Progress Beyond Potential: Banking Innovation and Payments Technology

08 October 2026
Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya, KSA


  • 300+ Banking, Finance, Payments, Fintech and Technology Leaders
  • 30+ Thought Leaders and Market Experts
  • 6 In-depth & lively sessions on technology in Banking and Finance
  • 4.5 Hours of Peer Interaction and Networking

Overview

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is determinedly focused on high energy innovation in its key banking and payments sectors.

Aside from the essential need for banks and financial institutions to remain competitive and relevant in a rapidly modernising financial sector, the targets set by Saudi Vision 2030 for economic diversification and long-term prosperity are there to be met. A glaringly vital component in the innovation of banking and payments arrives through the considered and strategic application of AI, the ultimate changer of the game.

Fortunately, there remains inherent entrepreneurial creativity at large in Saudi Arabia underscored by the rapid and massive growth of fintech startups, plus the ongoing implementation of technology that is delivering a fast-maturing banking and finance sector, positioning the country as a future global financial centre.

The MEA Finance Leaders in Tech Innovations and Payments Summit, KSA will proudly gather national leaders in Banking, Finance, Technology, Payments and Fintech, and the key businesses they serve from across The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to apply their unique knowledge and foresight in a series of lively and highly topical panel debates. The Summit discussions will focus upon the changes and benefits banking and payments technology will bring the country, as well as the technologies that are leading them, and the shape of the tasks of harnessing them to create Saudi Arabia's banking and payments services of the future.

What to expect

Up to 300 banking and technology leaders and a format drawing the entire spectrum of interested and engaged professionals including regulators, technology companies, start-ups, fintechs, innovators and other stakeholders from across the value chains.

  • Solid networking and engagement opportunities for your company with key decision makers to directly tell them about your company’s solutions to today’s most pressingindustry issues
  • Exposure to the regional banking fraternity with your brand visibility in the exhibition area during networking breaks and via participation in panel discussions and keynote presentations
  • Opportunity to be recognised and acknowledged by the market as a bank, a technology business or fintech company at the forefront of digital transformation and AI at the MEA Finance Leaders in Tech Innovations and Payments Awards.

Who should attend?

    C-Suite
  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Chief Technology Officer
  • MD - Head of Treasury, Capital Markets & FI
  • Chief Operating Officer
  • Chairman
  • Chief Audit Executive
  • Chief Commercial Officer
  • Chief Economist and Head of Research
  • Chief of Shared Services Officer
  • Chief Risk Officer
  • Managing Director
    • Department & Section Heads
  • Partner - Financial Services
  • Advisor - Investment Management
  • Commercial Advisor
  • Executive Director
  • Head of Client Relations
  • Head of Payments, Remittances & FX
  • Head of Regulatory Advisory and Assurance
  • Head of Transactional Banking
  • Head Corporate Relations and Strategic Partnerships
  • Head Digital Strategy and Change
  • Head of E-Banking
  • Head of Market Risk
  • Head of AML & Sanctions
  • Head of Bancassurance
  • Head of CAD, Remedial & Collection
  • Head of Central Operations
  • Head of Change Management
  • Head of Client Experience
  • Head of Compliance
  • Head of CRM
  • Head of Disclosure and Issuance Department
  • Head of Enterprise Architecture
  • Head of Enterprise Banking Platforms
  • Head of External Communications
  • Head of Finance
  • Head of Financial Institutions
  • Head of Government Relations & PR
  • Head of Information Security
  • Head of Investment Solutions
  • Head of Issuance
  • Head of Prepaid Cards
  • Head of Regulatory Compliance
  • Head of Retail Banking
  • Head of Risk Specialist
  • Head of Strategic Planning
  • Head of Strategy - Technology
  • Head of Transaction Banking
  • Head Product Manager
  • Manager Audit & Compliance
  • Manager Operational Risk
  • Payments & Contract Manager
  • Portfolio Specialist - Insights & Strategy
  • Project Manager
  • Regional Compliance Manager
  • Regional Manager - Compliance & Risk Retention & Vigilance Manager
  • Senior CRM Project Lead
  • Senior CX Manager
  • Senior Manager - Digital Transformation
  • Senior Manager Treasury
  • Information Security, Senior Strategic Advisor
  • Senior Trade Officer, Strategy & PMO
  • Assistant Vice President - Global Customer Relations
  • Associate VP - Strategic Engagements
  • AVP Agile Delivery - Retail Banking
  • AVP Credit Risk and Portfolio Manager
  • FS Strategy Manager
  • SVP & Head of Compliance - Personal Banking Group
  • SVP & Regional Head - Corporate & Commercial Banking
  • Vice President, Compliance
  • VP Risk and Change Management
  • VP Wealth and Asset Management
  • VP - Strategic Initiatives & Bancassurance

MEA Finance Conferences

Bring together hundreds of banking, technology and fintech leaders for a day of immersive and productive discussion on the latest developments, emergent trends and the most pressing issues facing the banking industry in the Middle East and Africa. The one-day, highly exclusive gatherings include presentations and a rage of panel discussions, featuring over 35 industry-leading experts and distinguished speakers who attend to discuss the future of finance and banking innovation and what it will mean for our region.

Agenda

Thusday, 08 October 2026, Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya, KSA

The banking technology and fintech sectors in Saudi Arabia reflect a maturing market, so what does this mean for the growth and development of the nation’s financial markets? Increased competition is certain, but from where will that come - domestic companies and innovators, or from international businesses? In other parts of the region, areas such as wealth management and SME finance have drawn much attention, so which parts of the KSA financial sector will we see technology and fintech leaning into? How deeply has the Saudi Arabian fintech and technology market matured, and can the Kingdom take a definitive lead in these vital organs of the banking and finance industry?

What are the defined directions banking innovation is taking in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia? Is it entirely about aligning with Vision 2030 to become a globally leading AI powered fintech hub? Are there other less spotlighted but nevertheless important objectives that will define the future of the country as an industry shaping regional centre for global banking and payments? What might these be - regulatory compliance, operational agility , Sharia compliant AI, Open Banking and Open Finance or inclusivity? Can definitive directions of travel for banking technology innovation in Saudi Arabia be envisioned at this time, and if so, what are they and are they unique or specific to the nation?

Nowadays there is heightened awareness of the need to protect against cyber-attacks, and to mitigate the damage they cause by building in resilience to them. As AI develops to counter such activities, so too does it provide an edge to bad actors who are not constrained by laws, regulators or ethics. When compared to other locations, are there conditions specific to the Saudi market when encountering or tackling cybercrime or bank frauds? How developed are technologies such as Behavioural Analytics in the Kingdom for countering activities like Authorised Push Payment fraud? What are the current scams being directed at the public or businesses, and how are KSA's banks and regulators manoeuvring to combat this scourge?

How is the cross-border payments ecosystem in Saudi Arabia developing and what are the most influential elements driving its evolution - Vision 2030, technological innovation, regulatory engagement, enhanced standardisation and messaging systems or even global politics? How does the Kingdom fit into the various regional cross-border payments systems and what role does it play in these? How is the country utulising cross-border payments in its aim to become a regional treasury hub? Will CBDCs and blockchain fundamentally change crossbordersettlements, and how is SAMA collaborating in research with other regional and global central banks to develop these on a cross-border basis?

In terms of banking technology, AI has not just moved in with you, it is effectively now both your landlord and your handyman. It is here to stay, so how can the best be attained from this relationship and what does this mean for how banking and finance will operate in the Kingdom? Does effective use of AI in Saudi Arabia's banking sectors require Arabic- first language and fluency in local context any more so than other regional nations? How do will AI models integrate to ensure that investment optimisation and automated trading strategies stay aligned with Sharia-compliant finance principles? What does AI in banking and finance look like in, and what might it mean to Saudi Arabia?

The Financial Sector Development Plan of Vision 2030 is a key motivator for banking and payments innovation. But what also drives them and the implementation of financial technology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia? Is it the needs and aspirations of a youthful nation or the realisation of the benefits of financial inclusivity? Could it be an awakening of an inherent innovative nature or the increasing roles and responsibilities of Saudi Arabia as a key global economy? How are stablecoins, CBDCs and tokenisation developing in this market? Are the trends of society urging the development of payment technologies or are banks and technology businesses channelling customers toward new payments methods. Is it a little of both?

Previous Speakers


Highlights

MEA Finance Leaders in Technology Innovations & Payments Awards 2026

MEA Finance was established with the goal of serving the regional banking and financial services sector operating in our exciting and dynamic region. We are committed to providing dedicated news, insightful interviews, the highest-level events and well deserved recognition to the region’s financial service providers, banking technology, payments and fintech leaders. MEA Finance is best placed to cover the full range of the banking and financial sectors, and the fast-developing technology that powers the industry today. As part of our integral role in the region’s banking sector, we benchmark, recognise and actively encourage excellence within institutions.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of developing and digitising their growing banking and financial sectors, with the modernisation and enhancement of payments taking a leading role in this generational transformation. Their recent and ongoing initiatives, along with the encouragement of a burgeoning Fintech ecosystem, all powered by innovative technology has placed Saudi Arabia among the leaders in new world of finance.

The MEA Finance Leaders in Technology Innovations & Payments Awards 2026 will bring due recognition, and celebrate the achievements of the region’s leading banks, technology providers, fintechs, the essential services providers, and the leaders in payments who have had standout roles
NOMINATE NOW REGISTER NOW

Key dates

August 28, 2026
Open for Entries
September 25 2026
Submission Deadline
September 30 2026
Judging Process
October 08 2026
Awards Ceremony

Categories

Click below to view individual award categories and submit nominations.

Financial Institutions

Awarded to the bank or financial institution judged to have provided the most innovative or ground breaking digital services in the Saudi Arabian market over recent times.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the Islamic bank or Sharia financial institution judged to have provided the most innovative or ground breaking digital services in the Saudi Arabian market over recent times.
Nominate Now

This award will recognise the digital only bank in Saudi Arabia that can demonstrate that its products and services put it at the head of this growing sector in the country.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the financial institution that demonstrates their risk and cybersecurity implementation provides unparalleled security, discernment and adaptability; safeguarding the business and clients.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the bank or financial institution that through the application of technology provides market leading analytics gathering, interpretation, insights and management to the best advantage of the business, clients and customers.
Nominate Now

This award will be presented to the bank judged to provide the most efficient, adaptable and effective means for customers to engage with and perform a wide range of financial transactions on a mobile device.
Nominate Now

This award goes to the bank or financial institution that most clearly shows products development and/or service delivery placing the customer at the forefront, and thus noticeably improving experiences.
Nominate Now

This award recognises the bank that through the implementation of technology, can show they have most successfully improved services for retail customers while also improving its own performance metrics.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the bank or financial institution providing innovative systems, thinking and practices in corporate banking and finance that has noticeably benefitted clients.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the technology company that best demonstrates the most effective and agile solution for reducing credit risk and mitigate distressed credit circumstances.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the financial institution that has implemented and operates a platform that effectively and efficiently ensures and maintains adherence to regulation and compliance requirements.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the bank or financial institution demonstrating their AML/KYC solution leads the market, being most effective in terms of speed, accuracy and compliance.
Nominate Now

This award goes to the bank of financial institution demonstrating an implementation of Open Banking and the use of APIs that through innovation and has proved to be most beneficial in providing improved utility to the business and customers.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the bank or financial institution demonstrating market leading effectiveness, innovation and flexibility in the application and deployment of a risk and compliance management system.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the bank or Financial Institution that can show that their treasury management system that most effectively address clients requirements while intuitively addressing the individual needs.
Nominate Now

This award will honour the individual that has been judged the best technology leader in the country at a bank or financial institution, through their planning, implementation and deployment of systems that have had the best all-round benefits for both their business and their clients.
Nominate Now

This is awarded to the individual working either in a financial institution, a technology vendor or a fintech that has carved a clear path in the industry and is set to make further impacts upon the region’s banking technology landscape.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the senior executive in a bank or financial institution that has successfully lead change with innovation, positivity, enthusiasm and with a growth mindset that has born fruitful results and created greater efficiencies.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the bank or financial institution providing the most innovative systems and solutions specifically for the financing needs of SMEs in Saudi Arabia.
Nominate Now

Artificial Intelligence

Awarded to the bank or financial institution that can show that they have implemented an AI solution that has improved and enhanced systems and functionality internally while also having clear positive outcomes for customers and clients.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the banks, technology businesses or organisations that have collaborated to best adapt, strengthen and harness AI applications for the enhancement of products and services across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s banking and financial markets.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the bank or financial institution that has demonstrated innovation and thoughtful forward planning in the development and deployment of AI in their business.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the bank or financial institution that has shown innovation, flexibility and comprehensive attention to and provision of AI in the important field of regulatory compliance.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the bank or financial institution that has shown innovation and definitive results in the prevention and detection of fraud resulting from their use of AI.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the bank or financial institution that can demonstrate positive business and customer outcomes from the understanding and use of data and analytics processed through AI.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the technology company that can demonstrate that their AI solution/s have consistently improved the commercial performance of their clients across their business spectrums.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the technology company can definitively show that their AI solution provides the best options, service flexibility and adaptability in the realm of regulatory compliance for financial institutions.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the technology company can definitively show that their AI solution/s provide the best advantageous and most beneficial outcomes from analytical data for banks and financial institutions.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the bank or financial institution that demonstrates the most groundbreaking implementation and deployment of Agentic AI in Saudi Arabia.
Nominate Now

Technology Providers

Awarded to the technology company that can demonstrate that their digital banking solution and service provision has been the market leader in Saudi Arabia.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the technology company that can demonstrate that their digital Islamic banking solution, adherence to Sharia finance tenets and service provision has led the market in Saudi Arabia.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the technology provider that demonstrates their risk and cybersecurity products and service provision provides unparalleled security, discernment and adaptability; safeguarding their customer’s business and clients.
Nominate Now

This award recognizes the technology provider demonstrating innovation and agility in catering to the complex needs of corporate banking, showing innovation and commitment to offering a broad range of technology solutions for corporate banks.
Nominate Now

This award goes to the technology provider that most clearly shows products development and/or service delivery placing their client’s customers at the forefront, and thus noticeably improving experiences.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the technology company that has developed and applied technology that has successfully provided market leading data management resulting in enhanced benefits to their clients business and customers.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the technology vendor that can demonstrate that their risk management solutions are leading the market in all key areas of concern to banks and financial institutions.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the technology vendor that can demonstrate that their risk management solutions are leading the market in all key areas of concern to banks and financial institutions.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the technology company that can show they provide a market leading analytics gathering, interpretation, insights and management to the best advantage of their client’s business and their customers.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the technology company demonstrating their AML/KYC solution leads the market, being most effective in terms of speed, accuracy and compliance.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the technology business providing the most innovative, flexible and secure solutions and service in this highly important and competitive market.
Nominate Now

This will be awarded to the CEO of the technology who has been judged to have led his or her business to noticeable market success though building growth, positive results and inspirational leadership.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the business showing that it has led in providing innovation, ingenuity paired with true market understanding in the delivery of Islamic banking and finance technology in Saudi Arabia.
Nominate Now

Payments

Awarded to the technology or Fintech that can demonstrate market leading innovation in the development and provision of payments solutions.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the Payment Gateway business in Saudi Arabia, clearly providing the best service across factors including payment options, reliability, security, market integration, pricing and currency support.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the technology provider that demonstrates their risk and cybersecurity products and service provision provides unparalleled security, discernment and adaptability; safeguarding their customer’s business and clients.
Nominate Now

Nominees for this award will be companies that have shown the most innovation in making quick clearance and settlement of payments a reality, using underlying payments rails.
Nominate Now

Nominations for this award will be from business that, in addition to providing leading edge technology in payments has, through their implementation also helped to advance their local payments environment.
Nominate Now

The award will be presented to the financial institution, fintech or technology company that can show it has brought the best ease of process and delight to users of their payments systems or methods.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the technology provider in Saudi Arabia that can demonstrate the best solutions and services for the provision of cross-border payments.
Nominate Now

The winner of this award will be users or providers of payments solutions that brought easier access for third party providers or enabled financial institutions to comply with the regulations and increase their services.
Nominate Now

This is awarded to the company or financial institution that best demonstrates both the specific intention and results in bringing all communities the opportunities to transact and create improved life options.
Nominate Now

The award will be presented to the company that demonstrates clear leadership in the provision of anti-fraud security solutions, while successfully balancing the need for frictionless services and managing key user experience KPIs.
Nominate Now

This award goes to remittance payments and over the counter foreign exchange services company providing the best access via a broad branch network, digital services, speed of service and readily available range of currencies, meeting the needs of the communities depending on these services.
Nominate Now

In the highly populated and diverse payments services space, this award will go to the company or institution judged as having made the most successful and beneficial contribution to this sector.
Nominate Now

Nominations are welcome from companies, financial institutions, organisations, associations or individuals that, over the past year to eighteen months, can demonstratively define an innovation of note in the local payments market.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the business that provided a payments technology implementation that enhanced the services offered to their clients’ markets but also, through the overall commission of their activities, contributed to the wider national payments and banking technology development objectives.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the business that provided a payments technology implementation that enhanced the services offered to their clients’ markets but also, through the overall commission of their activities, contributed to the wider national payments and banking technology development objectives.
Nominate Now

Awarded to the company that most definitively demonstrated their leading prowess in the provision of open banking systems that safely and smartly allow banks and fintechs to partner in bringing agility, flexibility, delight and inclusion to the market.
Nominate Now

This award will be presented to the company that in the past twelve to eighteen months has shown the most original and dedicated focus in supplying technology that has offered the most potential or definitively improved the payments experience for the market.
Nominate Now

Winning this award will be a bank or financial institution in the region that has shown market leading initiative in commissioning and implementing quick clearance and settlement of payments using new or underlying payments rails.
Nominate Now

This award is presented to the individual that through their efforts has been assessed to have made the most noticeable contribution to the technological advancement of the payments sector in Saudi Arabia.
Nominate Now

This award is presented to the individual that through their efforts has been assessed to have made the most noticeable contribution to the advancement of service and management in the payments sector in Saudi Arabia.
Nominate Now

Submission Process

MEA Finance conducts its own research to ensure that our awards categories accurately reflect the current payments ecosystem and comprehensively recognise the achievements of the industry.

As a result, we have determined award categories that provide regional recognition to exceptional banks, financial institutions and technology providers who are shaping the new digital financial landscape and have made outstanding contributions to the future of the industry. Institutions can nominate themselves in all relevant categories as deemed appropriate, provided the submission is sent in before the deadline, and in the required format.

 

HOW TO ENTER

STEP 1: Choose your category.
It is important to review the individual descriptions and criteria before choosing your category.
STEP 2: Upload relevant financial performance documents or other relevant information.
STEP 3: Confirm submission of your entry.

Judging Process

The awards will feature a rigorous two-step judging process by a panel of industry experts in collaboration with the MEA Finance editorial team.

  1. All nomination entries will be meticulously evaluated and analysed based on relevant market knowledge, industry research, and accurate company financial statements. The MEA Finance editorial team will then create a shortlist which will be given to the judging panel.
  2. The judging panel will be composed of senior executives from professional services firms working with the banking industry. They will review the shortlist and the submitted materials for each category and place a score from 1 to 5 for each category nominee. All scores will be sent back to the editorial team.
  3. The MEA Finance editorial team will independently score shortlisted institutions per category. Score values will be from 1 to 5. All scores will be kept confidential and will not be released publicly, nor will they be discussed with any individual applicants.
  4. Scores from both the judging panel and the editorial team shall be collected and combined. The editorial team will hold an official tabulation of the scores to determine the highest scoring institution per category which will be declared winner

Previous Sponsors


LEAD SPONSOR

LEAD INNOVATION PARTNER

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSOR

SUPPORTING PARTNER

FOR SPEAKING, SPONSORSHIP & EXHIBITION ENQUIRIES:

Nap Estampador
+971 50 100 5488
nap.estampador@mea-finance.com

Andrew Cover
+971 50 931 3236
andrew.cover@mea-finance.com

Kenneth Mitchen
+971 55 289 1739
ken.mitchen@mea-finance.com

FOR SPEAKING & AGENDA ENQUIRIES:

Natasha Cristi
+971 58 527 1219
natasha@mea-finance.com

Venue

Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya, KSA

Swift & MEA Finance Leaders in Technology Innovations & Payments Summit & Awards 2026 | Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
08 October 2026
Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya, KSA

CONTACT US

Contact No. +971 50 100 5488
Office 404, Building B, Al Saaha Offices, Old Town Island
Burj Khalifa District,
PO Box 487177
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
www.mea-finance.com