I was really surprised to be awarded this title and am extremely grateful. For me, this recognition reflects the innovative spirit of the entire fintech community in Switzerland.

Over the last 40 years, the intersection of finance and technology has seen several significant innovations that have fundamentally changed how financial services are delivered, how markets function, and how customers interact with financial institutions. My top 3:

• The introduction of electronic trading systems in the 1970s and 1980s, which replaced traditional floor trading. This was followed in the 1990s by the rise of algorithmic trading and high-frequency trading. Switzerland led the way with the SIX Exchange, which went live in 1995.
• The rise of the Internet in the 1990s and the development of mobile devices in the 2000s changed the way customers manage their finances and use banking services. Digital payments such as PayPal in 1998 revolutionized the processing of transactions. E-banking was launched in Switzerland in 1997, and UBS introduced its first mobile banking service in 2006.
• The emergence of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin in 2008 and Ethereum led to a new asset class and a new way of thinking about money and financial transactions. Here too, Switzerland was at the forefront with Sygnum Bank, the first digital asset bank founded in 2018.

I have a long list of wishes, from the balance between regulation and flexibility to improving access to the capital market. My three biggest fintech wishes would be:

• Rapid implementation of a standardized electronic identity (eID) to simplify Know Your Customer (KYC) processes and support SSI-based products and services. Government-approved eID enables the population to verify their identity online. This facilitates seamless processes for the administration and for companies. eID will also enable faster and more efficient customer identification for banks.
• Improved ESG data transparency: Creating standardized, trustworthy sources of ESG data will help investors make informed decisions and support sustainable finance initiatives.
• Advancement of the integration of fintech into the existing banking infrastructure. This includes supporting open banking and embedded banking initiatives that enable the secure exchange of data between banks and third-party providers.

And another wish: We should be more vocal in praising the positive impact of the fintech sector and its merits. Other countries like Singapore may be in the spotlight – our strength lies in implementation. We could emphasize our implementation strengths better.
 

At ti&m, I am currently focusing on several key initiatives. We are working intensively on integrating advanced technologies such as AI and distributed ledgers to improve and expand our banking solutions. Another important topic is the further development of our online identification solution. For example, Swisscom uses ti&m Online Identification for Swisscom Sign to make digital signatures easily available to the entire population. I am also very pleased to support the expansion of our branch office in Singapore. I particularly value the interaction with ti&m’s 600+ employees. ti&m promotes a culture of cooperation and innovation in which all employees feel valued and supported – I think that’s just great!

The innovative strength of banks is largely driven by technological developments. Many of the most significant innovations in the banking sector, such as mobile banking apps, digital currencies, tokenization, automated advisory services, and cybersecurity, are direct results of technological advances. Without these external innovations, banks would not be able to keep pace with customer expectations and requirements. Technology partners like ti&m enable financial institutions to react quickly to changes in the market by providing innovative technologies and customized solutions.

We have to realize that we can hardly get a grip on the new digital financial world and its risks with the traditional instruments and at the existing levels. It is a learning process, because it is not yet clear where the development is heading. Will the financial system simply become more efficient and convenient for customers? Or is digitalization changing the core of the banking business and leading us into a world in which traditional intermediaries no longer play a role? It is almost impossible to answer these questions from today’s perspective. Active, collaborative partnerships between banks and innovative, agile technology partners like ti&m make an important contribution to the stability of the financial industry.