30th Edition Connected Banking Summit – Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026 Returns to Riyadh to Accelerate the Kingdom's Banking Transformation

The International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA) is proud to announce the 30th Edition Connected Banking Summit – Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026, set to take place on 30 September 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Celebrating a major milestone in the globally acclaimed Connected Banking Summit series, the 30th edition will convene senior banking executives, regulators, policymakers, fintech innovators, technology leaders, and financial-services stakeholders to explore the innovations and strategies shaping the future of banking across the Kingdom and the wider Middle East region.

Held under the theme "Empowering the Future of Banking in the Kingdom: Innovation, Transformation & Growth," the summit will serve as a premier platform for industry leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue, share transformative insights, and foster strategic partnerships that support Saudi Arabia's rapidly evolving financial ecosystem.

Saudi Arabia at the Forefront of Financial Innovation

Saudi Arabia continues to emerge as one of the world's most dynamic financial markets, driven by the ambitious goals of Vision 2030 and supported by significant investments in digital infrastructure, fintech innovation, open banking, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud technologies, and next-generation payment systems.

The Kingdom's financial sector has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years, with banks and financial institutions accelerating modernization initiatives to deliver enhanced customer experiences, strengthen operational resilience, and unlock new growth opportunities through technology-driven transformation.

As the banking landscape becomes increasingly interconnected and customer expectations continue to evolve, collaboration among financial institutions, regulators, fintech companies, and technology providers has never been more important.

The Connected Banking Summit will provide a dedicated platform for stakeholders to exchange knowledge, discuss emerging trends, and identify practical solutions that will define the next chapter of banking innovation in Saudi Arabia.

Key Focus Areas

The summit agenda will address the most pressing opportunities and challenges facing the banking sector, including:

• Digital Banking Transformation and Core Modernization
• Artificial Intelligence, Analytics and Data-Driven Banking
• Open Banking, Open Finance and API Ecosystems
• Real-Time Payments and Future Payment Infrastructure
• Cybersecurity, Fraud Prevention and Digital Trust
• Customer Experience and Hyper-Personalized Banking
• Cloud Adoption and Scalable Banking Architecture
• Embedded Finance and Platform-Based Ecosystems
• Regulatory Innovation and Compliance Transformation
• Sustainable Finance and Future Growth Strategies

What Attendees Can Expect

Participants will benefit from:

• Visionary keynote presentations from leading banking executives, regulators and industry experts
• Thought-provoking panel discussions addressing the future of banking, payments, cybersecurity and digital transformation
• Practical case studies highlighting successful modernization initiatives
• Insights into Saudi Arabia's rapidly evolving financial-services landscape
• Exclusive networking opportunities with C-level executives and decision-makers
• Curated business meetings connecting financial institutions with innovative solution providers
• The prestigious Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026, celebrating outstanding achievements, innovation, and leadership across the banking industry

A Legacy of Driving Banking Transformation

Over the years, the Connected Banking Summit series has established itself as one of the most influential platforms for banking innovation and industry collaboration across Africa, the Middle East, and emerging markets.

The series has successfully delivered:

• 30 Global Editions
• 5,000+ Curated Delegates
• 500+ Industry Speakers
• 1,000+ Hours of Executive Networking
• Hundreds of Strategic Partnerships Facilitated

The Riyadh edition will continue this legacy by bringing together the visionaries, innovators, and decision-makers driving the Kingdom's financial future.

Leadership Perspective

"Saudi Arabia is undergoing one of the most significant financial transformations globally, creating tremendous opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and growth. The 30th Edition Connected Banking Summit will provide a strategic platform for industry leaders to exchange ideas, showcase innovations, and collectively shape the future of banking in the Kingdom. We are delighted to bring this milestone edition to Riyadh and support the continued advancement of Saudi Arabia's financial-services sector."

— International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA)

Registration and Participation

Delegate registrations, sponsorship opportunities, speaking engagements, and exhibition packages are now available.

For registration and partnership enquiries:

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About the International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA)

The International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA) is a globally recognized organization specializing in executive-level summits, strategic conferences, business intelligence platforms, and leadership forums. Through its flagship Connected Banking Summit series and international events, ICSA enables collaboration between senior executives, policymakers, regulators, innovators, and technology providers—driving transformation, innovation, and sustainable growth across the global financial-services ecosystem.