Workshop | Future of Finance Summit 2018

Artificial intelligence for everyone

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are changing the face of finance and are being rapidly adopted for a range of applications in the financial services industry. Many applications, or “use cases”, of AI and machine learning already exist. The adoption of these use cases has been driven by both supply factors, such as technological advances and the availability of financial sector data and infrastructure, and by demand factors, such as profitability needs, competition with other firms, and the demands of financial regulation. Some of the current and potential use cases of AI and machine learning include:

Financial institutions and vendors are using AI and machine learning methods to assess credit quality, to price and market insurance contracts, and to automate client interaction.
Institutions are optimising scarce capital with AI and machine learning techniques, as well as back-testing models and analysing the market impact of trading large positions.
Hedge funds, broker-dealers, and other firms are using AI and machine learning to find signals for higher (and uncorrelated) returns and optimise trading execution.
Both public and private sector institutions may use these technologies for regulatory compliance, surveillance, data quality assessment, and fraud detection.

In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of modern AI as well as some of the representative applications of AI. Along the way, we also hope to excite you about the numerous applications and huge possibilities in the field of AI, which continues to expand human capability beyond our imagination. In a world full of uncertainty, the only thing that is certain is the need to evolve.

Delegates attending this one-day workshop will gain complimentary access to the two-day – Future of Finance Summit 2018 – the most influential annual forum that brings together a wide range of players – banks, internet finance companies, asset managers, insurance companies, investors and customers.

Artificial Intelligence for everyone

08:00	Registration
09:00	Fundamentals of AI AI is a field that has a long history but is still constantly and actively growing and changing. During this session you’ll learn: Artificial intelligence for everyone – Past and present Definitions: AI, machine learning (including deep learning, reinforcement learning), data analytics, customer science, etc. Present-day usage AI within the corporate context Significance and urgency: Why now, and why you?
10:30	Coffee/Tea break
11:00	AI in the industry – Practical applications and benchmark leaders A selection of practical applications Statistics, uncertainty and graphical models Strategic approaches: Commissioning versus procurement (build or buy?) AI maturity models and the enabling preconditions within your organisation to use AI well by looking at data, skills, tools, metrics, and others
12:30	Luncheon
13:30	Assessing raw data in your organisation to be used for AI projects What data assets do you have, where does it live, who owns those systems, where are the gaps, and how could you fill them by (e.g. buying data or installing sensors)? What skills do you have access to from your part of the business, and what might be lacking? What tools do you use, what is missing and what other options are there?
14:30	Selection of projects and assessment for AI use Overview of the four key criteria for successful project selection and how to assess them Group exercise: Create a project longlist (often categorised broadly within marketing, operational efficiency, operational effectiveness, and commercial optimisation) Scoring longlist against key criteria and group discussion
15:30	Coffee/tea break
16:00	How to manage an AI project in your organisation Similarities and differences Project lifecycle and timescales Project delivery methodology Typical staffing profiles Cost estimates for external suppliers (for data science as a service and for consulting) Performance metrics Operations and maintenance Governance and risk management
17:00	End of workshop

For more details, please contact:

Melissa Ballesteros

(+1) 602 419 5155

mballesteros@theasianbanker.com

Big data and cloud in finance

The vast proliferation of data and increasing technological complexities in cloud infrastructure continue to transform the way industries operate and compete. Over the last two years, 90 percent of the data in the world has been created, averaging to about 2.5 quintillion bytes of data on a daily basis.On top of that, just about every enterprise CIO has cloud migration and security in their top strategic mandates, and about 70% of organizations have at least one application in the cloud.

As more and more businesses realise the value cloud and data analytics provides to their success, they are clamouring for solutions that will let them harness the power of these technologies, while retaining control of their IT environments on-premises. As financial services trend towards big data and automation, human emotion and bias can be lessened, increasing accuracy of complexity of statistical techniques.

The Asian Banker is pleased to present a series of workshops during The Future of Finance Summit 2018, which will create and inspire leaders from all over the world. In this workshop, you’ll learn the role of big data in the financial sector, how to utilise and analyse data the right way in order to create a profitable growth for your institutions, the essential characteristics of cloud infrastructure and different service models needed when selecting a cloud service.

Workshop trainer:

Ming Zhao,
Professor, School of Computing, Informatics and Decision Systems, Arizona State University, USA

Big data and cloud in finance

08:00	Registration
09:00	Big data landscapeand the role of big data in the financial sector The velocity of data has changed, as well; rather than inputting data on a fixed frequency, institutions are now dealing with continuous flows of data that can, if properly harnessed, be used to generate reports in real-time, with live, streaming updates. But where does it come from? How do we make the best use of it? In this session we will learn: Key sources of big data: People, organisations and sensors V’s of big data: Volume, velocity, variety, veracity, valence, and value Real-world big data problems How big data can increase profits and growth for your financial institution
10:30	Coffee/Tea break
11:00	Becoming a big data-driven institution Businesses that have honed their craft in big data technologies have become industry game changers. Amazon, eBay, Lazada have transformed the retail industry through personalised product recommendation and customised consumer content because of their data-focused foundation. Banks and other financial institutions undertaking the transformation to a big data-driven enterprise will need to focus in key strategic imperatives in order to succeed. In this session we will learn relevant techniques for implementing an effective data strategy. Data operating model Leading-edge architecture Cultural change
12:30	Lunch
13:30	Choosing your cloud infrastructure and deployment models One of the greatest benefits of the cloud lies in its agility. Every business has unique needs and meeting them all can be a tricky task. But the right cloud model can transform the way you do business. We will learn in depth the essential characteristics a cloud service must have, and the differences between a public, private or hybrid cloud. Essential characteristics: On-demand self-service Broad network access Resource pooling Rapid elasticityMeasured services Service models: Software as a service (SaaS) Platform as a service (PaaS) Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Model comparison
15:30	Coffee/tea break
16:00	Accelerating innovation with cloud computing Leveraging the cloud makes innovation more affordable and attainable than ever before. Rather than investing significant capital into their own IT infrastructure, companies can spend more time innovating new products and less time purchasing and maintaining IT infrastructure. Next-generation cloud technologies Scalable and performance compute, storage and network solutions Solution employed to meet business needs
17:00	End of workshop

For more details, please contact:

Melissa Ballesteros

(+1) 602 419 5155

mballesteros@theasianbanker.com

数字经济时代的客户体验和品牌形象

Nobody can say what the future holds, but you can be sure of one thing — there will be constant change at a rapid pace. Strategies that worked just a few years ago won’t work today or in the future. Mindsets must change. We must learn to learn. We must embrace ambiguity. And we must become comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Customer experience must be at the core of every financial institutions who wants to lead into the future. Innovation and creativity must happen both at the back-end and front-end of their institutions. Creating the relevant marketing strategies will not just increase the value of your brand but also improves your customer journeys.

In this workshop, you’ll learn the specifics of building a successful financial services institution in the digital age. By learning how to create a culture of innovation, a single client digital experience and launching a seamless customer experience strategy, you will help your institution stay ahead of the game.

Workshop facilitator:

Jacqueline Alexis Thng,
Partner, Prophet

数字经济时代的客户体验和品牌形象

08:00	Registration
09:00	Leading in the digital era – WeChat First seen through the lens of technology, then business, and now leadership, digital transformation has become global. It affects all aspects of society and each of us, yet it remains partially unexplored.We will discuss the main priorities to be successful in this rapidly changing landscape and real-life case studies from WeChat. Redesign digital experience for consumer Enhance data analytics capabilities Automate core business processes Finding ways to reduce operating costs Increase investment in innovation Improve components of security and authentication
10:30	Coffee/Tea break
11:00	Creating a culture of innovation within your organisation Fostering an innovative environment in your organisation can be key to growing your business and developing opportunities in ways you have not yet even considered. We will learn how organisations can manage their team around innovation without sacrificing day to day activities. Open communication between all company levels Create a climate of ideas Project promotion Reward innovation – not success Build a diverse team Set objectives and track progress
12:30	Lunch
13:30	Creating a single digital client experience Customer experience is an integral part of customer relationship management and the reason why it’s important is because a customer who has a positive experience with a business is more likely to become a repeat and loyal customer. We need to ask ourselves important questions such as: How is customer experience different from customer service? How important is customer experience? During this session we will discuss a strategy to a successful customer experience. Create a clear customer experience vision Understand who your customers are Create an emotional connection with your customers Capture customer’s feedback in real-time Use a quality framework for development of your team Act upon regular employee feedback Measure ROI from delivering great customer experience
14:30	Implementing a successful social media strategy Social media is now a defining feature of the brand landscape for the financial services industry. If your organisation doesn’t have a social media strategy, you’re ceding territory to competitors that you may never get back. We will discuss the social media marketing solutions for financial services institutions. Create connections Promoting products Tactical targeting Connected channels Apt advertising
15:30	Coffee/tea break
16:00	Exploring advanced technologies At a time when most organisations are still playing catch-up, a new wave of digital technology has the potential to change the way organisations deliver banking services even further. As quickly as past technologies have become the norm, a new wave of emerging technologies will combine digital technologies and the power of data to set new standards. We will discuss the essential technologies and how each can improve your institution. The Internet of Things (IoT) Artificial intelligence (AI) Blockchain Robotics Augmented reality Virtual reality Drones
17:00	End of workshop

For more details, please contact:

Melissa Ballesteros

(+1) 602 419 5155

mballesteros@theasianbanker.com

提升数字支付战略

The rapid growth of social networks and e-commerce platforms has transformed the way people communicate and transact around the world. Integrating digital payments into these growing networks and platforms has presented vast opportunities to drive economic opportunity, financial inclusion, transparency, security, and growth.

Over the past decade, China has become a leading global force in several areas of the digital economy. In mobile payments, the adoption among China’s internet users has grown rapidly, and most of these successes have been driven by two main players, Alipay and WeChat. These two companies are not oriously revolutionising the payment industry and leading China towards a cashless society.

In this workshop, you will learn how Chinese behemoths such as Ant Financial and Tencent have transformed the financial services industry not only in China but globally, and how financial institutions should follow the lead to a modern cashless society.

Workshop trainer:

Tom Wills,
Director, Ontrack Advisory

提升数字支付战略

08:00	Registration
09:00	China’s cashless transformation China is leading the world in online payments. Buying goods and services using smartphone apps that provide mobile-payment services has caught on in China like nowhere else; the rate of adoption is dizzying in a country that even state media acknowledges is hurtling towards a cashless society. During this session we will learn how Chinese giants such as Alipay and WeChat has revolutionized the way people shop and pay.
10:30	Coffee/Tea break
11:00	An open and connected ecosystem for digital payments – The strategy behind Ant Financial Ant Financials’ playbook to grow and increase globally has caught the attention of everyone in the industry. From focusing on the mobile-first people, whom happened to be underserved by banks to investing in major partners rather than startups. It provided its’ platform Alipay the advantage to be ahead of the game. Therefore, their own mission statement describes it thusly: “To collaborate with local partners through technology transfer, to make financial services more accessible”. We will learn how Ant Financials’ strategy steps and how they can be applied to your institution.
12:30	Lunch
13:30	Credit changing our everyday lives– Zhima Credit In the past many Chinese lacked any form of personal credit history, preventing them from obtaining even basic financial services, such as small consumer loans. Ant Financial launched Zhima Credit to provide the unbanked and under-banked individuals and businesses with a more equal access to these services. We will discuss how Zhima Credit analyses the credit risk for customers by using accumulated data from within the Alipay app and from business partner platforms.
14:30	Financial identity verification using biometrics In today’s digitised world where the mobile banking dominates, and consumers use their mobile devices to manage all of their tasks, financial institutions have been forced to find digital alternatives to in-person interactions. The introduction of automated biometric verification technologies is the key to making KYC faster and more convenient for customers. We will learn about the accuracy and sophistication of biometric technology and how it can be applied to your institution.
15:30	Coffee/tea break
16:00	Developing a successful payments innovation strategy Creating innovative payments products is hard. Unfortunately, 2017 was a race to the bottom for many start-ups and institutions forced to reduce costs while layering in necessary compliance and customer service functions. However, Chinese companies have overcome this hurdle. How can your institution build a solid payments innovation strategy? We will discuss all of the steps Ant Financial and Tencent have taken to be the catalysts in this growing market.
17:00	End of workshop

For more details, please contact:

Melissa Ballesteros

(+1) 602 419 5155

mballesteros@theasianbanker.com

08:00	Registration
09:00	Introduction to cloud infrastructure technologies Cloud infrastructure refers to the hardware and software components (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. We will learn from what comprises the “cloud” and the basics of cloud infrastructure.
10:30	Coffee/Tea break
11:00	Essential characteristics when choosing a cloud service One of the greatest benefits of the cloud lies in its agility. For many institutions is imperative determining the correct cloud solution. We will learn in depth, what are the essential characteristics a cloud service must have and how to determine each one of them. On-demand self-service Broad network access Resource pooling Rapid elasticity Measured services
12:30	Luncheon
13:30	Cloud fundamental services models Cloud service models describe how cloud services are available to clients. We will learn the three fundamental service models. Software as a service (SaaS) Platform as a service (PaaS) Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Model comparison
14:30	Cloud deployment models Every business has unique needs and meeting them all can be a tricky task. But the right cloud model can transform the way you do business. During this session we will review the three commonly used cloud deployment models. Private cloud Public cloud A hybrid cloud
15:30	Coffee/tea break
16:00	Accelerating innovation with cloud computing – Huawei Leveraging the cloud makes innovation more affordable and attainable than ever before. Rather than investing significant capital into their own IT infrastructure, companies can spend more time innovating new products and less time purchasing and maintaining IT infrastructure. Next-generation cloud technologies Scalable and performance compute, storage and network solutions Solution employed to meet business needs
17:00	End of workshop

For more details, please contact:

Melissa Ballesteros

(+1) 602 419 5155

mballesteros@theasianbanker.com

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Investing in startups

The world is so much more convenient today than it was at the turn of the century. No need to leave the house to shop for groceries or step off the curb to hail a cab. There’s an app for that. Running out of paper towels? Place an Instacart order. Need a ride to the airport at 4am? Call an Uber. All these things have been created by startups and companies properly funding them.

For example, we have seen companies such as Google, Facebook, PayPal, and Amazon, which have launched as startups by collecting seed money, then moving to venture capital funding, and finally place their company as initial public offering and that’s when the original investors receive their fair share. However, investing in startup companies is a very risky business, but can be very rewarding if and when the investments do pay off. Therefore, reviewing the types of investments is crucial to making decisions, as well as getting to know the startups you are investing and their leaders.

In this workshop,you will understand the different types of investment, stages of start-ups, the risks and rewards that come with it, and the mindset behind the ecosystem.

Workshop trainer:

Urs Bolt
Fintech & Regtech Expert

Investing in startups

08:00	Registration
09:00	Types of investments Different ways to raise capital have become popular among new companies, ventures, with a limited operating history that cannot raise capital though a debt issue or equity offering. We will study each one of them in depth: Crowdfunding Angel investment Co-investment Fund investment
10:30	Coffee/Tea break
11:00	Stages of startups In today’s world we have a different approach for companies that start as an idea and move into becoming a successful stable business. We will study in depth each of the stages that start-ups go through and the differences of each one of them. Seed or early stage Formative stage Bona fide stage Third stage Expansion stage Mezzanine (bridge) stage
12:30	Lunch
13:30	Investing in startups The appeal of startup investing Advantages of startups staying private longer Diversification to increase chances of investing in a company that could produce an exponential return on investment Case studies: Apple - Rainfall for public market investors; Twitter – All profits flow to private investors Tips from some of the most successful start-ups investors
14:30	Risks & rewards when investing in startups Risks that are considered when investing in startup companies Babe Ruth effect in successful investors Venture firms’ rejections to titans such Amazon, PayPal, Apple, and Uber Case studies: Facebook & Clarium Capital, Google & Ram Shriram Group exercise: The Investing Simulation
15:30	Coffee/tea break
16:00	Summary and evaluation Concepts: Investing in start-ups vs. investing in the public market. High-risk, high-reward. Next steps: Resources, to-dos, tools, trends
17:00	End of workshop

For more details, please contact:

Melissa Ballesteros

(+1) 602 419 5155

mballesteros@theasianbanker.com

The fundamentals of blockchain in banking

Originally derived from bitcoin, the concept of blockchain has dominated recent financial news and is tipped to be the next thing to revolutionise the banking world. We are at a point of inflection and it is therefore the perfect time to prepare yourself for the huge potential the blockchain has to offer. All the major banks are investing into the key players in the field and devoting significant resources to ensure they are ready for the explosion.

Investment is surging into corporate blockchain projects; blockchain startups, blockchain research and blockchain pilot projects. This clearly indicates, it is high time for incumbent financial services players to take it seriously.The idea that this technology may replace the traditional clearing systems globally further highlights that it cannot be ignored and that it is key to gain a thorough understanding now at this vitalstage of its development.

This practical course will provide you with the perfect grounding you need, to not only to demystify this exciting new technology, but prepare you with a strategy of how it will impact you and your organisation.

Delegates attending this one-day workshop will gain complimentary access to the two-day – Future of Finance Summit 2018 – the most influential annual forum that brings together a wide range of players – regulators, banks, internet finance companies, asset managers, insurance companies, investors and customers.

Workshop trainer:

David Gyori,
CEO, Banking Reports

The fundamentals of blockchain in banking

08:00	Registration
09:00	The concept of blockchain What is Bitcoin? How was blockchain born? How does ‘mining’work? Blockchain in IT: Metcalf’s Law and Moore’s Law Clearing and accounting: The ‘Distributed Ledger’ Central counterparty clearing: The current concept Non-central counterparty clearing: The future solution Intrabank-blockchain: The end of Excel? Smart contracts? Interbank-blockchain: The future of SWIFT. The story of smart asset grid
10:30	Coffee/Tea break
11:00	Security vs. Blockchain Security in the old system: Recent famous breaches Security advantages of blockchain: Process integrity and beyond Security disadvantages of blockchain: New cyber security concerns Bitcoin security: The nature of breaches, recent cases Blockchain security breaches: Strength, positive conclusion Private keys, tokenization, two-factor authentication: Protecting the wallet
12:30	Lunch
13:30	Privacy vs. Blockchain Private vs. public vs. permissioned: The three key types of blockchain AML, KYC, CTF: Is blockchain compliant as of now? When will it be? Privacy: Zero knowledge proof, consensual validation, fault tolerance, pseudonymise Real time data for regulators: Blessing or a curse? Cross-border regulatory patchwork The deep web: What it is? How to access? Dangers and advantages Regulatory status vs. cultural adoption: How countries react?
14:30	Blockchain beyond banking Trade: Supply chain management. Real estate: Registry inpractice FMCG: Wal-Mart, relationship between brands and customers Insurance, P2P Economy: Financial services beyond banking Governments: Records, identity, voting, axes, legislation, e-Gov, notary Cross-industry blockchain: Trade-finance, derivatives,securities-clearing, syndicated loans Emerging payments beyond the blockchain: Card emulation, super-wallets, VR pay
15:30	Coffee/tea break
16:00	Becoming a bigdata-driven institution The time scale: 1-year events, 3-year implications, 5-10-year shifts Lobbying: What to tell colleagues, bosses, shareholders and regulators? The Red Queen effect: What happens if your bank gets blockchain right? Millennials: Do new clients accept new technologies better? Why? GAFA: Why are US tech giants cautious about blockchain? Tactics and strategies for your bank: Association to international labs, participation in alliances, bank-agnostic blockchain projects, awards, prizes, competitions, hackathons,venture capital and beyond The 4Ps of digital product development: Preto-typing, prototyping, piloting, PoC
17:00	End of workshop

For more details, please contact:

Melissa Ballesteros

(+1) 602 419 5155

mballesteros@theasianbanker.com

Winning digital transition

The financial service industry has always sought to be at the forefront of technological innovations and many have attributed their success to these innovations. Now, new sources of competition, increased innovation, and greater productivity are essential ingredients for industry as well as overall economic growth. At the same time, regulators will need to ensure that what is likely to be a very different environment for the financial services industry remains safe, robust, and orderly, ensuring growth while protecting the community’s best interest.

A large amount of human activity, including a great deal of commerce and banking transactions,has become mobile-based – providing customers the opportunity to undertake many social or commercial activity faster and more conveniently. Smartphones, social media, the downloadable “apps” architecture, and cloud computing are putting immense flexibility into the hands of the customers, empowering them to select providers, compare pricing and features, review recommendations, and complete purchases.

These changes in the technology landscape have forced the financial services sector to transform more rapidly. This transformation brought by new technologies in data analytics, sensing and data collection capabilities, and payments are expected to continue, pushing banks to keep up the digital revolution.

In this workshop, we will highlight innovative developments taking place within the banking industry and showcase best practices from all over the world.

Winning digital transition

08:00	Registration
09:00	Welcome note – David Gyori, Chief Executive Officer, Banking Reports London Ltd
09:30	The digital revolution in banking ICT is GPT: The new role of information and communications technology Financial technology (fintech): 30 Areas, $150 billion investment, 15,000 start-ups Challenger banks: Digital-finity, differentiated value proposition Case studies: Singapore’s DBS Bank and UK’s Atom Bank Group exercise: The banks versus fintech companies box game
10:30	Tea/coffee break
11:00	Adequate reactions to the challenge Coopetition: Why and how does competition and cooperation blur? The Red Queen effect: How evolutionary biology helps winning? Information cascades: The new way to introduce digital products The banking innovation paradox: Why are banks struggling so hard? Case studies: TransferWise from the UK, eToro from Israel, and ICICI from India Group exercise: The Corporate Venture Fund exercise
12:30	Lunch
13:30	New clients need new products and new channels Millennials: The smartphone generation; the mobile network operators (MNOs); Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon (GAFA) Bank Payments: Apple Pay, LoopPay, SelfPay, NFC – Beacon - QR Services: Video banking, the anthropology of channel-transition Channels: F2F -Bricks2Clicks - Multich - Omnich - Optich Case studies: Moven from New York, SuperWallet from Poland Group exercise: Building AppleBank, creativity the Steve Jobs way
14:30	Tactics and strategies to win digital transition Toyota model: What banks can learn from the automotive industry? Ambidextrous organisation: Is Silicon Valley two steps ahead? TRIZ: Digital convergence in practice? Case studies: Citibank from the USA, Barclays from the UK Group exercise: The Innovation Committee Simulation
15:30	Tea/coffee break
16:00	Summary and evaluation Concepts: What is digital revolution? How to win in the market? What to overcome and expect? Next steps: Resources, to-dos, tools, trends
17:00	End of workshop

For more details, please contact:

Melissa Ballesteros

(+1) 602 419 5155

mballesteros@theasianbanker.com