Our events
24 September 2020
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EDT
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8 : 00
9 : 30
-04:00
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-04:00
WebEx
By invitation only
COVID-19 has created new challenges, which require new solutions and strategic partnerships between FinTech companies, Banks, and Non-Banks. The latest report from the World Economic Forum’s Future of Financial Services series explores how the intersections of emerging technologies like AI, DLT, cloud and IOT are tearing down traditional barriers between financial and non-financial firms – making the ability to assemble new capabilities crucial to competitive differentiation and building resilience post COVID-19. See the report here>.
On Thursday, September 24, 2020, at 8 a.m. EDT, we will hear from executives at Funding Societes, one of the largest SME digital financing platform in Southeast Asia; Investree, a financial technology company based in Indonesia with operations in Thailand and pending expansion to the Philippines; UnionBank, one of the Philippines’ most innovative universal banks with UBX (corporate venture capital and fintech platform builder); and Miza, a MENA FinTech company focused on providing innovative digital lending solutions. During our last roundtable on September 10th, we learned about the trends in partnerships between banks and FinTech companies. In this roundtable, we will delve deeper into what makes or breaks successful partnerships.
About COVID-19 Roundtable Series
In times of crisis, accurate and timely information is key. Sharing knowledge and practical experience are proven forms of investment that pave the path to success. With the purpose of helping our members build their own knowledge advantage, the SME Finance Forum facilitates activities and learning opportunities with the strategic approach of collecting and disseminating the best practices, while connecting SME finance experts and practitioners within our global network. Starting in late March, the Forum hosts weekly virtual roundtable sessions focusing on mitigation efforts used to cope with COVID-19, sharing those experiences in a continuous and real-time basis. Learn more>
What you will learn about
- What are the keys to successful partnerships?
- What are the major reasons for disappointments?
- What can policymakers do to promote successful partnerships?
Host: Matthew Gamser, CEO, SME Finance Forum
About the Moderator
Lesly Goh is the Senior Advisor, former Chief Technology Officer for the World Bank Group. She is a Fellow at Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) Judge Business School and Senior Fellow at National University of Singapore (NUS) Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Lesly brings an extensive international experience, advising government policy makers and central banks on the regulatory impact from emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G , Cloud and Edge Computing. Prior to the public sector role, Lesly built a solid technology career in private sector such as Microsoft, Deloitte and startups. She is a certified Data Architect and worked on many high-profile Data and AI initiatives in highly regulated industries such as Financial Services, Healthcare/Life Sciences and Digital Government, including Smart Cities designed for resilience. Lesly is member of the WEF Global Future Councils on Data Policy – Platform for shaping the Future of Technology Governance on data policy.
About the Speakers
Kelvin Teo is the co-founder of Funding Societies | Modalku. Selected as Top 200 FinTech Influencers in Asia and appointed Co-Chairperson for the Marketplace Lending Committee of Singapore FinTech Association, Kelvin has spoken at major conferences such as LendIt Shanghai, Boao Hainan and Money20/20. He has also been featured on Bloomberg, BBC and Business Times. Prior to this, Kelvin served as a consulting professional at KKR, McKinsey and Accenture. Kelvin graduated from Harvard Business School and National University of Singapore and is a certified Chartered Accountant.
Adrian Gunadi is the Co-Founder & CEO at Investree. He started his career and held important positions in the sharia section at Standard Chartered, Dubai, UAE, and Bank Permata, Indonesia. Prior to Investree, he served as the Director for Retail Banking at Bank Muamalat, one of leasing sharia bank in Indonesia. Throughout the past 20 years in both local and international banking, Adrian has been busy building business models for banking companies within the conventional sphere in areas such as sharia finance and SME platforms, as well as in microfinance and e-banking in the retail sector. He is now the Chairman of The Indonesian Joint Funding Fintech Association (AFPI), Special Advisor to H. E. Minister of Research and Technology Republic of Indonesia, and Member of ASEAN Business Council Advisory. He is also the winner of several prestigious awards such as “Financial Millennial Figure” from the Indonesia Financial Services Authority (OJK), “Inspirational Alumni 2019” from University of Indonesia, 2019 Endeavor Entrepreneur of the Year, Indonesia, and Finalist of EY Entrepreneur Award 2019, Indonesia. As a fintech-preneur, Adrian has not only made Investree the market leader for the fintech lending industry in Indonesia, but also plays a role in developing fintech lending growth together with regulators and other stakeholders who support the digital economy ecosystem in Indonesia.
Arvie De Vera is the Senior Vice President and Head of the Fintech Group at UnionBank, a team instrumental to the Bank’s transformation strategy. Under his leadership, the group has created award-winning fintech and blockchain solutions to future-proof the bank and promote financial inclusion. He is passionate about tech-ing up the Philippines, and was recognized by the Singapore Fintech Association as a Top Fintech Influencer in Asia. A primary mover in the fintech space, he co-founded and serves as the Vice Chairman of the Distributed Ledger Technology Association of the Philippines whose purpose is to educate, regulate, and innovate on blockchain technology. Being an ardent advocate of financial inclusion, Arvie also co-founded and serves as a board director of Tech Up Pilipinas - a movement that seeks to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs), individuals, and large corporates benefit from technological advancements in order to “tech up” the Philippines and pave way for inclusive prosperity. Arvie is also a Founding Member and Board Director of the Fintech Philippines Association. Prior to joining UnionBank, Arvie's extensive career spanned various industries including banking (Citibank), telecommunications (Globe/Singtel), and broadcast/digital media (TV5/ABC), with roles across product management, sales, finance, strategic planning, and business development. Aside from leading UnionBank’s Fintech Group, Arvie also sits on the Board of the bank’s subsidiaries PETNET Inc. and UBX. Despite being a banker with an MBA, Arvie graduated with a degree in Philosophy from Ateneo de Manila University. He is a loving husband and dad to 6 very animated kids.
Mohamed Wefati is an experienced professional in financial services & management consultancy. He is the Founder of MIZA, a MENA FinTech company focused on providing innovative digital lending solutions, having established partnerships with leading banks & international organizations such as ICD (member of IsDB), FMO, Expertise France. MIZA is a member of the SME Finance Forum, managed by IFC, and has been recognized by the World Economic Forum as one of the top 100 Arab start-ups in 2019. He has established experiences in financial sector restructuring initiatives having worked on consultancy programs with international organizations such as the African Development Bank & the World Bank and leading global consultancy firms. He is also the founding curator as part of the Global Shapers Community, an initiative by the World Economic Forum.