NBE”s Emad Shawky: AI is Shifting Corporate Banking Toward Predictive Services and Proactive Client Support
Emad Shawky, Head of Corporate Banking at the National Bank of Egypt (NBE), stated that digital transformation in corporate banking is advancing beyond the mere digitization of traditional processes. It is now entering a sophisticated phase driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics, enabling banks to anticipate corporate needs before they are formally requested.
Speaking today at the 27th Connected Banking North Africa 2026 Summit in Cairo, Shawky explained that corporate banking fundamentally revolves around providing credit facilities. He outlined a corporate banker's three main responsibilities: client acquisition and marketing, day-to-day relationship management, and preparing financial and sectoral studies to secure committee approvals for client funding.
The Evolution to 'Smart Banking':
Shawky traced the sector's evolution from the traditional, branch-centric, and manual model prevalent 30 years ago, through the digitization phase that enhanced speed and accuracy, into the era of system interoperability. Today, the industry has reached the 'smart banking' phase. Banks are no longer limited to analyzing past events; they are now capable of predicting future trends.
AI as a Co-Pilot for Relationship Managers:
Understanding client needs is the core of corporate banking, Shawky emphasized, noting that AI can serve as a vital co-pilot for relationship managers. For instance, an AI system could predict that a specific company will require an EGP 100 million credit facility in two months. This early insight allows the banker to proactively secure funding lines and committee approvals before the client even submits a request.
This predictive power shifts the banking paradigm from asking 'What happened?' to 'What is happening?' and ultimately, 'What could happen?'
The VAR Analogy: Letting Business Flow
To illustrate the relationship between technology and banking, Shawky used a football analogy. A good bank, he said, is like a good referee who lets the game flow smoothly without stopping play for every minor detail. By minimizing bureaucratic hurdles—such as excessive document requests and signatures—banks facilitate seamless business operations.
He likened AI to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology. VAR does not replace the referee; rather, it intervenes to flag critical issues or provide necessary guidance without disrupting the natural flow of the game. Similarly, AI should act as a supportive tool that alerts bankers to red flags or necessary interventions without complicating every transaction for the client.
The 'Easy Bank' Concept:
Shawky concluded by challenging financial institutions to embody the 'Easy Bank' concept. The true measure of an easy bank, he explained, is whether it is the first point of contact for a corporate CFO or Treasurer when a financial need arises. If a client prefers a competitor due to smoother systems, the bank has failed this test. He cited a recent meeting with the CFO of a major multinational home appliances group as a practical example of how banks must continuously assess their clients' facility utilization patterns to remain the preferred financial partner.