editor FROM THE

Dear Readers’

I am pleased to present Issue 52 of Global Banking & Finance Review. For those of you that are reading us for the first time, welcome.

Featured on the front cover is our 2023 Business Woman of the Year - South Africa, Christine Wu, Absa Group Limited. Headquartered in Johannesburg, with over 150 years of African heritage and having developed a significant footprint across the continent, Absa Group Limited has worked to position itself as Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together ... one story at a time. Christine Wu joined Absa in 2019 as an Executive member of Absa Retail and Business Banking business. In 2022, she transitioned to Everyday Banking as a Managing Executive: Consumer product, where she is responsible for ensuring Absa’s overall success in the consumer banking segment. She takes end-to-end accountability for core product performance and the transformation into a digital and data first business. Her portfolio includes transactional banking, card issuing, personal loans and savings and investments. In addition to traditional product responsibilities, she also leads the digital, design and advanced analytics capabilities. Christine has been credited with providing the business with a renewed edge and greater customer centricity. Looking ahead, she is geared up for even greater success, leveraging Absa's strong presence in South Africa with the distinctive data and digital capabilities to create .to create an empathetic digital bank. (Page 26)

Milan-based asset management company Arca Fondi SGR has a rich history spanning four decades. Founded with a view to serving the typical Italian saver with a basic understanding of finance and a low-risk propensity, Arca Fondi SGR specialises in long-term investing. Ugo Loeser, CEO of Arca Fondi SGR revealed in his interview with me that when the company’s story started 40 years ago, it was based on four core values. Turn to page 18 to find out how Arca Fondi SGR remains proactive in meeting the evolving investment needs.

Mário Amaral, Managing Director and CEO of Hemera Capital Partners (HCP) answers my questions on Southern Africa’s economic potential, the opportunities HCP has identified for investors, and the range of different funds it offers in order to capitalise on them. He also provided insight into its H-IMPACT initiative, which drives impact through the support of clients’ sustainability strategies and ESG activities. (Page 32)

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

30

Banking

Banking and AI: how can we ensure ROI?

Marshall Choy, SVP of Product, SambaNova Systems

Banking on data: How storage powers digitalised banking

Grigory Nikonov, Systems Engineer, Western Digital

Currency cure: Should the Fed and the BOE adopt an “Atlantic Declaration” on CBDCs to avert further banking crises?

Leon Gauhman, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Product Office, lsewhen

12

Business

Is your business being crushed by big data? Don’t worry, help is at hand

Colin Bryce Managing Director, Cobry

Fostering trust in the hybrid work model: overcoming challenges and maximizing potential

David Vander, CEO, LiveTiles and BIAN Board Member

Preparing for turbulence: building business resilience for 2023 and beyond

Edgar Randall, Managing Director, Dun & Bradstreet UK&I

Unlocking the potential of familyfriendly employment laws

Adrian Lewis, Director, Activ People HR

By Vanessa Bagnato, Director of Product Marketing,

Read it on page 18

At 40 Years Old, Arca Fondi SGR

Remains Proactive in Meeting

Evolving Investment Needs

Ugo Loeser | CEO | Arca Fondi SGR

Read it on page 32

Hemera Capital Partners: Identifying Diverse Opportunities Too Big To Be Ignored

Mário Amaral

Managing Director & CEO

Hemera Capital Partners

Christine Wu of Absa Group Limited: Driving Digital Security and Innovative Customer Experiences