mobility solutions drive rural financial inclusion and how FUNDperfect supports MSMEs with revenue-linked credit. While competitors focus on cloud-native models, SysArc differentiates itself through nearly thirty years of domain expertise and deep alignm...

DN Prahlad, Founder and Chairman, Surya FinTech

As banks move beyond AI experimentation to enterprise-wide deployment, Puja Sharma speaks with DN Prahlad, Founder and Chairman, Surya Software, on why the industry must shift its focus from AI hype to measurable business outcomes, how agentic AI is reshaping financial services, the critical role of data readiness, and the strategic priorities bank boards should embrace to unlock AI's long-term value.

Booshan Rengachari, founder and CEO of Finzly

As banks look beyond traditional core modernisation, the industry is increasingly focused on building a modern bank operating system that combines real-time payments, AI-driven intelligence, and connected financial ecosystems. Puja Sharma speaks with Booshan Rengachari, Founder and CEO of Finzly, about overcoming legacy constraints, enabling low-risk transformation, and preparing banks for a future shaped by agentic AI, tokenised assets, and next-generation payment infrastructure. 

In this interview, Mambu CEO Fernando Zandona discusses the critical importance of securing younger customers, specifically Gen Z and Alpha, because bank loyalty often lasts a lifetime. These demographics demand fast, digitally native experiences that traditional institutions struggle to provide using outdated legacy systems. To remain competitive against agile neobanks, Zandona suggests that established firms adopt cloud-based, composable banking platforms to launch modern services quickly without disrupting their main infrastructure. This strategy, exemplified by ABN Amro, allows banks to maintain compliance and trust while innovating through a "sidecar" core approach. Ultimately...

This interview highlights the significant transformation of transaction banking as it moves from a traditional product-based model to an intelligence-led service. By utilizing API-driven architectures and real-time data, banks are now embedding financial capabilities directly into their clients' daily business workflows and internal systems. The text emphasizes how artificial intelligence and advanced analytics are turning treasury operations into autonomous, value-generating functions that provide continuous visibility and predictive insights. This shift allows financial institutions to act as strategic partners rather than simple transaction processors, focusing on improving client outcomes and liquidity management. Ultimately, the future of the industry lies in "...

This interview outlines Murex’s strategic expansion into India’s rapidly evolving capital markets through the year 2026. This growth plan centers on providing sophisticated trading and risk management infrastructure to help local banks handle rising derivatives volumes and complex regulatory standards. By establishing a dedicated Mumbai office, Murex aims to leverage local technical talent and offer closer support for its cloud-native platforms, such as MX.3 and MXGO. These solutions facilitate a seamless transition from fragmented legacy systems to integrated, front-to-back workflows that prioritize real-time analytics and capital efficiency. Ultimately, the...

This interview features Jean-Charles Duyck from SBS discussing a successful core banking modernization project for Fransabank France. Rather than a risky total system replacement, the approach utilized modular, cloud-native components to update digital services and instant payment capabilities. This incremental strategy allowed the bank to maintain operational stability and regulatory compliance while integrating modern API-driven architectures. By decoupling new features from the existing core, the bank achieved greater agility and resilience against technical disruptions. Looking forward, the source emphasizes that data analytics and artificial intelligence...

This interview talks about the financial sector is undergoing a massive shift from physical trading floors to cloud-based ecosystems that prioritise speed and global accessibility. This evolution is democratising market infrastructure, allowing smaller banks to utilise the same high-powered tools as major global institutions. However, many firms struggle with costly system fragmentation and siloed data, which act as a hidden tax on their ability to scale and innovate. To overcome these hurdles, institutions are increasingly seeking regulated technology partners like Nasdaq to provide secure, managed services and reliable governance frameworks. The future of the industry lies in the integration...

This interview explores the global shift toward unified real-time payment ecosystems, highlighting how interoperability and 24/7 settlement are becoming the new international standards. It details how traditional banks are adopting cloud-native stacks and API-driven architectures to modernise legacy systems and remain competitive against agile FinTech rivals. Key innovations such as ISO 20022 data standards and Credit on UPI are identified as essential tools for improving fraud detection and expanding financial inclusion. Furthermore, the source outlines how corporate treasuries are transitioning toward instant liquidity management and automated reconciliation. Finally, it showcases Mindgate’s strategic role in exporting India's digital payment expertise to gl...

Pat Bermingham, CEO, Adflex

We review the top trends that will transform how businesses make and take payments in the modern world. Robin Amlôt of IBS Intelligence speaks to Pat Bermingham, CEO of UK-based B2B digital payment processor Adflex. The company is Europe’s leading processor of commercial card payments, processing over 7 million transactions a year for more than 4,000 businesses. Among the topics discussed: the consumerisation of B2B payments, digital identity, ISO 20022, straight-through processing and the role of agentic AI.

This interview explores the strategic development of the B2B Buy Now, Pay Later industry through insights from the co-founder of PastPay, a major financial provider in Eastern Europe. The discussion highlights how deferred payment solutions help businesses optimize cash flow management during periods of economic uncertainty and inflation. The source emphasizes that the sector must adopt proactive self-regulation to avoid the reputational challenges and stricter regulations faced by the consumer BNPL market. A key theme is the importance of prioritizing sustainable long-term value instead of focusing solely on transaction volume, ensuring stability for both providers and clients. Additionally...

This interview features Krishna Subramanyan discussing the major FinTech trends expected to shape the financial industry in 2025. The conversation highlights the growing importance of embedded compliance, where regulatory processes are integrated directly into digital workflows to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs. Subramanyan also explains that digital assets and central bank digital currencies are likely to gain wider mainstream acceptance due to more supportive political and regulatory environments. The interview identifies artificial intelligence as a key driver for improving operational decision-making, strengthening security systems, and enhancing risk management. Additionally, these technological developments are expected to make cross-border payments faster...

This interview features Phani Tangirala discussing the importance of balancing rapid artificial intelligence adoption with strong ethical governance in the financial technology industry. The conversation emphasizes that organizations must build transparency and trust while overcoming challenges such as poor data quality and the integration of outdated legacy systems. Tangirala explains a three-pronged framework focused on ethics, reliable data management, and cybersecurity by design to support sustainable and secure technological growth. The interview also highlights the importance of a phased implementation strategy and continuous workforce upskilling to successfully scale AI from small pilot programs to enterprise-wide operations. Overall, the discussion...

This interview features an interview with Lina Mestari from Skaleet, a technology provider that recently won an award for its cloud-native core banking platform. The text highlights a successful partnership with FDJ Services, illustrating how the Nirio payment solution achieved significant growth in transactions and customer retention within months of launching. Beyond this specific case study, the source examines broader European banking trends, such as the transition from legacy systems to modular architectures that allow for incremental modernisation. It further explores the transformative roles of artificial intelligence and instant payments, which are pushing financial institutions toward more agile, real-time...

This interview features Raji Challita discussing the changing financial technology landscape across the Middle East and North Africa. The conversation highlights how traditional banks and agile BML Istisharat are increasingly working alongside FinTech firms to combine financial stability with rapid innovation. Challita explains that major regional trends include the adoption of cloud-based technologies, open banking frameworks, and the growing use of artificial intelligence to improve credit scoring, customer experiences, and fraud prevention. The interview also explores the rise of digital lending and the need to maintain ethical and regulatory standards within Islamic banking systems. Overall, the discussion shows how...

This interview features Myles Bertrand discussing how Tuum is helping modernize core banking systems through flexible and cloud-based solutions. The discussion highlights Tuum’s successful collaboration with LHV, which shifted the bank’s IT focus from costly maintenance toward innovation-driven growth. Bertrand explains the importance of the company’s cloud-agnostic strategy and its partnership with Google Cloud in supporting scalable and future-ready banking operations. The interview also explores Tuum’s expansion into Islamic banking and SME financial services, emphasizing the need for adaptable digital infrastructure. Additionally, Bertrand advocates for progressive modernization, where banks upgrade systems gradually instead of replacing them ent...

This interview highlights a successful partnership between Bluering and Housing Bank in Jordan, which resulted in a prestigious award for the rapid deployment of a corporate lending platform. CEO Fares Kobeissi explains that modern financial institutions require comprehensive digital solutions that automate the entire credit lifecycle while remaining flexible enough to integrate with existing systems. A key focus of the discussion is the importance of no-code technology, which allows banks to customize workflows and adapt to market changes without extensive technical overhead. The source also emphasizes the role of <...

This interview features Ben Goldin discussing how Plumery aims to democratize financial technology for smaller and mid-sized banks. Goldin explains that the company’s composable banking platform enables institutions to rapidly launch advanced mobile and web banking services without the extensive resources of major global banks. The discussion highlights Plumery’s move beyond traditional banking functions toward creating lifestyle-focused digital experiences that improve customer engagement. The interview also introduces the company’s digital lending solution, which uses advanced data scoring to expand financial inclusion while reducing operational risk. Looking ahead, Goldin emphasizes the growin...

Deepak Dastrala, CEO, Purple Fabric, Intellect Design arena

As the Middle East prepares for a massive intergenerational wealth transfer and rising demand for personalised financial advice, wealth management firms are rethinking how they engage clients, empower relationship managers, and scale operations. Puja Sharma speaks with Deepak Dastrala, CEO, Purple Fabric, IDA, about the growing role of AI-driven intelligence in wealth management, the shift from technology-led to insight-led advisory models, and how firms can balance growth, productivity, trust, and compliance in an increasingly competitive landscape.

"This interview explores how Visa’s acquisition of Pismo is shaping the future of digital banking. CEO Vishal Dalai explains that the partnership strengthens innovation, improves global resource access, and helps financial institutions modernize faster through cloud-native core banking solutions. The discussion highlights the shift from outdated legacy systems to flexible API-first architectures, which allow banks to scale operations more efficiently and deliver better customer experiences. The interview also emphasizes that artificial intelligence should be viewed as a tool for optimization and data-driven insights rather than a replacement for banking infrastructure. Additionally, the use of microservices and cloud scalability is...

This interview explores how Skaleet is helping modernize the banking industry through modular, cloud-native technology and flexible digital infrastructure. The company’s Chief Product Officer explains that Skaleet’s API-first architecture and SaaS-based solutions enable financial institutions to move beyond the limitations of outdated legacy systems and traditional banking models. The discussion highlights successful collaborations with partners such as NiuPay and Helios, demonstrating how operational agility and scalable technology can improve efficiency while reducing costs. The interview also examines the growing influence of artificial intelligence in enhancing data accessibility, improving customer experiences, and strengthening fraud prevention across European banking. Over...

This interview discusses how financial institutions must modernize outdated legacy systems to manage economic uncertainty and increasingly strict regulations. Finastra executive Herve Carrere explains that cloud-native platforms and modular architectures help banks improve flexibility, reduce operational risks, and respond faster to market changes. The interview also highlights the growing impact of Generative and Agentic AI, which can automate complex financial processes, deliver real-time insights, and improve decision-making in treasury and capital markets. Carrere emphasizes the importance of continuous software “evergreening” through automated testing and strategic partnerships to keep systems updated without interrupting operations. Additionally, the discussion points to increasing dema...