Agenda 2025

A candid look at how U.S. policy and influence shape the strategic and security choices of Europe. What are the hidden vulnerabilities of overreliance, and how can Europe strengthen resilience in an increasingly fragmented geopolitical landscape?

Key takeaways from the five Landscapes - Tuning strategy into disruption

Challenger and digital-first banks are not just using new tools—they are reframing risk itself. This keynote explores how embedded data, agile models, and customer-centric design shift the perception and management of risk compared to traditional incumbents.

Fraud is evolving as fast as digital banking itself, with AI, automation, and cross-border networks fueling the rise of sophisticated crime. This talk examines the latest fraud patterns, why banks remain exposed, and what is required to stay ahead.

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This panel takes a broad view of resilience by connecting digital transformation, geopolitical uncertainty, and the persistent challenge of financial fraud. With fraud as a frontline issue and symbol of wider vulnerabilities, experts will debate how banks can move from defensive tactics to integrated resilience strategies that protect trust, ensure stability, and maintain competitiveness in a world where risk is unavoidable.

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Interest rates, growth, and capital availability are the forces that define the playing field for every bank. In a Europe navigating slower growth, persistent inflation pressures, and tighter liquidity, understanding these forces isn’t optional, it’s survival. This landscape brings the economist’s perspective into sharp focus: where are rates headed, how resilient is European growth, and what does the future supply of capital mean for banks, corporates, and investors alike?

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‍As capital and investors become more selective, the rules of engagement in capital markets are changing. This keynote explores how European banks and corporates are adapting deal structures, financing approaches, and capital-raising strategies in response to evolving market conditions. From debt issuance to equity markets, the session highlights what it takes to secure funding in an environment defined by higher rates, tighter liquidity, and heightened investor scrutiny.

This talk challenges the industry to rethink competition versus collaboration. From shared infrastructures to cross-border compliance, European banks must confront the inefficiencies that weaken their collective strength in the global financial arena.

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In her keynote, Riikka Laine-Tolonen, CEO of S-Bank, will share how the Finnish “supermarket bank” is charting its rise through a bold, customer-centric playbook. Her strategy centers on purposeful expansion and digital-first excellence leveraging the acquisition of Handelsbanken’s Finnish retail operations to boost expertise and diversify offerings, all while aiming to become Finland’s fourth-largest household bank and serve one million active customers by 2027. By combining seamless mobile-first service with free daily banking, broader fund access, and real-world coop benefits, Laine-Tolonen demonstrates how clarity in strategic choices fuels both growth and meaningful performance.

Resident host Teppo Havo from Danske Bank, together with the event organisers, will open the Nordic Banking Forum by welcoming participants, framing the day’s themes, and setting the tone for an engaging exploration of the five landscapes. This session connects the audience to the purpose of the Forum—providing clarity, inspiration, and practical insight for the strategic choices that will shape tomorrow’s Nordic banks.

• Welcome to Nordic Banking Forum
• Introduction to the five Leadership Landscapes
• From Risk to Resilient Growth: what’s at stake for Nordic banks

Open banking was supposed to democratize finance. Has it really? This session challenges the industry to answer whether open finance is unlocking real revenue and customer value, or if it risks becoming another costly regulatory box-ticking exercise.

This keynote examines how platform models, open finance, and embedded services are reshaping competition. It highlights how banks can shift from siloed products to ecosystem-driven value creation while navigating the trade-off between control and collaboration.

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A dynamic discussion bringing together banking leaders, fintech executives, and strategists to debate the forces that will shape value chains such as AI-powered services, embedded finance, partnerships, and customer ownership. The panel will explore what these trends mean for both digital banking and service focused strategies, and how incumbents can adapt their business models to sustain growth and performance.

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The closing keynote ties together the day’s insights by addressing the central challenge for incumbent banks: how to turn legacy into leverage. By combining the trust built over decades with strategic focus and operational excellence, banks can transform established strengths into customer-centric value propositions that stand the test of time. This session offers a roadmap for resilience and relevance in an era of disruption.

Enjoy an afternoon drink as the spirit and mingle intensifies

Regular and VIP lunches served

Networking & Breakfast