Reimagining Banking for the Digital Age | Future Now Podcast EP 3

Welcome to the 3rd episode of the Future Now podcast, a platform dedicated to open conversations with industry leaders and innovators who are shaping our future through technology, digital transformation, and innovation in partnership with Gulf News. In this episode, host Ihsan Anabtawi sits down with Olivier Crespin, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Zand, the UAE’s first fully digital bank serving both retail and corporate customers. Drawing on more than two decades of experience in banking and fintech across Asia, Latin America, the United States, and the Middle East, Olivier shares his vision for building a truly digital-native bank. He explains how combining the foundations of traditional banking with the agility, customer-centricity, and innovation of digital platforms is reshaping the financial services industry. Together, they explore the differences between traditional banks and cloud-native digital banks, the role of cloud infrastructure in accelerating innovation, the importance of cybersecurity and data-driven decision-making, and how emerging technologies such as blockchain, digital assets, and decentralized finance could transform the future of financial services. Olivier also discusses why the UAE has become a global hub for fintech innovation, the opportunities created by the country’s digital ecosystem, and the leadership qualities required to drive transformation in rapidly evolving industries. Tune in to discover how technology is redefining banking and creating new opportunities for businesses and consumers alike. Special thanks to @poddster for filming and editing our episodes. #FutureNow #Podcast #IhsanAnabtawi #OlivierCrespin #Zand #DigitalBanking #Fintech #BankingInnovation #CloudComputing #CyberSecurity #Blockchain #Web3 #DigitalAssets #DecentralizedFinance #FintechInnovation #DigitalTransformation #Innovation #Technology #FutureOfBanking #UAE #GulfNews Gulf News social accounts: https://www.instagram.com/gulfnews/ https://x.com/gulf_news https://www.linkedin.com/company/gulf-news/ The Host, Ihsan Anabtawi social accounts: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ihsan-anabtawi https://x.com/IhsanAnabtawi The Guest, Olivier Crespin social accounts: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivier-crespin/ Poddster social accounts: https://ae.linkedin.com/company/poddster