The CEE Annual Payments Forum

2023

The second edition of the CEE Annual Payments Forum took place on the 24th of May 2023.

We were fortunate to have expert speakers share their insights on the latest developments in payment regulation and innovation in the CEE region, the impact of disruptive technologies on the financial services industry, and the emergence of new business models in the payments industry.

The forum provided an excellent opportunity for networking, exchanging ideas, and learning from industry experts and public authorities.

SPEAKERS

Adrian Stratulat

Asociatia Blockchain Romania

Executive Director

Alexandru Bita

LibraBank

Chief Technology Innovation Officer

Alexandru Cociu

Smart Fintech

Risk and Compliance Officer

Anatolie Telchiji

UiPath

Sales Executive

Andrei Niculae

Authority for the Digitization of Romania

Vice President

Augustin Dobre

Twispay

Chief Executive Officer

Bogdan Năstase

Transfond

Project Manager

Dan Nitescu

National Bank of Romania

Senior Advisor to the Governor

Didier Lepoutre

Enfineo

Chief Financial Officer

Diederik Bruggink

European Savings and Retail Banking Group

Senior Advisor Payments

Elie Beyrouthy

European Payment Institutions Federation (EPIF)

Chair

Filip Mutafis

Paysera BG & RO Franchise

Main investor

Florin Dănescu

Romanian Association of Banks

Executive President

Gabriela Nistor

IdeaBank

Chief Executive Officer

Greta Schulte

European Fintech Association (EFA)

Secretary General

José Manuel Marqués

Bank of Spain

Director, Financial Innovation & Market Infrastructures

Konrad Slusarczyk

Visa

Director, Government Engagement CEE

Leonardo Badea

National Bank of Romania

Deputy Governor & Member of the Board

Madalina Popa

Microsoft

Director Financial Industry Central and Eastern Europe

Razvan Popescu

Ernst & Young

Head of Partnerships and Solutions

Sabin Popa

IBM

Hybrid Cloud Services Leader, EMEA GBS CICs

Stefan E. Ionescu

Leichmann Weifert Group (LEW.ro)

Manager

AGENDA

Speech

09:30

15 Min.

Welcome speech

Ruxandra Avram

National Bank of Romania

Director, Financial Market Infrastructures & Payments Oversight

Panel

09:45

60 Min.

The Evolving Payments Landscape: Regulatory Dynamics and Best Practices

This panel will address the latest developments in payment regulation and innovation in the CEE region, and how financial institutions are adapting to these changes. The panel will discuss the opportunities and challenges presented by new regulatory frameworks, including MiCA, and how these frameworks are shaping the future of payments in the region. The discussion will also highlight the innovative solutions that fintech companies are bringing to the market and how they are contributing to the evolution of the payments ecosystem.

Moderator

Elie Beyrouthy

European Payment Institutions Federation (EPIF)

Chair

Konrad Slusarczyk

Visa

Director, Government Engagement CEE

Florin Dănescu

Romanian Association of Banks

Executive President

Gabriela Nistor

IdeaBank

Chief Executive Officer

Greta Schulte

European Fintech Association (EFA)

Secretary General

Panel

10:30

60 Min.

Innovation Drivers: How Emerging Technologies are Shaping Financial Services

This panel will explore how blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLI) are transforming the payments industry and creating new opportunities for innovation. The panel will discuss the latest trends in these technologies, their impact on payments, and how financial institutions are leveraging them to enhance the efficiency, security, and transparency of payments. The discussion will also cover the role of regulators and other stakeholders in fostering innovation in the payments industry and the potential of CBOGs (Central Bank Digital Currencies) for the future of payments.

Moderator

Raluca Micu

National Bank of Romania

Head of payments Oversight Division

Bogdan Pătru

Mastercard

Public Policy Director

Cosmin Cosma

Romanian Fintech Association

President & Founder

José Manuel Marqués

Bank of Spain

Director, Financial Innovation & Market Infrastructures

Madalina Popa

Microsoft

Director Financial Industry Central and Eastern Europe

11:15

Coffee break

Panel

11:30

60 Min.

New Horizons in Financial Services: Emerging Business Models and Opportunities

The objective of this panel is to review the emergence of new business models in the payments industry and their potential impact on the traditional banking landscape. The panel will discuss how these models are leveraging technology, changing customer behavior and preferences, and driving innovation and competition in the industry. The discussion will also cover the challenges and opportunities presented by these new business models, and the role of regulators and other stakeholders in ensuring a level playing field and protecting consumers.

Moderator

Dan Nitescu

National Bank of Romania

Senior Advisor to the Governor

Cosmin Cosma

Romanian Fintech Association

President & Founder

Didier Lepoutre

Enfineo

Chief Financial Officer

Sabin Popa

IBM

Hybrid Cloud Services Leader, EMEA GBS CICs

Filip Mutafis

Paysera BG & RO Franchise

Main investor

Alexandru Cociu

Smart Fintech

Risk and Compliance Officer

Alexandru Bita

LibraBank

Chief Technology Innovation Officer

Diederik Bruggink

European Savings and Retail Banking Group

Senior Advisor Payments

Panel

12:15

60 Min.

Disruptive Technologies and the Future of Financial Services: Challenges and Opportunities

This panel will focus on the impact of disruptive technologies on the financial services industry and how they create both challenges and opportunities for businesses in the sector. Experts will discuss the future of fintech, and the use of Al and blockchain among other topics. The aim is to provide insights into how companies can innovate and adapt to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Moderator

Cosmin Curticapean

iFactor

Executive Entrepreneur

Adrian Stratulat

Asociatia Blockchain Romania

Executive Director

Razvan Popescu

Ernst & Young

Head of Partnerships and Solutions

Anatolie Telchiji

UiPath

Sales Executive

Augustin Dobre

Twispay

Chief Executive Officer

Andrei Niculae

Authority for the Digitization of Romania

Vice President

Stefan E. Ionescu

Leichmann Weifert Group (LEW.ro)

Manager

13:15

Lunch Break

14:30

Guided tour to the National Bank Museum

PANEL PREVIEW

GALLERY