CONNECTING THE DOTS
Column
Marnix Monsfort, Director Financial Institutions at FMO
Is there anything new?
That was what I found myself wondering as I flipped through the program booklet of FMO's very first Future of Finance event back in 2010. In a way everything sounds so familiar. At that time, the banking crisis was still fresh in our minds, and the banking industry was reshaping itself to meet evolving stakeholder expectations. It was all about change. But things have certainly evolved. For starters, that booklet was still printed on good old paper.
Our most recent Future of Finance event, aptly themed 'Tomorrow Matters,' struck a chord with me. It recognized that every decision and action we take today carries the potential to ripple through our collective future. It underscored the importance of shared responsibility and the need for collaboration to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.
In 2020, as we marked our 50th anniversary as FMO, and we had grand plans for the 6th edition of Future of Finance, everything came to a screeching halt. COVID-19 turned our world upside down in ways no one could have imagined. Uncertainty reigned.
We had a choice to make: Should we shift gears and host Future of Finance online? We decided against it. Why? Because, really, how could we recreate that same vibe and nurture those effortless connections in a virtual space? For me, Future of Finance is about bringing clients and partners from five continents under one roof, sparking conversations, boosting networking, and forging partnerships.
Fast forward to 2023, just a few weeks away from our 'Waves of Change' Future of Finance conference. Change is still our steadfast companion. But here’s what’s new: the challenges have grown bigger, and guess what? So are the opportunities, already evident in the exponential growth of AI applications for financial services. Now, we can all connect with client groups we couldn't reach before, precisely tailoring products and services to their needs. How? By tapping into new data available for assessments, smart product development, and risk mitigation tools.
And while I’ve come to appreciate the ease of online connections and reduced travel, nothing beats meeting in person. After all, it’s by coming together, exchanging views, and making connections, we lay the groundwork for future collaborations.
So don't miss this chance to connect. It might just help you to ride these ‘Waves of Change’. And in the meantime, the good old paper has transformed into a handy app tailor-made for your deep dive into the conference agenda. Plus, you can connect with anyone at anytime, combining the best of both worlds, real and virtual. We can’t wait to welcome you at our conference!
Warm regards,
Marnix
Let's connect at Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ