January 14, 2025

Leading Through Disruption: Insights from the FT Global Banking Summit

Udi Ziv, Chief Executive Officer, Personetics

Last month, at the Financial Times Global Banking Summit in London, I had the honor of giving the keynote address, at the Speakers’ Dinner, to senior executives from major UK and European banks. 

The summit provided a unique platform for the industry’s brightest minds to converge and discuss the evolving landscape of banking. This year’s theme, “Leading Through Disruption,” could not have been more apt given the unprecedented transformations shaping our industry today. 

For thousands of years, banking has been the cornerstone of the global economy, facilitating everything from monumental world events to the daily financial activities of individuals. While disruption has always been part of this sector’s story, the pace and complexity of today’s changes are unlike anything we have seen before. 

At the heart of this disruption is a new generation of consumers, spanning all demographics, from Gen Z to Baby Boomers. What unites them isn’t age, but heightened expectations shaped by some of the world’s most innovative brands. Companies like Amazon, Uber, and Netflix have redefined customer experiences, offering personalization, relevance, and contextual intelligence at an unprecedented level. Their influence has fundamentally altered what customers expect from all service providers, including banks. 

This shift presents both a challenge and an opportunity for our industry. Consumers now demand banking experiences that are as intuitive, intelligent, and personalized as their favorite shopping, transportation, or entertainment platforms. Meeting these expectations isn’t just a matter of staying competitive—it’s a chance to redefine what banking can be. 

My vision for embracing this disruption centers on using advanced technology, particularly artificial intelligence, to deeply understand and anticipate each customer’s financial needs. By leveraging data and AI, banks can provide intelligent useful insights that empower customers to make smarter financial decisions that help them achieve their goals. This goes beyond offering products; it’s about creating truly personalized, contextual, and relevant experiences that democratize wealth management for everyone while bringing banks a strong ROI. 

Imagine a world where banks are not just service providers but trusted allies in their customers’ financial journeys. A world where every interaction—from product recommendations to financial advice—is tailored to help individuals achieve their goals. This vision isn’t a distant dream; it’s achievable today at scale, thanks to advancements in AI and digital technologies. 

We at Personetics believe that the future of banking actually depends on it.  

Judging from the number of times that the subjects of AI, hyper-personalization and financial health came up during the summit’s excellent sessions, it’s clear that key players in the world of finance feel the same way. Take for example, one of the summit’s keynote speakers, Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands. As a UN special advocate, Queen Máxima outlined four aspects of financial health, namely: Making ends meet, reaching long term financial goals, resilience, and confidence. She rightly pointed out that when bank clients and citizens are financially unhealthy, they have a high level of stress and mental health issues. 

For the banking industry, leading through disruption means fully embracing this opportunity to bring financial health through AI enabled personalization. It’s about transforming the way we think, operate, and engage with customers. When we do this, everyone wins; customers gain smarter financial tools and support, and banks unlock new avenues for growth and loyalty. 

We at Personetics believe that the future of banking actually depends on it. And, as Dame Alison Rose-Slade DBE—one of the banking world’s most influential women—noted in one of the sessions, over 150 monthly global monthly users of Personetics technology can attest to that. 

The future of banking lies in harnessing disruption to create meaningful value for every customer. By stepping into this role as financial allies, we can ensure a thriving, sustainable industry that meets the demands of the modern world.