HolyWally 👉 https://bit.ly/3h2hkWlIn part 2 of our episode with J.K. Khalil of Mastercard, the conversation shifted to the topic of AI and its impact on society. Vuk and J.K. discussed the rise of AI and its accessibility, as well as the potential positive and negative implications for society.Key findings from the episode:AI has been in development for decades, but it wasn't until the launch of ChatGPT that the world started paying more attention to it.The book "Stealing Fire" by Steven Kotler was referenced, which discusses the idea that every technology held by elites will eventually be stolen and given to the masses.ChatGPT is compared to Prometheus, who stole fire from Zeus to give to the people and suffered the consequences for it.AI has been used for years in industries such as finance to catch fraud and run cybersecurity routines.The accessibility of coding knowledge has made AI more broadly available and has led to an increase in use cases, from silly videos to more intelligent applications.The increased use of AI can have positive implications, but also potential negative consequences that need to be considered.The conversation on AI and its impact on society is an ongoing one, and this episode provides valuable insights into the topic. The rise of AI has the potential to revolutionize many industries and aspects of daily life, but it's important to consider the potential consequences and ensure that it is used for the greater good.The Change Officer Podcast's Future of Financial Services Series is brought to you by HolyWally, the world’s first wallet-as-a-service platform. To find out how HolyWally can help you create a mobile wallet to increase your revenue and reduce your time to market, visit their website: https://www.holywally.comFind J.K. online: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jkkhalil/🎬 This episode is produced by Poddster, an end-to-end video podcast production company that helps businesses conceptualize, produce, manage, and grow podcasts for their brand. Click this link to book a free consultation with Poddster's team or rent a studio: poddster.com/book-free-consultation/📹 Check out Poddster studio based in Dubai Media City: poddster.com/podcast-studio-dubai/✨ They say that change is the only constant. If this is true, we want to know what is the change ahead. To get the answers, our hosts Ivan Zeljkovic and Vuk Zlatarov are talking to the change-makers themselves. We invite you to join us on the journey of getting the answer ✨FOLLOW THE CHANGE OFFICER: www.thechangeofficer.comInstagram - www.instagram.com/thechangeofficerLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-change-officer-podcast/Twitter - twitter.com/changeofficer_TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thechangeofficer

HolyWally 👉 https://bit.ly/3h2hkWlIn this episode of The Future of Financial Services Podcast, host Vuk is joined by J.K. Khalil, General Manager, MENA East at Mastercard. J.K. brings a wealth of experience in technology, FinTech, and strategy consulting to the show, along with a deep understanding of the MEA markets. The discussion centres around the future of financial services, the power of partnerships, and the role of AI in this industry and beyond.In Part 1 of the episode:J.K. Khalil offers a unique perspective as an enabler of all other players in the industry, providing a bird's eye view of what's been happening and what's to come in the future.In this episode, they discuss the various ecosystem players and their views on the future of financial services, including retailers, fintechs, and tech enablers.They delve into the change that's been happening in the industry over the previous years, looking at how technology and innovation have transformed financial services.The power of partnerships is also discussed, with a focus on the importance of collaboration between traditional financial institutions and fintech startups.Finally, they touch on the role of AI in the industry and beyond, exploring its potential to revolutionize various aspects of our lives.With J.K. Khalil's insights on the future of financial services, listeners can gain a better understanding of the current state of the industry and what we can expect to see in the years to come. The conversation provides a valuable perspective on the power of partnerships and the role of AI, highlighting the potential for collaboration and innovation in the financial services sector.The Change Officer Podcast's Future of Financial Services Series is brought to you by HolyWally, the world’s first wallet-as-a-service platform. To find out how HolyWally can help you create a mobile wallet to increase your revenue and reduce your time to market, visit their website: https://www.holywally.comFind J.K. online: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jkkhalil/ 🎬 This episode is produced by Poddster, an end-to-end video podcast production company that helps businesses conceptualize, produce, manage, and grow podcasts for their brand. Click this link to book a free consultation with Poddster's team or rent a studio: poddster.com/book-free-consultation/📹 Check out Poddster studio based in Dubai Media City: poddster.com/podcast-studio-dubai/✨ They say that change is the only constant. If this is true, we want to know what is the change ahead. To get the answers, our hosts Ivan Zeljkovic and Vuk Zlatarov are talking to the change-makers themselves. We invite you to join us on the journey of getting the answer ✨FOLLOW THE CHANGE OFFICER: www.thechangeofficer.comInstagram - www.instagram.com/thechangeofficerLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-change-officer-podcast/Twitter - twitter.com/changeofficer_TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thechangeofficer

HolyWally 👉 https://bit.ly/3h2hkWlFor decades, there has been talk of technology taking over the world in the next 5 or 10 years. However, one industry that has managed to defy that convention has been banking. While many other industries have embraced technology and efficiency, banking remains steeped in tradition and heritage. To find out why, the renowned Steve Monaghan joins us for an in-depth analysis of how technological inventions could positively impact banking.Over his illustrious career, Steve has led the development and implementation of revolutionary technologies in artificial intelligence, digital health technology, and more. Steve's experiences in banking include leading the innovation team at DBS and generating an impressive 2.2 billion yen in profit for Shinsei Bank in Japan, which was operating at a 6 billion yen loss before his involvement. He is currently an investor and board member at a plethora of industry-leading companies such as RAKBANK, HolyWally, and Pulse iD. Technological gains are not realized overnight but with the small and steady accumulation of insights and knowledge over decades. Steve explains this dynamic as the cause behind uncertain timelines into the future. Technology may develop for years under the radar without much practical use and then suddenly explode in a matter of a few short years, such as is the case with AI, exemplified by ChatGPT.With his vast experience advising industry-leading companies such as Intel, AiA, and Veritas Genetics, Steve offers rich insights into how the banking industry can adopt emerging technologies and new understandings of economics to benefit the consumer and investor alike. Among many of the key points Steve discussed, a few that truly stood out were:How accelerating capital velocity could vitalize economiesUsing efficiency to tap into the power of economies of scaleThe philosophical shift of money and banking: From relationships to networksThe Change Officer Podcast's Future of Financial Services Series is brought to you by HolyWally, the world’s first wallet-as-a-service platform. To find out how HolyWally can help you create a mobile wallet to increase your revenue and reduce your time to market, visit their website: https://www.holywally.comFind Steve online: http://www.stevemonaghan.net 🎬 This episode is produced by Poddster, an end-to-end video podcast production company that helps businesses conceptualize, produce, manage, and grow podcasts for their brand. Click this link to book a free consultation with Poddster's team or rent a studio: poddster.com/book-free-consultation/📹 Check out Poddster studio based in Dubai Media City: poddster.com/podcast-studio-dubai/✨ They say that change is the only constant. If this is true, we want to know what is the change ahead. To get the answers, our hosts Ivan Zeljkovic and Vuk Zlatarov are talking to the change-makers themselves. We invite you to join us on the journey of getting the answer ✨FOLLOW THE CHANGE OFFICER: www.thechangeofficer.comInstagram - www.instagram.com/thechangeofficerLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-change-officer-podcast/Twitter - twitter.com/changeofficer_TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thechangeofficer

HolyWally 👉 https://bit.ly/3h2hkWlOliver Rajic led the pioneering technology firm Alpha FinTech in a wave of innovation that saw the company develop an industry-leading super app. As the Chief Growth Officer at PPRO now, Oliver shares his insights into how the intersection of Web 3.0 and our financial system may create unique synergies that result in greater productivity across the board. He details how working with cloud services has allowed for incredible economies of scale to provide intricate personalization models that have highlighted customization on the customer end.Oliver also shares his views on a few ways in which technology may be harnessed to produce solutions to seemingly unsolvable problems, such as: The evolution of the B2C fintech space driving growth at unprecedented levelsHow APIs make our incredibly interconnected world workHow Software-as-a-Service will redefine the banking industryThe Change Officer Podcast's Future of Financial Services Series is brought to you by HolyWally, the world’s first wallet-as-a-service platform. To find out how HolyWally can help you create a mobile wallet to increase your revenue and reduce your time to market, visit their website: https://www.holywally.comFind Oliver online: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliverrajic/🎬 This episode is produced by Poddster, an end-to-end video podcast production company that helps businesses conceptualize, produce, manage, and grow podcasts for their brand. Click this link to book a free consultation with Poddster's team or rent a studio: poddster.com/book-free-consultation/📹 Check out Poddster studio based in Dubai Media City: poddster.com/podcast-studio-dubai/✨ They say that change is the only constant. If this is true, we want to know what is the change ahead. To get the answers, our hosts Ivan Zeljkovic and Vuk Zlatarov are talking to the change-makers themselves. We invite you to join us on the journey of getting the answer ✨FOLLOW THE CHANGE OFFICER: www.thechangeofficer.comInstagram - www.instagram.com/thechangeofficerLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-change-officer-podcast/Twitter - twitter.com/changeofficer_TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thechangeofficer

HolyWally 👉 https://bit.ly/3h2hkWlDave Wallace is the founder of NMD+, an author, a podcaster in his own right, and the guest of our next episode. He joins us to share his rich experience with integrating digital technologies into emerging markets such as Hong Kong and Australia. Dave discusses how some of the essential changes that banks need to make related to speed and service delivery. Many core platforms are unable to match up with customer needs, prompting the question of cloud-based solutions, opening the door to economies of scale. Dave's discussion of the many changes in the modern financial system reveals a growing, aching need for more collaboration in banking. He cites real-life examples such as Monzo bank as an example of a neobank that has been able to innovate remarkable change in digitizing banking services. Dave also discusses: How people build personal relationships with their bankHow personalization represents a huge shift in the banking industryHow rapidly banking has transformed and will transform in the coming yearsThe Change Officer Podcast's Future of Financial Services Series is brought to you by HolyWally, the world’s first wallet-as-a-service platform. To find out how HolyWally can help you create a mobile wallet to increase your revenue and reduce your time to market, visit their website: https://www.holywally.comFind Dave online: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davejvwallace/🎬 This episode is produced by Poddster, an end-to-end video podcast production company that helps businesses conceptualize, produce, manage, and grow podcasts for their brand. Click this link to book a free consultation with Poddster's team or rent a studio: poddster.com/book-free-consultation/📹 Check out Poddster studio based in Dubai Media City: poddster.com/podcast-studio-dubai/✨ They say that change is the only constant. If this is true, we want to know what is the change ahead. To get the answers, our hosts Ivan Zeljkovic and Vuk Zlatarov are talking to the change-makers themselves. We invite you to join us on the journey of getting the answer ✨FOLLOW THE CHANGE OFFICER: www.thechangeofficer.comInstagram - www.instagram.com/thechangeofficerLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-change-officer-podcast/Twitter - twitter.com/changeofficer_TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thechangeofficer

HolyWally 👉 https://bit.ly/3h2hkWlOmar Halabieh, Head of Technology at Amazon Payment Services joins us as our 10th guest. By now, our panel of guests have managed to sketch an overarching theme of the vast and diverse financial landscape. If financial services are to achieve financial inclusion and answer for the 1.6 billion people unbanked, technology needs to be at the core of the solution.Omar believes that the biggest problem technology can solve is financial inclusion. Although 1.7 billion people worldwide do not own a bank account, it is estimated that up to 60% of that demographic own a mobile phone. This means that with the right technology and collaboration between fintechs and traditional financial institutions, these individuals could gain access to critical financial services. As payment technology continues to evolve, Omar says we will begin to see more practical uses for artificial intelligence and machine learning to aid risk prevention and fraud management. In this episode, Omar also discusses: How to balance the bar between security and customer experienceHow mobile phone penetration in Africa represents an opportunity for innovative fintechsWhat areas he would focus on as a change-maker; his surprise may shock you!The Change Officer Podcast's Future of Financial Services Series is brought to you by HolyWally, the world’s first wallet-as-a-service platform. To find out how HolyWally can help you create a mobile wallet to increase your revenue and reduce your time to market, visit their website: https://www.holywally.comFind Omar online: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omarhalabieh/🎬 This episode is produced by Poddster, an end-to-end video podcast production company that helps businesses conceptualize, produce, manage, and grow podcasts for their brand. Click this link to book a free consultation with Poddster's team or rent a studio: poddster.com/book-free-consultation/📹 Check out Poddster studio based in Dubai Media City: poddster.com/podcast-studio-dubai/✨ They say that change is the only constant. If this is true, we want to know what is the change ahead. To get the answers, our hosts Ivan Zeljkovic and Vuk Zlatarov are talking to the change-makers themselves. We invite you to join us on the journey of getting the answer ✨FOLLOW THE CHANGE OFFICER: www.thechangeofficer.comInstagram - www.instagram.com/thechangeofficerLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-change-officer-podcast/Twitter - twitter.com/changeofficer_TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thechangeofficer

HolyWally 👉 https://bit.ly/3h2hkWlThe payments revolution of the past few years shows no sign of slowing. In fact, propped up by the dizzying speed of eCommerce growth since the pandemic, fintech companies around the world have long prepared for a scenario referred to as the death of cash: the accomplishment of a completely cashless society. However, recent evidence has shown that some companies may have been a little too optimistic, and we still have a long way to go before that is realized. Tristan Brandt, Director of Design & Innovation at RAKBANK, dispels a few myths that have been propagated by the hype. Tristan believes that banks are not going to go anywhere for a long time. While the popular theory may be that people don't want banks, they need banking, Tristan takes the contrary viewpoint. He believes that there is real value in being a safe, trustworthy place to store money and that banks will not be replaced in this capacity any time soon. However, Tristan does admit that fintechs are doing a very important job: one that could redefine finance as we know it. In this episode of The Future of Financial Services: Tristan shares how the traditional approach to banks is mainly to store money and allow transactions for up to 99% of its clientele, and how many services are only offered to the 1% whose income can offset the costs of providing that serviceTristan points to wealth management and other ways of being smart with your money as examples of how fintechs are bridging the gap between the 99% and historically premium servicesThe Change Officer Podcast's Future of Financial Services Series is brought to you by HolyWally, the world’s first wallet-as-a-service platform. To find out how HolyWally can help you create a mobile wallet to increase your revenue and reduce your time to market, visit their website: https://www.holywally.comFind Tristan online: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristanbrandt/Find RAKBANK online: https://rakbank.ae/wps/portal/retail-banking🎬 This episode is produced by Poddster, an end-to-end video podcast production company that helps businesses conceptualize, produce, manage, and grow podcasts for their brand. Click this link to book a free consultation with Poddster's team or rent a studio: poddster.com/book-free-consultation/📹 Check out Poddster studio based in Dubai Media City: poddster.com/podcast-studio-dubai/✨ They say that change is the only constant. If this is true, we want to know what is the change ahead. To get the answers, our hosts Ivan Zeljkovic and Vuk Zlatarov are talking to the change-makers themselves. We invite you to join us on the journey of getting the answer ✨FOLLOW THE CHANGE OFFICER: www.thechangeofficer.comInstagram - www.instagram.com/thechangeofficerLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-change-officer-podcast/Twitter - twitter.com/changeofficer_TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thechangeofficer

A report by the MENA Fintech Association found that the region has historically been inclined to cling to cash payments, and the banking sector has been slower to adapt. Despite this, the report also concluded that 7 out of 10 payment transactions in the Middle East will be non-cash in 2023, with the UAE more specifically likely to account for 73 percent of payments in 2023. Bold and innovative fintech companies like Mamo are part of the driving force behind this change. In this episode of The Future of Financial Services brought to you by HolyWally, we spoke to Imad Gharazeddine, the Co-Founder and CEO of Mamo. Before starting the fintech, Imad spent 8 years with Google. Vuk and Imad dived into the factors contributing to the MENA region still having a largely cash-based economy, as well as the hidden costs of operating this way. They also explored how Mamo is empowering individuals and businesses to effortlessly access their money, and Imad's take on where the greatest opportunities lie in the financial services industry. In this episode, get the answer to crucial questions, such as: Why does the MENA region still operate as a cash-based economy? What was the initial premise behind starting Mamo? What challenges did Imad need to overcome to provide a solution to the problems faced by potential customers? What are the most pressing pain points that need to be solved in the region when it comes to the financial services sector? Where does the biggest opportunity in the financial services sector lie? Find Mamo online: https://www.mamopay.comFind Imad online: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imadgharazeddine/The Change Officer Podcast's Future of Financial Services Series is brought to you by HolyWally, the world’s first wallet-as-a-service platform. To find out how HolyWally can help you create a mobile wallet to increase your revenue and reduce your time to market, visit their website: https://www.holywally.com🎬 This episode is produced by Poddster, an end-to-end video podcast production company that helps businesses conceptualize, produce, manage, and grow podcasts for their brand. Click this link to book a free consultation with Poddster's team or rent a studio: poddster.com/book-free-consultation/📹 Check out Poddster studio based in Dubai Media City: poddster.com/podcast-studio-dubai/✨ They say that change is the only constant. If this is true, we want to know what is the change ahead. To get the answers, our hosts Ivan Zeljkovic and Vuk Zlatarov are talking to the change-makers themselves. We invite you to join us on the journey of getting the answer ✨FOLLOW THE CHANGE OFFICER: www.thechangeofficer.comInstagram - www.instagram.com/thechangeofficerLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-change-officer-podcast/Twitter - twitter.com/changeofficer_TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thechangeofficer

Open banking describes the process of banks and other traditional financial institutions opening up data for regulated providers to access, use and share with their customers' permission. In an age where most of us are concerned about our data privacy, this might sound unsafe, but putting these infrastructures in place allows banks to ultimately improve financial services for their customers. By sharing this data that they have previously kept in-house, new companies and new products can come to market and use this data in helpful, innovative ways. This is a game-changer for underbanked individuals who struggle to access financial services. We're joined today on The Future of Financial Services series by Mirna Sleiman, Founder & CEO of Fintech Galaxy, the MENA region's open finance and innovation platform. She has more than 15 years of experience in innovation programs, government affairs, investor relations, journalism, strategic digital communications and global partnerships. Mirna specialises in advising governments and financial institutions on digital transformation programs, making her the ideal subject matter expert to speak to about open banking and open finance. In this conversation, Vuk and Mirna dive into: The impact open banking will have on the future of the financial services industry How traditional banking leads to large numbers of people being underbanked and further excluded from access to crucial financial services Which of the big global and regional players will be the first to capitalise on the new opportunities presented by fintech The obstacles to developing an established open banking platform Mirna's take on the next big opportunity to open up in the open banking space Find Fintech Galaxy online: https://www.fintech-galaxy.comThe Change Officer Podcast's Future of Financial Services Series is brought to you by HolyWally, the world’s first wallet-as-a-service platform. To find out how HolyWally can help you create a mobile wallet to increase your revenue and reduce your time to market, visit their website: https://www.holywally.com🎬 This episode is produced by Poddster, an end-to-end video podcast production company that helps businesses conceptualize, produce, manage, and grow podcasts for their brand. Click this link to book a free consultation with Poddster's team or rent a studio: poddster.com/book-free-consultation/📹 Check out Poddster studio based in Dubai Media City: poddster.com/podcast-studio-dubai/✨ They say that change is the only constant. If this is true, we want to know what is the change ahead. To get the answers, our hosts Ivan Zeljkovic and Vuk Zlatarov are talking to the change-makers themselves. We invite you to join us on the journey of getting the answer ✨FOLLOW THE CHANGE OFFICER: www.thechangeofficer.comInstagram - www.instagram.com/thechangeofficerLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-change-officer-podcast/Twitter - twitter.com/changeofficer_TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thechangeofficer

Contactless payments soared during the height of the pandemic and with customers everywhere demanding greater convenience and a more frictionless payment experience, industry experts believe we are not far away from witnessing the introduction of biometric payments and other methods that negate the need for a physical device entirely. Today we are speaking to Hiren Raghuvanshi, the Head of Cards, Payments and Direct Banking at the Commercial Bank of Dubai. Hiren has more than 15 years of retail banking experience in the fields of product development and digital and retail growth strategy among many others.Join us as Hiren dives into: What needs to take place for biometric and facial recognition-based payments to become mainstreamThe main customer concerns about moving to completely cashless payment methodsThe next critical steps for banks to embrace a cashless economyFind Hiren online: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiren-raghuvanshi-97b25211/The Change Officer Podcast's Future of Financial Services Series is brought to you by HolyWally, the world’s first wallet-as-a-service platform. To find out how HolyWally can help you create a mobile wallet to increase your revenue and reduce your time to market, visit their website: https://www.holywally.com🎬 This episode is produced by Poddster, an end-to-end video podcast production company that helps businesses conceptualize, produce, manage, and grow podcasts for their brand. Click this link to book a free consultation with Poddster's team or rent a studio: poddster.com/book-free-consultation/📹 Check out Poddster studio based in Dubai Media City: poddster.com/podcast-studio-dubai/✨ They say that change is the only constant. If this is true, we want to know what is the change ahead. To get the answers, our hosts Ivan Zeljkovic and Vuk Zlatarov are talking to the change-makers themselves. We invite you to join us on the journey of getting the answer ✨FOLLOW THE CHANGE OFFICER: www.thechangeofficer.comInstagram - www.instagram.com/thechangeofficerLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-change-officer-podcast/Twitter - twitter.com/changeofficer_TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thechangeofficer

1.7 billion people globally are underbanked. In the MENA region more specifically, one in five adults do not have a bank account. The impact? In the words of one of our former guests, Andrew Gold, "If you don't have a bank account, you are now cut off from so many of those financial services that are really critical to establishing wealth, building wealth and raising your station in life." In this episode, we are tackling the issue of financial inclusion with Devid Jegerson, the Executive VP, and Head of Customer Experience and Platform Development at the National Bank of Fujairah. Devid dived into the factors that contribute to so many individuals being unbanked, how emerging technologies like blockchain and cryptocurrency can help, and what traditional financial institutions like banks can do to facilitate greater financial inclusion. Tune in to discover: The influencing factors leading to the increasing adoption of cryptocurrency and decentralised finance How banks can become a part of this evolution and offer more modern and inclusive services to everyone Where the biggest opportunity for growth in the banking and payments sector lies Host: Vuk ZlatarovFind Devid online: https://www.linkedin.com/in/djegerson/The Change Officer Podcast’s Future of Financial Services Series is brought to you by HolyWally, the world’s first wallet-as-a-service platform. To find out how HolyWally can help you create a mobile wallet to increase your revenue and reduce your time to market, visit their website: https://www.holywally.com🎬 This episode is produced by Poddster, an end-to-end video podcast production company that helps businesses conceptualize, produce, manage, and grow podcasts for their brand. Click this link to book a free consultation with Poddster's team or rent a studio: poddster.com/book-free-consultation/📹 Check out Poddster studio based in Dubai Media City: poddster.com/podcast-studio-dubai/✨ They say that change is the only constant. If this is true, we want to know what is the change ahead. To get the answers, our hosts Ivan Zeljkovic and Vuk Zlatarov are talking to the change-makers themselves. We invite you to join us on the journey of getting the answer ✨FOLLOW THE CHANGE OFFICER: www.thechangeofficer.comInstagram - www.instagram.com/thechangeofficerLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-change-officer-podcast/Twitter - twitter.com/changeofficer_TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thechangeofficer

One of the financial services spaces that fintech is most effectively disrupting is payments. Fintech innovation is making it easier than ever to make payments and get paid, eliminating the need for the clumsy and outdated systems involving IBANs and SWIFT codes that have dominated these processes for far too long.In this episode, we are unpacking the need for this revolution with Andrew Gold. Andrew previously worked for heavy-hitters such as Apple and Coinbase and he is now the Co-Founder and Head of Engineering at Ziina, the UAE’s first peer-to-peer payment app.Ziina is on a mission to simplify finance for everyone, allowing their customers to send and receive payments with just a phone number, with no IBAN or SWIFT code required. They offer bank-grade security and end-to-end encryption, delivering a next-generation financial services product that even the most sceptical customers can trust.In this highly informative conversation, Andrew shared his perspective on: The biggest problems with the financial services sector in the MENA region that have yet to be solvedThe barriers to entry that result in a large population of unbanked individuals and how fintech can connect them with essential financial services How traditional financial institutions and fintechs can and should partner for mutual benefit His top 3 key learnings about fintech customers in the MENA region and what they expect from fintech products Host: Vuk ZlatarovFind Ziina online: https://ziina.comThe Change Officer Podcast’s Future of Financial Services Series is brought to you by HolyWally, the world’s first wallet-as-a-service platform. To find out how HolyWally can help you create a mobile wallet to increase your revenue and reduce your time to market, visit their website: https://www.holywally.com🎬 This episode is produced by Poddster, an end-to-end video podcast production company that helps businesses conceptualize, produce, manage, and grow podcasts for their brand. Click this link to book a free consultation with Poddster's team or rent a studio: poddster.com/book-free-consultation/📹 Check out Poddster studio based in Dubai Media City: poddster.com/podcast-studio-dubai/✨ They say that change is the only constant. If this is true, we want to know what is the change ahead. To get the answers, our hosts Ivan Zeljkovic and Vuk Zlatarov are talking to the change-makers themselves. We invite you to join us on the journey of getting the answer ✨FOLLOW THE CHANGE OFFICER: www.thechangeofficer.comInstagram - www.instagram.com/thechangeofficerLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-change-officer-podcast/Twitter - twitter.com/changeofficer_TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thechangeofficer

What do you think is the most pressing pain point for SMEs in the MENA region? Pluto Card Co-Founder and CEO Mo Aziz believes it is the inefficiency of B2B payments and how they limit small businesses' ability to pay and get paid safely and seamlessly. Pluto Card is on a mission to revolutionise this process. Mo stepped up to the mic on The Future of Financial Services Podcast to share how he identified this need in the SME sector and how fintechs can provide a game-changing solution. He shared his insider perspective on some of the greatest challenges in tackling this problem, and why running a business is likely to become "dramatically" easier in the near future. In this rapid-fire episode, Mo delves into: Must-know fintech trends in the SME sector and the key influencers driving these movementsWhy B2B payments are a pain point for SMEs and how Pluto Card is innovating in this spaceWhere he expects the next big opportunity to appear in emerging markets overall Host: Vuk ZlatarovFind Pluto Card online: https://www.plutocard.io The Change Officer Podcast’s Future of Financial Services Series is brought to you by HolyWally, the world’s first wallet-as-a-service platform. To find out how HolyWally can help you create a mobile wallet to increase your revenue and reduce your time to market, visit their website: https://www.holywally.com🎬 This episode is produced by Poddster, an end-to-end video podcast production company that helps businesses conceptualize, produce, manage, and grow podcasts for their brand. Click this link to book a free consultation with Poddster's team or rent a studio: poddster.com/book-free-consultation/📹 Check out Poddster studio based in Dubai Media City: poddster.com/podcast-studio-dubai/✨ They say that change is the only constant. If this is true, we want to know what is the change ahead. To get the answers, our hosts Ivan Zeljkovic and Vuk Zlatarov are talking to the change-makers themselves. We invite you to join us on the journey of getting the answer ✨FOLLOW THE CHANGE OFFICER: www.thechangeofficer.comInstagram - www.instagram.com/thechangeofficerLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-change-officer-podcast/Twitter - twitter.com/changeofficer_TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thechangeofficer

Within the next two years, 4 billion people will be using digital wallets and the global mobile payments market size is expected to hit US$5.5 billion by 2024. EP2 of The Future of Financial Services explores how increasing mobile penetration, the notoriously high numbers of under- and unbanked individuals, and rapid development in the fintech space create opportunities for retailers and customers alike. Our expert guest is Pierre-Marie Desbazeille, the Chief Operating Officer for Al-Futtaim, one of the largest retail groups in the MENA region. He was instrumental in launching a digital wallet for Al-Futtaim that has seen widespread adoption across their customer base.Join us to learn about: Noteworthy shifts in customer behaviour over the last few years The opportunities digital wallets offer to the under- and unbankedHow retail groups can enable a digital wallet The unsolved problems in the retail sector that could open up exciting opportunities and solutions The Change Officer Podcast’s Future of Financial Services Series is brought to you by HolyWally, the world’s first wallet-as-a-service platform. To find out how HolyWally can help you create a mobile wallet to increase your revenue and reduce your time to market, visit their website: https://www.holywally.comHost: Vuk ZlatarovFind Pierre-Marie online: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierre-marie-desbazeille-b627b0/🎬 This episode is produced by Poddster, an end-to-end video podcast production company that helps businesses conceptualize, produce, manage, and grow podcasts for their brand. Click this link to book a free consultation with Poddster's team or rent a studio: poddster.com/book-free-consultation/📹 Check out Poddster studio based in Dubai Media City: poddster.com/podcast-studio-dubai/✨ They say the change is the only constant. If this is true, we want to know what is the change ahead. To get the answers, our hosts Ivan Zeljkovic and Vuk Zlatarov are talking to the change-makers themselves. We invite you to join us on the journey of getting the answer ✨FOLLOW THE CHANGE OFFICER: www.thechangeofficer.comInstagram - www.instagram.com/thechangeofficerLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-change-officer-podcast/Twitter - twitter.com/changeofficer_TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thechangeofficer

The financial services sector is one of the most rapidly evolving spaces in the financial world right now. As global business leader Arvind Sankaran said, "We are witnessing the creative destruction of financial services, rearranging itself around the consumer. Whoever does this in the most relevant, exciting way using data and digital wins." In this first episode of The Future of Financial Services series, we wanted to dive into the trends shaping how this "creative destruction" is taking place. There is no one better for tackling this topic than Arjun Singh. Not only is he Partner with Arthur D. Little's Financial Services Practice and a Board Member of the MENA Fintech Association, but Arjun is also an established and respected commentator in the fintech and startup ecosystem across the MENA Region and beyond. His wildly popular podcast, “Couchonomics with Arjun” and influential LinkedIn newsletter, “Fintech Crunch with Arjun V Singh” both provide unparalleled insight into the evolution of the fintech and financial services sector locally and internationally. Arjun shared his valuable perspective on: The need for regulators to take action when it comes to open banking and open financeThe continuing acceleration of contactless payments and the introduction of biometrics The long-term trend of decentralised finance and digital currencies and crypto becoming mainstream Why SMEs have been underserved in the past and how we can solve the problems they face Host: Vuk ZlatarovThe Change Officer Podcast’s Future of Financial Services Series is brought to you by HolyWally, the world’s first wallet-as-a-service platform. To find out how HolyWally can help you create a mobile wallet to increase your revenue and reduce your time to market, visit their website: https://www.holywally.com🎬 This episode is produced by Poddster, an end-to-end video podcast production company that helps businesses conceptualize, produce, manage, and grow podcasts for their brand. Click this link to book a free consultation with Poddster's team or rent a studio: poddster.com/book-free-consultation/📹 Check out Poddster studio based in Dubai Media City: poddster.com/podcast-studio-dubai/✨ They say that change is the only constant. If this is true, we want to know what is the change ahead. To get the answers, our hosts Ivan Zeljkovic and Vuk Zlatarov are talking to the change-makers themselves. We invite you to join us on the journey of getting the answer ✨FOLLOW THE CHANGE OFFICER: www.thechangeofficer.comInstagram - www.instagram.com/thechangeofficerLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-change-officer-podcast/Twitter - twitter.com/changeofficer_TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thechangeofficer

Welcome to The Change Officer Podcast’s Future of Financial Services Series. If change is the only constant, we need to understand how our industries are evolving, and how we can be a part of the transformation that is taking place. In this series, we are deep-diving into some of the hottest and most pivotal topics in the financial services industry right now, including personalisation in financial services, embedded financial services and the mobile payment revolution. To gain an informed and accurate perspective, we are speaking to innovative individuals from banking institutions, insurance carriers, retailers, regulatory bodies and fintechs who are spearheading change in their industries. Join us as we seek the answers to critical questions, such as: What does the future hold for the financial services sector? What are the key enabling technologies that will bring about change? How can we effectively navigate this rapidly evolving space? And where should we look for the next big, disruptive idea?This series is brought to you by HolyWally, the world’s first wallet-as-a-service platform. To find out how HolyWally can help you create a mobile wallet to increase your revenue and reduce your time to market, check out their website: https://www.holywally.comHost: Vuk Zlatarov 🎬 This episode is produced by Poddster, an end-to-end video podcast production company that helps businesses conceptualize, produce, manage, and grow podcasts for their brand.Click this link to book a free consultation with Poddster's team or rent a studio: poddster.com/book-free-consultation/📹 Check out Poddster studio based in Dubai Media City: poddster.com/podcast-studio-dubai/✨ They say the change is the only constant. If this is true, we want to know what is the change ahead. To get the answers, our hosts Ivan Zeljkovic and Vuk Zlatarov are talking to the change-makers themselves. We invite you to join us on the journey of getting the answer ✨FOLLOW THE CHANGE OFFICER: www.thechangeofficer.comInstagram - www.instagram.com/thechangeofficerLinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/the-chan…-officer-podcastTwitter - twitter.com/changeofficer_TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thechangeofficer