Couchonomics with Arjun Fixing the Core: Why Legacy Banking Infrastructure Can’t Be Patched
The core of banking is broken, and duct-taping legacy systems won’t fix it.
This week on Couchonomics with Arjun, I’m joined by Myles Bertrand, CEO of Tuum, the modular core banking platform built in Estonia and now scaling across Europe and the GCC.
Tuum isn’t selling digital lipstick. They’re rebuilding the real plumbing of modern banking — one composable, cloud-native layer at a time.
💡 In this episode:
- Why full core replacement is a myth — and composability is the real unlock
- How to modernize without breaking everything (or everyone)
- What it takes to scale infra platforms into the GCC
- Where AI fits in — and where it doesn’t
- Why institutional banking might be the biggest opportunity for transformation
If you’re in banking, infra, SaaS, or scaling into MENA, this episode is required listening.
#couchonomicswitharjun #CoreBanking #BankingInfrastructure #DigitalBanking #ComposableInfra #Fintech #MENA #GCCStartups #AIinBanking #Tuum #FutureOfFinance #BankTech #SaaS #Leadership
Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:
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00:00 Episode Highlights
01:59 Myles' Journey to Estonia
02:58 The Story of TOMB
05:40 Challenges and Trends in Banking
10:18 Cloud and Banking Infrastructure
15:17 Complexity in Banking Systems
20:03 Regulatory and Cultural Challenges
25:38 Competitive Landscape in Core Banking
26:41 Banking as a Service Evolution
27:45 Challenges and Opportunities in the Market
29:46 The Role of Technology Providers
31:20 Core Banking and Integration Strategies
40:03 AI in Banking: Potential and Challenges
45:57 Cultural Shifts and Technological Adoption
49:12 Regional Focus and Future Plans
51:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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