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

WHY PARTNER WITH US?

Build relationships | Gain awareness | Join the conversation
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

Save The Dates

20 November 2025

CEE Regulations Academy Conference

Join the CEE Regulations Academy Conference to master complex financial regulations such as ESG, DORA, and Basel III. Tailored for financial professionals in Central and Eastern Europe, this event offers expert-led masterclasses, interactive sessions, and valuable networking opportunities. Gain localised insights and actionable strategies to enhance compliance and resilience in your organisation.