editor FROM THE

Dear Readers’

I am pleased to present Issue 50 of Global Banking & Finance Review. For those of you that are reading us for the first time, welcome.

Responding to growing challenges within financial crime, NICE Actimize and its CEO Craig Costigan launched multiple product innovations this past quarter –ranging from anti-money laundering and enterprise fraud to case management. I caught up with Costigan on the eve of its customer event, ENGAGE, where the financial services industry's top experts in financial crime, risk, and compliance meet to talk about essential breakthroughs impacting their businesses’ bottom lines and customer interactions. (Page 24)

The Crèdit Andorrà Group has completed the unification of the Creand brand in Andorra and internationally, one of the major goals of the 2020-2023 Strategic Plan. The group is entering a new era, projecting its solid track record into the future. Turn to page 36 to read my exclusive interview with Creand Crèdit Andorrà CEO Xavier Cornella to find about more about the rebranding, the bank’s strong performance and plans for the future.

Founded in 1983, Ahli Bank QPSC (Ahlibank) is a Qatari-owned financial institution that serves individual consumers, small businesses and corporate customers. Ahlibank aims to deliver unmatched convenience and personal, simple banking experiences that highlight its tagline “With You.” It has thus seen rapid growth. Derek Kwok, Ahlibank’s Head of Treasury & Investments, spoke with us about the driving force behind the bank’s strong performance, following a year in which the bank outstripped its previous record, achieving a profit of QR 772 million for 2022, and having seen a year-on-year net profit increase of 6.9% in the first three months of 2023. (Page 18)

We strive to capture the breaking news about the world's economy, financial events, and banking game changers from prominent leaders in the industry and public viewpoints with an intention to serve a holistic outlook. We have gone that extra mile to ensure we give you the best from the world of finance.

Enjoy!

Wanda Rich Editor

10

BANKING

Five data trends that will define the future of banking

Andy Haigh, Head of Banking and Capital Markets, DXC Technology

22

What has your bank done for you lately?

Alex Hamilton, Copywriter, Independent creative agency, isobel

20

Business

Mergers & Acquisitions? More like Migraines & Aggravation

Neil Vernon, CTO Gresham Technologies

30

The Bright Spots of Opportunity

Amid a Seemingly Dead Global M&A Market

Bjorn Reynolds, CEO

Safeguard Global

34

How bosses can future-proof their business and talent through technology

Ruairi Kelleher, General Manager for Europe, Atlas

44

Companies need to take preventative measures in tackling corruption and fraud

Viktor Josefsson, Director, Forensic Risk Alliance

48

What you need to know before hiring C Suite executives as a scale-up

Rafael S. Lajeunesse, Founder and CEO, ReachX

By Elizabeth Tobey, Head of Marketing,

Read it on page 18

Ahlibank: Innovative Banking Solutions in an Ever-Challenging Investment Environment

Derek Kwok, Head of Treasury & Investments, Ahlibank

Read it on page 36