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DFS Dialogue: FinTechs and banks joining forces in welcome trend
Collaboration and not collision of interests is the emerging pathway for FinTech companies and banks to build a better economic system in the UAE and the world. This is the message coming out of Dubai International Financial Centre where 10 head honchos came together for the second of Dubai FinTech Summit (DFS) Dialogues, a precursor series to the main event on May 8 and 9.
Mohammad AlBlooshi
The 10 speakers deliberated the challenges which face the financial sector, and how the industry can de-risk while building sustainable institutions. Host Mohammad AlBlooshi, Head of DIFC Innovation Hub and FinTech Hive, said: “As an industry predicated on confidence and trust, we are currently seeing the banking sector experience a time of disruption. Given global headwinds, we have an opportunity to build more resilient institutions through collaboration between banks and FinTechs.”
According to recent research by Report Ocean, the global FinTech lending market was valued at approximately US$ 573 billion in 2021. It’s expected to grow at a healthy cumulative growth rate of more than 27.4% over the forecast period of 2022-2029.
Banks v FinTechs is history
The FinTech sector, widely recognised as a major competitor to banks, is expected to double in size from $135.9bn in 2021 to $266.9bn in 2027, according to a 2022 report by DIFC FinTech Hive. Additionally, with approximately 50 per cent of the MENA region currently unbanked or underbanked, FinTechs have been playing a crucial role in promoting inclusive economic growth in the region.
Ten head honchos from banks and FinTechs came together to discuss disruption in the industry. Trescon Global
However, a unanimous takeaway from all banks at the DFS Dialogue captured how both entities are in fact symbiotic. Sanjay Sethi, Senior Managing Director, Head of Global Transaction Banking at First Abu Dhabi Bank, said, “this is an age of collaboration and co-creation where leading financial institutions and pioneering FinTechs can embark on a journey of innovative discovery together. This is especially true when we look at opportunities to expand into new geographies, improve product capabilities, grow revenues, or scale or optimise our business faster and more efficiently. Alongside this, FinTech solutions in transaction banking are growing in agility every day.”
Earlier this year, the UAE Central Bank announced the implementation of its Digital Dirham currency strategy, which promises to be a critical step in the country’s payments industry. “As such, the synergy between banks and FinTechs proves to be unavoidable as the industry inches towards a cashless economy,” added AlBlooshi.
Enhancing trust
A report by Economist Impact and supported by Google has predicted that the financial services and banking industry will emerge as the primary spender for AI technology in the MENA. The industry will make up nearly 25 per cent of all AI investments in the region, with banking tech alone expected to contribute 13.6 per cent to the region’s gross domestic product by 2030.
Mehdi Tazi, Chief Operating Officer, Lean Technologies, stated, “I believe customers still trust banks more than FinTechs – they are larger more established institutions. However, something FinTechs do very well is streamlining processes when helping onboard customers into these larger banks. As a result, we are seeing a marriage between FinTech and banking that enhances the customer’s journey, ultimately building trust.”
The Global Digital Payments Leader VISA joins Dubai #FinTech Summit as Co-host #breakingnews https://t.co/bWLM0WUek2 #business #news
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The onset of Web 3.0 ushers in a transformative moment for financial services, capital markets and banking, shifting customer expectations and revolutionising the sector. The total transaction value of embedded finance is estimated to reach $7 trillion in 2026, as per Rakesh Reddy, CEO, Cloud4u, “This is particularly useful for Platform as a Service (PaaS) providers who will strongly benefit from this growth, undeniably becoming a key industry disruptor.”
Nilay Singh, Chief Executive Officer, State Bank of India, DIFC, pointed out, “We cannot ignore AI. It has to be adopted but cleverly and effectively, and this is where we need to understand what to outsource and when to collaborate.”
With a unified goal to enhance inclusive banking solutions for the region, traditional financial establishments are optimistic in growing partnerships with FinTech companies to bridge gaps and stay ahead of the curve strategically.
More such conversation starters will be on show at the Dubai FinTech Summit, to be held at Madinat Jumeirah on May 8-9. Visitors can purchase tickets with early bird prices available until 15 April 2023.
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A new car showroom dedicated to luxury supercars has opened near the Equiti metro station on the busy Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai.
Set up by the accomplished automobile stalwart Sarabdeep Singh Bassi with his Man Friday Walid Al Balushi, the showroom opening witnessed a range of Lamborghinis, Ferraris, McLarens, Mercedes and Bentleys along with some top options in the Land Rover range as well for a rich sampling of the showroom’s USP. The inauguration ceremony was graced by UAE businessman and SJM Group chairman Sheikh Juma bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum as the chief guest.
Bassi is a veteran of Dubai’s automobile circuit with showrooms for used and mid-range cars in three emirates – Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi – since 2004 when he landed from the United States, where too he operated in the similar industry but around trucks and transport for a brief while.
According to Balushi, now is as good time as any to have a cars showroom for the upper echelons of the society. “Our Emirati folks are always a keen, regular market, but we also see a lot of Russians and people from the adjoining regions looking up high-end cars.”
An attendee poses in front of a grey McLaren and red Ferrari at the Oscar Cars showroom in Dubai. Photos Joy Dasgupta / Headline.ae
This showroom is the latest addition to their Advantage Motors brand which deals in mid-range levels of cars in the three emirates.
“Already the response is very good,” Bassi said on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony amid much fanfare. “We have more expansion plans like opening other automotive businesses after this. Our customers are from all over UAE and from other countries as well like Russia, Middle East countries, China, All Over Africa, and others. We are also promoting electric vehicles sale which are environment friendly.”
The vast showroom on the Sheikh Zayed Road, diagnonally across the Mall of Emirates, is laid out over 7,000 square feet and separate parking, with the best of knowledgeable staff at hand to help buy and sell the cars, along with other services like buying premium number plates, etc.
The region’s top customer-centric solutions provider, Data Direct Group, and SurveySparrow, a leading customer experience (CX) management platform, have partnered to revolutionise the customer experience landscape in the Middle East.
Through the strategic alliance of the Dubai-based Data Direct Group and SurveySparrow, the objective is to provide outstanding CX solutions for brands, enabling them to craft remarkable experiences for their customers, according to Rajiv Dalmia, Data Direct Group (DDG) founder and chairman. DDG has been a pioneer in the CX domain with its advanced tech solutions for over two decades.
Rajiv Dalmia, Founder-chairman of Data Direct Group
“The customer experience industry is poised to embark on a transformative journey. This collaboration promises to redefine the very essence of customer satisfaction, elevating it to unprecedented heights. With innovation at its core, the partnership aims to revolutionise the way customers engage with businesses, fostering deeper connections and seamless interactions,” Dalmia said.
“For us, it felt like the perfect opportunity to join forces with a leading player in the Middle East as organisations in the region are increasing focus on enhancing their AI capabilities and CX infrastructure.
“By leveraging Data Direct Group’s proficiency in digital transformation services and solutions alongside SurveySparrow’s comprehensive omnichannel CX solutions, this partnership will empower organisations to promote loyalty, enhance brand equity, and offer more customer value”, said Shihab Muhammed, who founded the omnichannel experience management platform in 2017.
It has served over 200,000 clients across 149 countries so far. With the establishment of a custom data center in UAE, SurveySparrow has bolstered its commitment to ensuring top-notch security measures for the Middle East region.
“There’s no doubt that by harnessing these technologies, businesses can gain a deeper understanding of customer behaviour, enabling them to deliver personalised brand experiences and that is where this partnership comes in optimising customer journey mapping for an enhanced CX like never before,” he added.
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