Connected Banking Summit 2025: Saudi Accelerates AI Banking

The Connected Banking Summit 2025 in Riyadh gathered senior bankers, fintech innovators and policymakers to advance Saudi Arabia’s digital banking transformation under Vision 2030. Hosted at the Radisson Blu Riyadh Convention and Exhibition Center, the event emphasized AI-led customer experience, cybersecurity resilience and open banking as drivers of financial inclusion. Key figures included Mohammed AlSarrani from the KSA Ministry of Finance, Soha Hussein Aboul Farag of Bank of Jordan KSA and Alfa Bank’s Marat Ismagulov. Discussions highlighted trust-based digital adoption, enterprise-wide governance, and the human capital needed to scale AI projects. Technology partners such as Zoom, Nintex, Newgen and Appice shared real-world automation and intelligent workflow implementations boosting efficiency and user engagement. The Innovation & Excellence Awards recognized institutions moving from announcement to execution. Winners included Bank Albilad for digital banking, Alfa Bank for AI in HR Tech, Nintex for international partnerships, Appice for digital innovation and First Abu Dhabi Bank KSA for cross-border services. The summit showcased how aligned technology, governance and execution can accelerate financial transformation, offering valuable insights for traders monitoring Saudi Arabia’s evolving digital finance ecosystem.
Neutral
The Connected Banking Summit 2025 focused on digital banking transformation and AI-driven financial services rather than direct cryptocurrency initiatives. While improved digital infrastructure can support future crypto adoption, the summit offered no immediate policies or partnerships affecting trading or blockchain markets. Similar past banking forums have had neutral impact on crypto prices, suggesting this event will not sway short-term market movements. Long-term, expanded digital finance and open banking frameworks in Saudi Arabia could create opportunities for institutional crypto services, but tangible effects remain speculative.