FoF2025-Turn the tide

Firstly, we want to thank all our customers and partners who joined us at the Future of Finance. Your engagement is what turned a good conference into an unforgettable one.

This year’s theme Turn the Tide was a call to action for financial institutions to lead with intention in a world shaped by uncertainty. From rethinking economic systems and empowering communities to designing inclusive financial services and navigating transformative technologies, our keynote speakers offered powerful perspectives on what it means to lead change.

Relive the experience: Watch the aftermovie below and revisit the voices that inspired us to tune in before stepping up.

Tuning in before stepping up

At the opening of The Future of Finance, moderator Chantal Inen asked our CEO Michael Jongeneel to reflect on what Turn the Tide means to him personally, as a leader.  Michael shared that turning the tide, to him, begins with asking: “ What is society asking from you? What is your community asking from you?” He admitted these are not easy questions, but pointed to one essential starting point: openness. “The more we open ourselves up to what is happening around us,” he said, “the better we can truly sense what is expected from us.” Leadership requires us to listen first; tuning in before stepping up.

To turn the tide, keynote speaker Gaya Herrington, econometrist and sustainability researcher, called for a fundamental rethinking of our current economic system. “We need to replace the goal of growth with human welfare focus on education, health, and natural protection,” she said. But this shift, she emphasized, must begin at a deeply personal level. “Be open to sensing what wants to emerge through the cracks of the current system,” she said, “and build that out with entrepreneurship.” 

Dr. Purnima Devi Barman, internationally acclaimed wildlife biologist, also showed us what it truly means to Turn the Tide. Through her inspiring work, she has not only saved the endangered Greater Adjutant Stork, but also empowered women and communities in India. Her grassroots conservation efforts are a powerful example of how stewardship rooted in community can heal both ecosystems and societies. Dr. Barman’s story reminds us that meaningful change often begins at the local level, with care, courage, and collective action.

Behavioral economist Professor Eldar Shafir brought a sharp lens to the realities of financial decision-making under scarcity. “When people are juggling insufficient resources, their mental bandwidth is consumed by trade-offs,” he explained. “We must design financial services that take the local context into account.”

This insight was echoed by a participant from a microfinance institution in India, who described the challenge of tailoring financial products to cultural norms especially for women. Shafir agreed, noting that what works is often highly context-specific. His advice? “Pilot, pilot, pilot.”

On day two, futurist Bernard Marr described AI as the most powerful and transformative technology we’ve ever seen . Thanks to embedded computing and cloud technology, we’re collecting more data than ever and AI is making sense of it all. Right now, AI reacts to our prompts. But soon, it will evolve to have agency, we’ll give it goals, and it will carry out tasks independently. This shift is already underway. Where is this heading? Toward Artificial General Intelligence: AI that can match human capabilities across nearly every domain. It will analyze your data, spot patterns, and proactively deliver insights. But Bernard's message wasn’t about jumping on the tech bandwagon. It was about intentionality. “Step back,” he advised. “Ask: What are our challenges? Where can we add value to our customers? And how can AI help us do that?”

The final keynote came from Aya Chebbi, pan-African activist and feminist, who delivered a powerful message on finance, youth, and dignity. “Finance is not just about growth, it’s about dignity and resilience,” she emphasized. “Jobs without dignity don’t build stability; they build risk.” Aya challenged financial institutions to take a hard look at their portfolios. “Does your portfolio expand dignity? Does it close the gender gap? Does it unlock the power of young people?” she asked. “If not, you’re not turning the tide, it’s still business as usual.”

Her closing words struck a chord: “Money is storytelling,” she said. “The way capital flows tells the story of our values: are we choosing inclusion or exclusion, exploitation or empowerment?”