At Finastra’s recent US Executive Tech Retreat, industry leaders from various sectors gathered to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of fintech, focusing particularly on the dual facets of innovation and regulation. The event shone a spotlight on Finastra AI regulation insights, providing attendees actionable strategies on how artificial intelligence can accelerate digital transformation while navigating today’s complex compliance landscape.
Doyle Mitchell, President and CEO at Industrial Bank, shared the immense value he found in the discussions: “This event was incredibly valuable for our bank. The insights into AI and digital transformation will help us as we explore how to best integrate AI into our daily banking operations and better serve our customers. It’s also incredibly important to network with industry leaders and learn from their experiences. We’re thankful that Finastra and Microsoft brought us all together for a productive few days of collaboration.”
The retreat underscored the rapid pace of digital transformation, emphasizing the necessity for financial institutions to adapt to emerging technologies, particularly advancements in AI. Finastra’s partners participated by demonstrating their innovative solutions, allowing attendees to witness firsthand the tangible benefits these advancements can provide. One highlight included presentations from Microsoft, centered around agentic AI and its Secure Future Initiative. Additionally, participants toured Microsoft’s Azure Cloud Collaboration Center—a cutting-edge facility designed to visualize Azure’s operations at scale and foster centralized workspaces during critical incidents. These sessions delivered in-depth insights into Finastra’s AI regulation strategies, showcasing how financial institutions are aligning to meet evolving compliance requirements.
Key takeaways from the event highlighted several pivotal trends:
Banking technology is rapidly transforming. Financial services leaders are acutely aware of the shifting landscape; the pace of change has never been quicker. Since 2009, there has been a notable decline in brick-and-mortar branches, fueled largely by the rise of mobile and digital banking. The concept of “Digital Darwinism” encapsulates the struggle many face, wherein technology and society are evolving faster than the ability to adapt. Today’s customers expect personalized digital experiences that mimic in-person interactions—an expectation growing ever more challenging as physical banking spaces diminish. The pathway to future success hinges on product leadership, operational excellence, and a customer-centric approach. Financial institutions are now tasked with selecting tech partners that not only innovate but also align with their unique operational needs and those of their customers.
AI is accelerating, creating countless opportunities for innovation. The recent surge of generative AI tools is unveiling a myriad of new use cases and models within the financial services industry. Adam Lieberman, Chief AI Officer at Finastra, showcased groundbreaking advancements in AI technology, particularly in areas such as AI agents, large-scale tool management, and the innovative shift from traditional software sales to a model that emphasizes workflow through agents. There are vast opportunities for leveraging AI—be it through analyzing core data for decision-making or developing new customer engagement tools. Lieberman emphasized the need for financial institutions to keep pace with ongoing advancements as AI continues to evolve rapidly. Microsoft elaborated on the integration of financial services into an agentic AI realm, spotlighting personal, organizational, business process, and cross-organizational agents as the future framework of the industry.
The volatile regulatory environment presents both challenges and opportunities. The regulatory framework surrounding financial services is experiencing a significant transformation, influenced by shifts in political prioritization, legal challenges, and evolving market dynamics. While regulations may impose certain constraints, they also prompt financial institutions to ensure customer protection and uphold ethical responsibilities. This landscape presents opportunities for tech teams to scrutinize their technology stacks and processes with an eye toward improvement and adaptation.
Joe Gomez, General Manager of US Digital and Core Banking at Finastra, noted, “The US Executive Tech Retreat was all about conversation, thought leadership, and what the future holds for community banks and credit unions. The world is transforming rapidly, and it’s crucial for financial institutions to stay ahead of the curve. This event provided the perfect platform for us to share our vision and learn from one another.”
Steve Selleny, Senior Partner Development Manager at Microsoft, added, “We’re pleased with how engaged attendees were at this retreat, and we were proud to welcome Finastra and their customers to our campus to showcase all the important work we’re doing to enhance the customer experience. The financial services ecosystem is made stronger when partners collaborate and share knowledge. We thank all these community financial services leaders for joining us to learn more about AI, resilience, cloud technology, and innovation.”
The overarching message from the retreat was clear: Finastra’s insights on AI regulation are poised to shape the next wave of responsible innovation in financial services. The Executive Tech Retreat was coordinated in partnership with leading organizations such as Microsoft, Allied Payment Network, and Clinc, marking a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue surrounding the future of fintech.
