Every year around this time, I find myself deep in the final rush of preparations for our annual flagship conference. But this year feels different. Thanks to strong preparation and exceptional teamwork (thank you, Andrew!), we are ready and comfortably waiting to welcome you.

So now, between incoming emails and final checklists, I’m taking a moment at my desk to reflect on what The Banking Scene has become. Over 60 speakers will join us in Brussels, and although I’ve never seen the number of speakers as a benchmark for a great event, I’m incredibly proud of the quality of thought leadership represented, from all over Europe and beyond.

Who would have thought, back in 2017, that this would grow into more than a conference? Today, The Banking Scene is a platform for inspiration, a testing ground for ideas, and, perhaps most importantly, a mirror to the industry as it evolves. And these aren’t just my words, they come from C-level leaders who’ve joined our stage, responded to my sometimes surprising questions, and embraced topics well beyond the usual comfort zone.

This year’s edition The Banking Scene Conference Brussels, TBSCONF25BXL, promises to be our most dynamic yet.

On May 22, we’ll welcome over 400 professionals to Tour & Taxis, one of Brussels’ most iconic venues. For the first time, we’ll occupy the entire site. Why? Because the conversations have outgrown the rooms we used before. The questions are deeper. The expectations are higher.

And perhaps no theme captures this moment better than what I call the metamorphosis in banking. Across the sector, banks are shifting from traditional, product-led institutions to dynamic, service-oriented ecosystems, designed not just around technology, but around people. This transformation is not about adding a digital layer. It’s about changing how we think. It’s about agility, authenticity, and the courage to reimagine what a bank can be.

You’ll hear how this transformation is playing out: from Chase UK’s digital-first approach, to KBC’s sustained evolution, to the innovation stories of Beobank, MeDirect and Revolut. Whether it’s a neobank scaling fast or a century-old bank rebuilding from within, the common thread is clear: change is no longer a strategy, it’s a culture.

Payments: From European Sovereignty to Instant Expectations

If you’ve followed the news, you’ll know that instant payments are no longer optional. The EU’s Instant Payments Regulation is now law. Banks must comply before the year is out, but the real challenge isn’t compliance. It’s relevance. It’s about delivering value, inclusivity, and trust.

At TBSCONF25BXL, Craig Ramsey (ACI Worldwide) and Inge van Dijk (De Nederlandsche Bank) will explore this shift from infrastructure to impact.

We’ll also hear from Ralf Hamal (EPI) on the ambitions for a European-grown alternative to the global card schemes. If Europe wants true digital sovereignty, payments must be part of the answer.

And in a world shaped by geopolitical fragmentation and platform dependency, that answer must be bold. Gottfried Leibbrandt, Chairman of the Dutch Payments Association, will share his vision on how Europe can, and should, respond.

Fraud, Trust, and the Compliance Balancing Act

I’ve said it often: banking is built on trust. But trust is being tested like never before.

Fraud is evolving: becoming more scalable, more targeted, more personal. From APP scams to deepfakes, it’s not just systems under attack, it’s people. The UK’s Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) is leading with mandatory reimbursement frameworks. Similar discussions are underway across the EU.

That’s why our Fraud and Compliance track is so important this year. You’ll hear from leaders like Adam Preis (PING Identity), Rebekah Johnson (Numeracle), and Olivier Jolyon (EBA Clearing), who are helping shape a new model of trust: one that is digital, resilient, and human-centric.

One session I’m especially proud of will confront a reality we don’t discuss enough: the unintended exclusion caused by AML frameworks. With Belfius and UTSOPI, we’ll examine how sex workers in Belgium are being de-banked, not for criminal activity, but for being part of a misunderstood group. If we want finance to serve society, we have to address the shadows it can sometimes cast.

Artificial Intelligence: From Pilot Projects to Purpose

AI has now dominated the banking conversation for over three years. But this year, the conversation matures. The technology is maturing. The tone is shifting from curiosity to capability.

AI is no longer a research topic. It’s the backbone of modern banking.

At TBSCONF25BXL, we’ll hear Chase UK’s CEO Kuba Fast reflect on building a fully digital bank from scratch. We’ll spotlight BNP Paribas Fortis, Spuerkeess, Backbase, MeDirect Bank, Expleo, and Snowflake, as they show how AI is reshaping operations today.

For those looking even further ahead, Paolo Sironi (IBM) will share a provocative view on platform economics and contextual banking. As I explain in my book “A New Ethos in Banking,” this resonates deeply with me: AI must serve more than efficiency. It must support effectiveness, relevance, and meaning. Customers don’t just expect speed; they expect added value, personal progress, and reliability without compromise.

Regulation, Quantum, CBDC: Looking Beyond the Horizon

No conference is complete without a long view.

We’ll explore the Digital Euro with input from the European Central Bank, Digital Euro Association, and Solvay Business School, asking a deceptively simple question: What does this mean for your bank’s role in society?

We’ll also touch the edges of the next frontier: quantum computing. It won’t disrupt your core system next year, but it may well upend your cryptographic assumptions within a decade. And if you want to lead, you need to understand what’s coming.

A Final Word

When we designed this year’s programme, we weren’t chasing trends, we were embracing tensions.

Inclusion vs. compliance.
Resilience vs. cost.
Sovereignty vs. convenience.

These are the real fault lines shaping our industry.

That’s why I believe TBSCONF25BXL will be a turning point. A place to listen and to be challenged. A space where strategy, regulation, and technology meet human values. And yes, a place where we’ll enjoy each other’s company, over coffee, a meaningful debate, and, for those who know us well… a good Belgian beer.

If you’re working in financial services, whether in payments, compliance, innovation, or policy, this is your moment to connect, reflect, and help shape the future of our industry.

🔹 Date: May 22, 2025
🔹 Location: Tour & Taxis, Brussels
🔹 Details & Tickets: www.thebankingscene.com

I hope to see you there.

— Rik