Banking Reinvented

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

Recorded at Backbase ENGAGE Americas, episode 52 of Banking Reinvented is a deep dive into the rapidly changing commercial banking landscape — and how EverBank is adapting alongside it.In this episode, host Tim Rutten is joined by two special guests: EverBank’s Christine Martin (Head of Treasury Management) and Vincent Ford (SVP, Digital Platform Manager). Together, they chat about how modern banks in the commercial space are transforming their approach to customer service, leveraging digital technologies, and preparing for a future increasingly shaped by AI.Tune in to learn about how EverBank is embracing tech advancements to create seamless digital experiences that meet the complex needs of businesses ranging from small enterprises to large corporations.–Curious to find out more about customer-centric banking? Follow us on LinkedIn:-> Backbase-> Jouk Pleiter-> Tim Rutten-> Christine Martin-> Vincent Ford-> EverBankStep into the future of finance -> Check out our content hubTimestamps(00:00) – Welcome to the “Banking Reinvented” podcast(00:43) – Intro to Christine, Vincent, and EverBank(02:40) – Top-of-mind issues in the banking industry(04:59) – Key shifts in the financial landscape(07:15) – Balancing technology investments and ROI(10:09) – The threat of disintermediation(11:39) – Key fintech players to keep an eye on(13:35) – The opportunities and risks of AI(15:37) – Getting started with AI adoption(18:26) – Exciting areas of the AI space(21:27) – Tips for adopting a leadership mindset(23:38) – Episode wrap-up

Recorded at Backbase ENGAGE Americas, Episode 51 of Banking Reinvented explores the massive opportunities that AI is presenting the banking industry — and the importance of acting now.In this episode, host Tim Rutten is joined by special guest Brian Shniderman, Senior Managing Director at Accenture and Head of Accenture’s North American Payments Practice. Together, they dissect the various stages of AI implementation, from predictive AI in back-office operations to the emerging world of generative and agentic AI, highlighting practical use cases like improved payment processing, fraud detection, and customer lifetime orchestration.Tune in to hear all the ways AI is dramatically reshaping banking customer experiences, operational efficiency, and competitive dynamics.–Curious to find out more about customer-centric banking? Follow us on LinkedIn:-> Backbase-> Jouk Pleiter-> Tim Rutten-> Brian Shniderman-> AccentureStep into the future of finance -> Check out our content hubTimestamps(00:00) – Welcome to the “Banking Reinvented” podcast(00:57) – Top-of-mind innovations in the AI space(02:13) – Swiftly and safely adopting AI(04:18) – Proven players in the AI banking sector(08:13) – Mid- and back-office applications for AI(12:15) – Use cases in the payments space(17:45) – The banking industry’s current mindset(23:20) – Key takeaways(25:20) – Episode wrap-up

Episode 50 of Banking Reinvented covers how your financial institution can super-charge its software development lifecycle (SDLC) with a hyper-effective new partner: agentic AI.This time around, host Tim Rutten is joined by Luca Mastrini, Global Vice President of Engineering Services at Backbase, for a conversation about the major developments in the banking SDLC over the last decade and the massive impact that AI agents are poised to make.Tune in to get key insights about adopting AI into your bank’s development process, including essential tips for augmenting your engineers, experimenting with large language models (LLMs), and applying change management across your team.–Curious to find out more about customer-centric banking? Follow us on LinkedIn:-> Backbase-> Jouk Pleiter-> Tim Rutten-> Luca MastriniStep into the future of finance -> Check out our content hubTimestamps(00:00) – Welcome to the “Banking Reinvented” podcast(00:53) – Intro to Luca(02:55) – Major shifts in the SDLC over the last decade(07:49) – Bringing AI into the SDLC(13:01) – AI’s role in the coding process(15:16) – Augmenting engineers with AI(20:26) – Experimenting with LLMs(22:41) – Mind-blowing developments in the SDLC(29:10) – Applying change management in the team(33:25) – AI’s impact on engineering team structure(36:11) – Key takeaways(38:27) – Episode wrap-up