
The CEE
Annual Payments
Forum 2025
The fourth edition of the CEE Annual Payments Forum
21 October 2025
National Bank
of Romania
AGENDA
09:00
Registration & Welcome Coffee
09:00
Registration & Welcome Coffee
Speech
10:00
20 Min.
Opening Remarks
Speech
10:00
20 Min.
Opening Remarks
Speech
10:20
25 Min.
Keynote Speech
Speech
10:20
25 Min.
Keynote Speech
Panel
10:45
55 Min.
Panel 1: Digital Transition, Regulation & Cybersecurity
Industry leaders examine how regulation, banking transformation, and cybersecurity challenges shape the digital payments future. The panel addresses compliance, innovation, and strategies for securing transactions in an increasingly interconnected financial ecosystem.
PANEL
10:45
55 Min.
Panel 1: Digital Transition, Regulation & Cybersecurity
11:40
Coffee Break
11:40
Coffee Break
Panel
12:10
55 Min.
Panel 2: Payments Infrastructure & Innovation
This discussion focuses on the evolution of payment systems, from instant transfers and open banking to fintech-driven solutions. Experts explore innovation, collaboration between banks and tech firms, and how robust infrastructure can support growth and resilience in the CEE region.
PANEL
12:10
55 Min.
Panel 2: Payments Infrastructure & Innovation
Panel
13:05
55 Min.
Panel 3: New Tech & Digital Resilience
Speakers highlight how AI, digital identity, and emerging technologies are redefining resilience in finance. The panel explores strategies to strengthen cybersecurity, build trust in new tools, and ensure that innovation enhances security in a fast-changing digital payments environment.
PANEL
13:05
55 Min.
Panel 3: New Tech & Digital Resilience
Speech
13:30
20 Min.
Welcome Remarks
Prof. Dorel Paraschiv
Bucharest University of Economic Studies
Vice-Rector
Speech
13:30
20 Min.
Welcome Remarks
Prof. Dorel Paraschiv
Bucharest University of Economic Studies
Vice-Rector
Speech
13:50
20 Min.
Keynote Speech

Prof. Leonardo Badea
National Bank of Romania
First Vice Governor
Speech
13:50
20 Min.
Keynote Speech

Prof. Leonardo Badea
National Bank of Romania
First Vice Governor
14:00
Surprise guest
14:00
Surprise guest
Speech
14:05
10 Min.
Closing Remarks
Speech
14:05
10 Min.
Closing Remarks
14:10
Lunch
14:10
Lunch
Panel
14:10
50 Min.
Panel 1: Advancing Finance Through Vision and Education
Academy Board members and esteemed professors from CEE countries offer perspectives on the financial sector’s trajectory. Banking, regulation, and financial education trends are analyzed, alongside obstacles and prospects. The session underscores strategies fostering innovation and enduring value.

Moderator
Mihaela Gramaticu
CEE Perspective
Founding Member
Prof. Georgiana Georgescu
Bucharest University of Economic Studies
Dean at the Faculty of Finance and Banking

Prof. Armin Kammel
Lauder Business School
Professor of Banking Law and Securities Regulation

Prof. Anita Pavković
University of Zagreb
Professor in tenure, Bank Management, Regulation and Supervision of Financial Sector and Financial Institutions and Markets

Prof. Natalia Petrova
Laboratory for Applied Scientific Research
Lecturer

Prof. Christina Livada
National & Kapodistrian University of Athens
Assistant Professor PhD. of Commercial Law

Prof. Dan Costin Nitescu
Bucharest University of Economic Studies
Professor PhD
PANEL
14:10
50 Min.
Panel 1: Advancing Finance Through Vision and Education

Moderator
Mihaela Gramaticu
CEE Perspective
Founding Member

Prof. Christina Livada
National & Kapodistrian University of Athens
Assistant Professor PhD. of Commercial Law

Prof. Natalia Petrova
Laboratory for Applied Scientific Research
Lecturer

Prof. Anita Pavković
University of Zagreb
Professor in tenure, Bank Management, Regulation and Supervision of Financial Sector and Financial Institutions and Markets

Prof. Armin Kammel
Lauder Business School
Professor of Banking Law and Securities Regulation
Prof. Georgiana Georgescu
Bucharest University of Economic Studies
Dean at the Faculty of Finance and Banking

Prof. Dan Costin Nitescu
Bucharest University of Economic Studies
Professor PhD
15:00
Guided Visit – National Bank of Romania Museum
15:00
Guided Visit – National Bank of Romania Museum
Panel
15:00
45 Min.
Panel 2: Capital Markets - Regulatory Innovation in Action
This panel features distinguished leaders from European stock exchanges sharing practical insights on regulatory adaptation. The session moves beyond theoretical discussions to provide actionable strategies for regulatory compliance that drives innovation and market competitiveness.

Moderator
Prof. Natalia Petrova
Laboratory for Applied Scientific Research
Lecturer
Ludovic Aigrot
Nasdaq
Head of Brussels Office

Radu Hanga
Bucharest Stock Exchange
Chairman of the Board
Ivan Shteriev
Macedonian Stock Exchange
CEO
PANEL
15:00
45 Min.
Panel 2: Capital Markets - Regulatory Innovation in Action

Moderator
Prof. Natalia Petrova
Laboratory for Applied Scientific Research
Lecturer
Ivan Shteriev
Macedonian Stock Exchange
CEO

Radu Hanga
Bucharest Stock Exchange
Chairman of the Board
Ludovic Aigrot
Nasdaq
Head of Brussels Office
Fireside
15:45
30 Min.
The Future of European Finance: Converging Perspectives
Exploring the intersection of monetary stability and banking transformation in Europe’s evolving financial landscape.
Rik Coeckelbergs - A New Ethos in Banking
The Banking Scene
CEO
Didier Cahen - The Euro is in Danger
EUROFI
Secretary General
Fireside
15:45
30 Min.
The Future of European Finance: Converging Perspectives
Rik Coeckelbergs - A New Ethos in Banking
The Banking Scene
CEO
Didier Cahen - The Euro is in Danger
EUROFI
Secretary General
16:15
Coffee Break & Book Signing
16:15
Coffee Break & Book Signing
Speech
16:35
30 Min.
Finance and Entrepreneurship: Real-World Perspectives
Mircea Cirt
ATP Group
CEO
Speech
16:35
30 Min.
Finance and Entrepreneurship: Real-World Perspectives
Mircea Cirt
ATP Group
CEO
Panel
17:05
55 Min.
Panel 3: CEE Banking 4.0 - From Traditional Lending to Digital Capital Market Infrastructure
CEE banking leaders, fintech pioneers, and capital market innovators explore how traditional banks can transform into digital-first financial ecosystems. The discussion focuses on practical pathways for CEE banks to integrate tokenized securities, DLT infrastructure, and embedded finance solutions while maintaining regulatory compliance and customer trust.

Moderator
Prof. Dan Costin Nitescu
Bucharest University of Economic Studies
Professor PhD
Sebastian Stodulka
Erste Bank
Head of Brussels Office
Adina Calin
CEC Bank
Director, Banking Products and Services Division
Marius Jurgilas
Axiology
CEO
Thomas Labenbacher
Assetera
CEO & Founder
PANEL
17:05
55 Min.
Panel 3: CEE Banking 4.0 - From Traditional Lending to Digital Capital Market Infrastructure

Moderator
Prof. Dan Costin Nitescu
Bucharest University of Economic Studies
Professor PhD
Thomas Labenbacher
Assetera
CEO & Founder
Marius Jurgilas
Axiology
CEO
Adina Calin
CEC Bank
Director, Banking Products and Services Division
Sebastian Stodulka
Erste Bank
Head of Brussels Office
Speech
18:00
12 Min.
The NEXT GENERATION: CEE Perspective Initiative
Speech
18:00
12 Min.
The NEXT GENERATION: CEE Perspective Initiative
18:15
Networking Cocktail
18:15
Networking Cocktail
18:30
ASE Museum Tour
18:30
ASE Museum Tour
Gold Partner
Silver Partners
Bronze Partners
Support Partners
Logistic Partners
VISIBILITY
Put your organization at the forefront of leaders in the
payments industry through active participation in Forum
activities, and meetings and through the organization’s
outreach efforts.
INFLUENCE
Create opportunities for strategic conversations with an
elite group of European leading bankers, decision
makers and financial experts
NETWORKING
Build strong relationships with some of the most
influential financial institutions in the world.
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY OUTREACH
Position your brand as a thought leader, solutions
provider or partner
ADVANCE KNOWLEDGE
Gain special insights from new and veteran leaders both
from the public and private sectors.
VENUE
National Bank of Romania
Strada Lipscani 25, București 030167, Rumanía

