The 22nd Connected Banking Summit – Innovation & Excellence Awards 2025 concluded successfully at the Radisson Blu Riyadh Convention and Exhibition Center, bringing together top executives from the banking sector, technology leaders, policymakers, and fintech innovators. The summit served as a pivotal platform to define Saudi Arabia’s next phase of financial transformation, aligning with the nation’s Vision 2030 objectives for a dynamic, digital economy.
Vision 2030: From Ambition to Execution
Throughout the event, one message stood out clearly: Saudi Arabia’s financial sector is shifting from discussion to delivery. Banks and financial institutions are redesigning services, infrastructure, and customer engagement models with technology at the heart of every initiative.
This transformation underscores Vision 2030 not as a statement of intent but as a living operational framework driving measurable change across the Kingdom’s financial ecosystem.
Leadership Presence and Strategic Insights
The summit was graced by Mohammed AlSarrani, Deputy Director General of the Financial Sector Development Program (Ministry of Finance, KSA), who attended as Guest of Honour representing the Minister of Finance. His presence reinforced the national significance of financial modernization as a pillar of economic diversification and sustainable growth.
Key speakers and thought leaders provided actionable perspectives on digital transformation and resilience in banking:
- Soha Hussein Aboul Farag, CEO, Bank of Jordan KSA, emphasized trust-based digital adoption, aligning innovation with customer expectations and cultural context.
- Dhary Alshammry, Expert – Audit & Governance, highlighted resilience as a leadership responsibility, noting that governance, cybersecurity, and operational assurance must evolve alongside technological progress.
- Marat Ismagulov, Human Capital Management Director and Management Board Member, Alfa Bank, stressed that AI transformation depends on human capability — skills, structure, and decision-making remain as vital as the technology itself.
Executives from Zoom, Nintex, Newgen, Appice, and Alfa Bank shared real-world case studies demonstrating how AI, automation, and intelligent workflows are already improving efficiency and customer experience within financial institutions.
Core Themes Defining Financial Transformation
Discussions throughout the summit revolved around practical pathways to deliver meaningful transformation. The recurring themes included:
- AI-driven customer experience that enhances trust, personalization, and simplicity.
- Cyber and operational resilience as enterprise-wide imperatives.
- Open banking evolving from regulatory compliance to commercial value creation.
- Embedded finance integrating financial services seamlessly into everyday life.
- Organizational culture as the true enabler of large-scale transformation.
Delegates agreed that successful transformation requires alignment between technology, governance, and execution, ensuring innovation proceeds at the right pace and scale.
Recognizing Excellence in Digital Banking
The Innovation & Excellence Awards 2025 celebrated institutions that delivered tangible progress in digital transformation and customer-centric value creation. The winners included:
- Excellence in Digital Banking – Bank Albilad
- Best Use of AI in HR Tech – Alfa Bank
- Excellence in International Banking Partnership – Nintex
- Excellence in Digital Innovation – Appice
- Excellence in Regional Banking and Cross-Border Financial Services – First Abu Dhabi Bank KSA
These recognitions spotlighted organizations that have moved beyond strategy into measurable impact, redefining what excellence in modern banking looks like across the Middle East.
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