Rudy Kawmi Outlines the Future of Banking Technology Across MEA and APAC
Dubai, UAE – At the bustling Dubai FinTech Summit 2025, Rudy Kawmi, Managing Director for Universal Banking at Finastra, delivered a compelling message about the future of banking transformation, the rise of open ecosystems, and the central role of personalization in redefining financial services. Representing one of the world’s most established financial software companies, Kawmi reaffirmed Finastra’s deep-rooted presence and evolving strategy across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific (MEA-APAC) regions.
Finastra: Four Decades of Financial Software Excellence
Founded over 40 years ago, Finastra remains laser-focused on delivering mission-critical software exclusively for the banking and financial services industry. With over a hundred institutional clients across the region, the company is a key enabler of innovation and digital modernization.
“We only serve banks and financial institutions,” said Kawmi. “And we’ve been doing this for a very long time—this is our singular focus.”
The Power of Open Ecosystems in Financial Services
At the heart of Finastra’s approach is the belief in openness and collaboration. Rather than acting as a siloed provider, the company works closely with fintechs, forming ecosystems that allow for agile, flexible, and specialized transformations.
“When it comes to our core banking technology, we work with fintechs. We’re part of an ecosystem,” Kawmi explained. “And banks are increasingly leveraging that ecosystem.”
By attending the Dubai FinTech Summit, Kawmi emphasized the value of walking the floors, engaging directly with innovators, and identifying collaborative opportunities to drive transformation across the banking sector.
Progressive Transformation: A Shift from Monolithic Change
One of the most significant shifts Kawmi highlighted is the trend toward progressive transformation. Unlike the traditional, large-scale technology overhauls, banks are now deploying targeted upgrades—starting with high-priority areas like lending, customer onboarding, or AI tools.
“They no longer rip out entire systems overnight. Instead, they start with one key area, see the impact, and build from there.”
This modular, strategic transformation approach allows financial institutions to innovate without disrupting existing operations, ensuring a more sustainable digital evolution.
Cloud, AI, and the Regional Digital Infrastructure
Technology-wise, cloud adoption continues to accelerate in the MEA and APAC regions. Major players like Microsoft and Google now host data centers locally, helping alleviate compliance concerns and enabling faster deployment of cloud-native solutions.
Unsurprisingly, AI also took center stage in Kawmi’s commentary.
“AI really has a massive ability to change how financial services are delivered—and we’re already seeing that in the market.”
From customer service automation to fraud detection and intelligent lending, AI is being seamlessly integrated into banking systems, driving cost-efficiency and enhancing user experiences.
Personalization: The Next Frontier in Banking
Looking ahead, Kawmi emphasized that personalization will be the defining metric of success for banks.
“Most banks don’t treat you like they know your life and your needs—but they have the data,” he pointed out. “The future is about behaving more like Netflix or Amazon.”
By tapping into data already within their ecosystems, banks can evolve into truly customer-centric organizations, delivering tailored products and life-stage-relevant financial advice. This personalized approach will differentiate the winners in tomorrow’s competitive financial services landscape.
Conclusion: Finastra’s Future-Focused, Collaborative Vision
Rudy Kawmi’s participation at the Dubai FinTech Summit 2025 reaffirmed Finastra’s mission to empower banks through open ecosystems, AI-driven personalization, and progressive transformation. With its strategic footprint across MEA and APAC, the company is well-positioned to guide institutions through the complex but rewarding journey of digital evolution.
As fintechs and banks alike converge on Dubai’s global innovation stage, Finastra’s message is clear: the
