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Financial Markets & Investor Protection

Interview: Advanzia Bank S.A. and Kodex AI on bank-FinTech collaboration

Published on 25 February 2025

The 3rd edition of the ABBL Bank CEOs - FinTechs Speed Meeting event, held on 20 January 2025, once again demonstrated the strength of Luxembourg’s financial ecosystem. The event brought together over 30 FinTechs and senior banking leaders to exchange ideas, explore opportunities, and drive collaboration, innovation, and digital transformation. Among the participants, Nishant Fafalia, CEO of Advanzia Bank S.A., and Dermod O'Connell, Sales Manager at Kodex AI, shared their insights on how this initiative fosters meaningful connections and supports progress within the financial industry. Watch the full video to hear their perspectives firsthand!

Summary

    A fresh perspective on FinTech-bank collaborations

    Reflecting on his first experience at the event, Nishant Fafalia highlighted the unique dual benefits of the speed meeting format:

    “It was my first time attending. I had planned to come last year, but it didn’t work out. This event offers two major benefits: first, it provides a macro perspective on the FinTech and banking landscape, and second, it allows you to quickly assess whether specific FinTechs might be relevant for your business. The mix of big-picture insights and practical meetings is incredibly valuable.”

    He also emphasised how Advanzia Bank S.A., which considers itself a FinTech bank, seeks to leverage external innovations:

    “For us, the key takeaway is finding partners that help us go to market faster, improve efficiency, and enhance our data management. Out of the six FinTechs I met, three are definitely relevant for us now, and we’ll follow up with them to explore potential collaborations.”

    Exploring new technologies and building future opportunities

    For Dermod O’Connell, the event offered an invaluable opportunity to present Kodex AI’s innovative solutions and connect directly with decision-makers:

    “This event is a fantastic chance for bank CEOs to stay updated on what’s happening in the FinTech world, especially regarding AI innovations. The interest from banks of all sizes was evident, and I had some great conversations in the lobby. The goal now is to follow up quickly, set up demo sessions, and move towards either a proof of concept (POC) or formal agreements.”

    He highlighted the importance of maintaining momentum after the event:

    “We’re setting up demo conversations as early as tomorrow. The energy is there, and we’re eager to show banks the power of our solutions and hopefully turn these discussions into concrete opportunities.”

    A promising future for Luxembourg’s financial ecosystem

    The event may be over, but for many participants, the real work is just beginning.

    “Transformation takes time, and these discussions must continue. We already have a follow-up event planned for early February, where many of the banks we met here will be present. The goal is to build on the momentum, deepen these conversations, and turn them into real business opportunities.” – Dermod O’Connell

    Watch the full interview to hear from Advanzia Bank S.A. and Kodex AI, and stay tuned for more insights from Luxembourg’s thriving financial ecosystem!