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Join on Telegram Mohammedia – The 22nd Connected Banking Summit – Innovation & Excellence Awards 2025 has concluded at the Radisson Blu Riyadh Convention and Exhibition Center, with leading banking personalities, fintech innovators, technology players, and government representatives gathering to shape the future of the financial world in Saudi Arabia.
The event was a crucial platform that highlighted innovation in the context of inclusion, marking the beginning of the financial transformation journey currently underway in the Kingdom.
Not only a conference, it has also served as an embodiment of Vision 2030, switching from policy discussions to the practical application on the ground.
The financial organizations in Saudi Arabia are working on overhauling their structure, services, and approach to consumers with the help of technology, indicating that the future of technology integration is already here.
Vision 2030 in motion
The essence of the discussion was the acknowledgment that the financial sector in Saudi Arabia is currently in the execution stage.
Mohammed AlSarrani, Deputy Director General of the Financial Sector Development Program (Ministry of Finance, KSA), attended as Guest of Honour on behalf of the Minister of Finance, marking the commitment of the Saudi government to the financial transformation of the country, ensuring that financial innovation is consistent with the long-term economic plans of the Saudi Vision 2030 strategy.
Noted leaders from the banking and fintech community presented their valuable outlook on resilience, governance, and digital adoption. Dr. Soha Hussein Aboul Farag, the CEO of Bank of Jordan KSA, delivered keynotes on trust-driven digital transformation, pointing out the importance of technology syncing with the needs of consumers and the values of society.
Dhary Alshammry, Expert in Audit and Governance, highlighted the importance of embedding innovation in good governance, cybersecurity, and operational effectiveness, with leadership anchoring the foundation for their successful implementation.
Marat Ismagulov, Human Capital Management Director and Board Member of Alfa Bank, also presented his valuable outlook on artificial intelligence, stating the importance of human capital for its successful scalability — with the right skills, structure, and decision-making.
Executives from Zoom, Nintex, Newgen, Appice, and Alfa Bank also shared practical case studies on how automation, AI, and intelligent workflows are already optimizing efficiency and improving customer experiences across financial institutions.
Innovation and excellence recognized
Key discussion themes throughout the summit revolved around AI-driven customer experiences, cybersecurity, open banking, embeddable finance, and organizational culture as the foundation for transformation.
Speakers highlighted the importance of synergy in financial innovation, between technology, governance, and implementation, in order to build trust and simplicity throughout the process.
The Connected Banking Innovation & Excellence Awards 2025 recognized organizations that have made significant progress in digital banking and customer value.
Honorees 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 highlighted organizations moving beyond vision statements into measurable progress, showcasing how innovation is being embedded into the daily operations of the financial sector.
About the organizer
The summit was organized by the International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA), thereby asserting the organization’s position as one of the leading drivers of global gatherings of decision-makers, innovators, and policymakers over the years.
ICSA is known for its capabilities in the design of platforms for collaborations, interactions, and sharing of knowledge in various fields, some of which include banking, technology, sustainability, and digital transformation.
Through executive forums and strategic summits like the Connected Banking series, the organization continues to shape the dialogue around the future of industry leadership and innovation.
