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Usman Ahmed, Group CEO of National Bank of Bahrain, stated during his participation in the "Future of FinTech 2026" forum that the upcoming phase in financial services will not be a struggle between traditional banks and financial technology (FinTech) companies, but will instead rely on integration and leveraging the strengths of both sides.

Shifts in the Banking Model and Pillars of Strength

Ahmed explained that the banking model is moving toward unbundling customer interaction channels from products and balance sheets. While banks retain key competitive advantages—such as customer trust, strong capital, and solid balance sheets—sustaining these merits requires direct investment in enhancing user experience and relying heavily on technology and data.

Data and AI: The Weapons of Competition

The CEO highlighted that winning future competition will depend on financial institutions' ability to harness artificial intelligence and data analytics to understand customer behavior and offer tailored solutions.

Integration: The Path to Innovation

Ahmed emphasized that collaboration between the two sectors blends the banking expertise and regulatory compliance of traditional institutions with the agility and fast-paced innovation of FinTech firms. This sets the stage for a new era driven by digital infrastructure and customer experience to define the new leaders of the financial market.