EP1023: Talking strategy, tactics and evolution

More from IBS Intelligence Global FinTech Interviews All episodes →

1. 

   E1028 · 10 Aug 2026 · 22 min

   EP1028: AI Testing Boosts Trust in BFSI

   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 inc...

2. 

   E1027 · 10 Aug 2026 · 16 min

   EP1027: Building a stablecoin-powered Islamic digital bank

   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 finan...

3. 

   E1026 · 6 Aug 2026 · 22 min

   EP1026: The future of digital transformation

   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 associate...

4. 

   E1025 · 6 Aug 2026 · 23 min

   EP1025: From Hype to ROI: Making AI Pay Off

   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 toler...

5. 

   E1024 · 3 Aug 2026 · 18 min

   EP1024: Transformation is on the way

   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 ...

6. 

   E1022 · 31 Jul 2026 · 20 min

   EP1022: The Next Big Reform for MSMEs Is Digital Trust

   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 t...

7. 

   E1021 · 30 Jul 2026 · 23 min

   EP1021: The New Architecture of Credit

   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...

8. 

   E1020 · 8 Jul 2026 · 17 min

   EP1020: From AI Promise to Performance

   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 FinTech, 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.

9. 

   E1019 · 19 Jun 2026 · 23 min

   EP1019: Beyond Core Banking: The Rise of the Modern Bank Operating System

   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-...

10. 

    E1018 · 18 Jun 2026 · 18 min

    EP1018: The Gen Z and Gen Alpha battleground

    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 w...