Banking Reinvented

Episode 62 of Banking Reinvented explores the evolving role of technology in private wealth management and how institutions can strike the right balance between innovation, compliance, and human connection.Host Tim Rutten sits down with Stuart Cummins, Chief Executive of Nedbank Private Wealth International, to discuss how technology is reshaping the sector, not just as an enabler, but as a strategic pillar for growth. Together, they discuss how Nedbank is using AI and selective tech investments to streamline operations and empower advisors, which he calls creating "institutional elegance."Tune in to learn how Nedbank is navigating the intersection of digital transformation and human connection while staying grounded in the values of trust and integrity.–Curious to find out more about customer-centric banking? Follow us on LinkedIn:-> Backbase-> Jouk Pleiter-> Tim Rutten-> Stuart Cummins-> Nedbank Private Wealth InternationalStep into the future of finance -> Check out our content hubTimestamps(00:00) – Welcome to the “Banking Reinvented” podcast(00:47) – Introduction to Stuart and Nedbank Private Wealth Intl.(02:50) – Overview of topics(04:50) – Tech in the wealth management space(07:45) – Overcoming hurdles and driving tech change(12:31) – Regulatory and compliance spend(15:11) – The increasing role of AI(21:02) – Boosting efficiency to be more competitive(25:19) – Microsoft’s sovereign European cloud(27:29) – Augmenting private bankers with cutting-edge technology(31:20) – Final words from Stuart(34:04) – Key takeaways(36:34) – Episode wrap-up

Recorded live at Backbase ENGAGE Americas, Episode 61 of Banking Reinvented is a panel discussion that deep-dives into mergers and acquisitions, which aren’t just accelerating — they’re becoming a defining feature of the modern financial landscape.In this episode, moderator Alex Jimenez is joined by an all-star panel of M&A experts, including Carla Higgins (CNB Bank), Sumeet Grover (UFCU), Osman Ulhaq (OneAZ Credit Union), and Nate Porter (West Monroe). Together, they discuss everything from recent trends to customer/member impact and ways to balance the promise of growth with the complexity of integration.Tune in to hear from the leaders who are making the M&A journey work, whether as buyers, sellers, or strategic partners helping to drive transformation at scale.–Curious to find out more about customer-centric banking? Follow us on LinkedIn:-> Backbase-> Jouk Pleiter-> Tim Rutten-> Carla Higgins-> Sumeet Grover-> Osman Ulhaq-> Nate PorterStep into the future of finance -> Check out our content hubTimestamps(00:00) – Welcome to the “Banking Reinvented” podcast(00:49) – The current state of M&A in banking(03:57) – The increasing prevalence of M&A at credit unions(05:15) – Balancing desire for growth with complexity of integration(08:38) – Getting cultural buy-in from employees and leadership(14:04) – The difference between mergers at smaller and larger institutions(18:41) – Tailoring M&A playbooks to individual institutions(24:04) – Navigating pitfalls in M&A(27:41) – Using M&As as an opportunity to acquire better tech(30:32) – M&As for the purpose of reaching new segments(32:10) – Acquiring banks for the license(37:53) – Cleaning up your data during an M&A(40:11) – Aligning charters in the credit union space(43:21) – Episode wrap-up

In the second episode of this two-part series, host Tim Rutten and Abdullah Alwabel, Head of Digital Banking and Innovation at BSF, shift the discussion from ambition to execution.From prioritizing the right features to applying AI where it actually delivers value, Abdullah shares how leadership clarity and internal ownership helped turn strategy into results at BSF. For digital leaders navigating complexity, this episode offers a practical view into how banks can build high-performing cultures.Tune in to hear how strong leadership, smart trade-offs, and cultural alignment can shape transformation that lasts.–Curious to find out more about customer-centric banking? Follow us on LinkedIn:-> Backbase-> Jouk Pleiter-> Tim Rutten-> Abdullah Alwabel-> BSFStep into the future of finance -> Check out our content hubTimestamps(00:00) – Welcome to the “Banking Reinvented” podcast(00:22) – Recap of part one and introduction to Abdullah(00:46) – Strategic prioritization and balancing trade-offs(03:46) – Platform decisions and feature focus(06:35) – BSF’s outside-in approach to AI(09:48) – AI in internal development and delivery(11:29) – Barriers to deeper AI adoption(18:01) – Leadership behaviors and internal ownership(19:45) – Episode wrap-up

In the first episode of this two-part series, host Tim Rutten sits down with Abdullah Alwabel, Head of Digital Banking and Innovation at BSF, to unpack one of the most ambitious digital transformations in the region.From core modernization to platform replacement, BSF's journey reflects a bold, urgent, customer-first strategy grounded in Saudi’s Vision 2030, a strategic framework for societal transformation. Together, they discuss trade-offs, delivery speed, the leadership mindset, and the shifting expectations of consumers throughout the region.Tune in to find out how BSF is balancing urgency with execution to meet the demands of a new era — and how your bank can do the same.–Curious to find out more about customer-centric banking? Follow us on LinkedIn:-> Backbase-> Jouk Pleiter-> Tim Rutten-> Abdullah Alwabel-> BSFStep into the future of finance -> Check out our content hubTimestamps(00:00) – Welcome to the “Banking Reinvented” podcast(00:48) – Introduction to Abdullah(02:42) – Vision 2030 and the urgency to digitize(05:55) – Public sector pressure and shifting customer expectations(09:16) – Competition moving from customer acquisition to transaction-level(12:23) – BSF’s approach to building flexibility and infrastructure(15:29) – Core and platform transformation explained(22:30) – Managing trade-offs during platform implementation(24:30) – Platform timeline and the decision to go big(25:42) – Why BSF took full ownership of its transformation(33:06) – Episode wrap-up

Recorded live at Backbase ENGAGE Americas, Episode 58 of Banking Reinvented shares a panel discussion about the growth opportunity of commercial banking, featuring insights from some of North America’s top digital leaders.In this episode, moderator Arun Ramamoorthy is joined by Christine Martin (EverBank), Jessika Wood (Fifth Third Bank), and Shannon Lambert-Habermehl (BOK Financial) for an in-depth discussion about the commercial banking space. Together, they chat about the best ways to respond to impactful trends, overcome critical challenges, and navigate the complexity of an increasingly competitive market.Tune in to learn more about customizing offerings for various market segments, modernizing customer experiences at speed, and balancing in-house innovation with best-of-breed technologies.–Curious to find out more about customer-centric banking? Follow us on LinkedIn:-> Backbase-> Jouk Pleiter-> Tim Rutten-> Arun Ramamoorthy-> Christine Martin-> Jessika Wood-> Shannon Lambert-HabermehlStep into the future of finance -> Check out our content hubTimestamps(00:00) – Welcome to the “Banking Reinvented” podcast(00:48) – Introduction to topics and speakers(04:59) – Trends in commercial banking(08:16) – Segmentation in the commercial space(12:23) – Collaborating and competing with fintechs(14:45) – Improving the commercial onboarding experience(19:51) – Creating seamless experiences for commercial customers(21:50) – The best approaches to payment modernization(25:26) – Innovation in instant payments(30:56) – The opportunity of cross-border payments(33:52) – Balancing in-house innovation and best-of-breed technologies(40:40) – Final thoughts from the panelists(43:43) – Episode wrap-up

Episode 57 of Banking Reinvented explores how MyState Bank is building sustainable, customer-centric growth through progressive modernization and cultural discipline.Host Tim Rutten is joined by Brett Morgan, CEO and Managing Director of MyState Bank, who shares firsthand insights into scaling a regional bank into a national player. The conversation covers MyState’s ambitious strategy to grow beyond Tasmania, its investment in a digital banking platform, and the customer-first principles that guided its recent merger with Auswide Bank. Brett also shares honest reflections on leadership through transformation and how focusing on customer delight, not just delivery, creates lasting business value.Tune in to hear how MyState is driving operational scale, integrating cultures, and laying the groundwork for a unified tech stack, all while protecting the customer experience.Curious to find out more about customer-centric banking?Follow us on LinkedIn:-> Backbase-> Jouk Pleiter-> Tim Rutten-> Brett Morgan-> MyStateStep into the future of finance -> Check out our content hubTimestamps(00:00) – Welcome to the “Banking Reinvented" podcast(01:02) – Introduction to Brett Morgan(01:39) – Why MyState needed to scale beyond Tasmania(03:07) – Growing through mortgage brokers and digital reach(04:20) – Replacing legacy tech: investing in a digital banking platform(05:03) – Embedding a culture of customer-first growth(06:22) – From organic to inorganic: the case for merging with Auswide(07:13) – Making the merger work: cultural alignment and team buy-in(09:17) – Delivering shareholder value through scale and cultural fit(11:20) – Regulatory approvals, leadership alignment, and day-one readiness(15:46) – Managing tech stacks and protecting the customer experience(18:55) – Tackling post-merger complexity(21:36) – AI’s role in powering smarter banking experiences(30:07) – Key takeaways(32:08) – Episode wrap-up

Episode 56 of Banking Reinvented covers how financial institutions across Asia are addressing the urgent need to become future-ready, fast.Host Tim Rutten is joined by Ravi Kittane, Partner, Financial Services at EY in Malaysia, who shares boardroom-level insights into why digital transformations fail — and how banks can succeed with a disciplined, modular approach. Together with perspectives from Riddhi Dutta, Backbase RVP of Sales (Asia), the episode explores why banks are moving beyond point solutions to embrace platform thinking, establishing a unified foundation for innovation, operational resilience, and long-term growth.Tune in to hear straight-from-the-boardroom strategies for launching your bank’s transformation, embedding resilience, and leveraging a modular platform to build future-ready digital banking experiences.–Curious to find out more about customer-centric banking?Follow us on LinkedIn:-> Backbase-> Jouk Pleiter-> Tim Rutten-> Riddhi Dutta -> Ravi Kittane-> EYStep into the future of finance -> Check out our content hubTimestamps(00:00) – Welcome to the “Banking Reinvented" podcast(00:28) – Introduction to Riddhi Dutta and Ravi Kittane(01:05) – Overview of topics(03:22) – Boardroom priorities: scalability, cost efficiency, regulatory pressure(06:57) – Challenges in executing digital transformation(10:16) – Operational resilience and why spaghetti architectures no longer work(13:16) – Evolution from monolithic tech to modular platforms(16:44) – What progressive modernization really means(20:05) – Picking the right starting point for transformation(27:04) – Embedding AI in customer journeys(28:13) – AI’s role in transforming risk, advisory, and service(29:32) – Voice, text, and telepathic interfaces of the future(32:28) – Key takeaways (34:07) – Episode wrap-up

Recorded live at Backbase ENGAGE Americas, Episode 55 of Banking Reinvented is a panel discussion about overcoming AI implementation hurdles and seizing the massive opportunity that this cutting-edge tech presents.In this episode, host Tim Rutten sits down with Brian Shniderman (Accenture), Kathleen Woodard (Microsoft), and Larry Lerner (McKinsey) to explore real-world AI applications, from intelligent automation to predictive insights.Tune in to hear how financial institutions are scaling AI responsibly, overcoming regulatory challenges, and future-proofing their tech stacks.–Curious to find out more about customer-centric banking? Follow us on LinkedIn:-> Backbase-> Tim Rutten-> Brian Shniderman-> Kathleen Woodard-> Larry LernerStep into the future of finance -> Check out our content hubTimestamps(00:00) – Welcome to the “Banking Reinvented” podcast(00:21) – Panel introduction(01:02) – Introduction to panelists(02:18) – Understanding the opportunity of AI in banking(09:42) – Factors holding banks back from adopting AI(15:46) – Most relevant, current-day use cases of AI in banking(22:38) – Responsibly adopting AI in banking(29:40) – The increasing pace of innovation(33:04) – Empowering employees with AI(37:39) – Execution tips from Brian, Kathleen, and Larry(42:52) – Episode wrap-up

Recorded at Backbase ENGAGE Americas, Episode 54 of Banking Reinvented delves into the complex landscape of digital transformation, particularly the increasingly important role of artificial intelligence (AI).In this episode, host Tim Rutten welcomes special guest Alicia Stone, Senior Vice President and IT Director at KeyBank. The two discuss the challenges of transforming traditional financial institutions while maintaining seamless customer service, highlighting the critical balance between digital innovation and operational stability.Tune in to hear how your bank can take a strategic approach to integrating advanced tech, including AI, predictive analytics, and embedded banking.–Curious to find out more about customer-centric banking? Follow us on LinkedIn:-> Backbase-> Jouk Pleiter-> Tim Rutten-> Alicia Stone-> KeyBankStep into the future of finance -> Check out our content hubTimestamps(00:00) – Welcome to the “Banking Reinvented” podcast(00:27) – Intro to Alicia and KeyBank(01:24) – Banking modernization in the era of AI(05:04) – KeyBank’s AI journey so far(06:30) – Getting started with implementing AI(09:18) – Foundational building blocks for unlocking growth mode(11:32) – “Leaning in” for AI(13:14) – Alicia’s advice for banking leaders(15:58) – Key takeaways(17:30) – Episode wrap-up

Recorded at Backbase ENGAGE Americas, episode 53 of Banking Reinvented explores University Federal Credit Union’s (UFCU) member-centric approach to digital transformation and innovation.In this episode, host Tim Rutten is joined by special guest Sumeet Grover, EVP, Chief Strategic Growth & Digital Officer at UFCU. Together, they chat about the importance of exceeding member expectations at every touchpoint, empowering financial literacy across life stages, and using AI to create more personalized, efficient banking experiences.Tune in to hear about UFCU’s ambitious goal to become the most digitally advanced credit union in the country — while maintaining its focus on financial wellbeing and community support.–Curious to find out more about member-centric banking? Follow us on LinkedIn:-> Backbase-> Jouk Pleiter-> Tim Rutten-> Sumeet Grover-> UFCUStep into the future of finance -> Check out our content hubTimestamps(00:00) – Welcome to the “Banking Reinvented” podcast(00:47) – Intro to Sumeet(01:27) – Improving members’ financial wellbeing(04:49) – Meeting members’ needs vs. focusing on being competitive(08:48) – ESG and financial literacy(12:21) – The role of a growth officer(15:13) – The building blocks of digital transformation(18:33) – Balancing digital experiences with the human touch(20:45) – UFCU’s AI journey so far(22:57) – Embracing Agentic AI(24:02) – Tips for adopting a leadership mindset(26:05) – Episode wrap-up