WEBVTT
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00:00:09.462Welcome to the FinTech OS Evolve podcast.
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00:00:14.722I've traveled again into Europe and I'm here in Serbia, Belgrade, first time for me.
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00:00:21.342And I'm delighted to have Nivenka here. We've just quickly rushed in a taxi cab to get here.
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00:00:25.102We've just done a panel discussion about digital modernization strategy,
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00:00:26.942and of course, AI as well.
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00:00:32.322But why don't we start, Nivenka, tell us a bit about your role and the bank
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00:00:34.602that you operate in, and just to set the context.
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00:00:40.362Yeah, I work in a bank in NLB Comercialna Banca here in Belgrade.
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00:00:42.822The bank is a part of the NLB group.
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00:00:47.602Currently, I manage banking products delivery.
00:00:48.302 -->
00:00:53.162Actually, if we would go to the terms like in history, that would be back office.
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00:01:01.542And I am a part of various projects involved in the strategy and very much working
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00:01:03.202on efficiency in our bank. Yeah.
00:01:03.382 -->
00:01:08.182Now, usually I do the introductions, but I was going to trip over how to pronounce
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00:01:11.562your bank, and I was so afraid of doing it, which is why I got you to do it
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00:01:12.582this time around. Excellent.
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00:01:17.022So thankfully, you've taken the burden off me, and I will now refer to it as
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00:01:20.102the bank from now on, just to save myself any embarrassment.
00:01:20.482 -->
00:01:25.842But you say you've been at the heart of product delivery here for your bank in Serbia.
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00:01:31.242And we just spent the morning talking about digital transformation versus modernization
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00:01:36.722and I guess the difference between the two um what's your take on on that here
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00:01:39.502for for NLV and of course for the the region itself.
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00:01:43.599Yeah. I mean, the transformation is for sure happening.
00:01:43.879 -->
00:01:49.499The transformation in, I would say, changing the mindset of our people.
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00:01:53.539The transformation also from the technological point of view,
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00:01:57.279for sure, because that goes hand in hand, especially in these days.
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00:02:02.259And I think that's happening all over the market because things are changing so fast.
00:02:02.399 -->
00:02:09.259The technology is evolving so fast that we actually need to be faster and evolve as we go, actually.
00:02:09.259 -->
00:02:16.239Yeah, and I guess everybody's stuck on quite an old core, and I guess how you
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00:02:21.079build upon that, so you can address those agility and the speed to market and
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00:02:22.979the new products that's going to come out here in the region,
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00:02:25.999it's pretty fundamental. Yeah, it is.
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00:02:32.579Actually, in the terms of a project manager, I would say we are far,
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00:02:37.919far from waterfall, which was the way to go for years and years, right?
00:02:38.719 -->
00:02:46.179We are really focusing on delivering our projects in smaller pieces to have
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00:02:48.799the smaller wins, but the wins are here.
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00:02:52.299With that, we motivate the colleagues that work on the project.
00:02:52.459 -->
00:02:56.919And that's the key point of every project are the people behind it.
00:02:57.039 -->
00:02:59.079The technology, of course, is the enabler.
00:02:59.599 -->
00:03:04.539But people and business need to know why. The technology is how.
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00:03:11.939So that's a big step out of the system and the way of working before towards...
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00:03:14.239And everybody seems to be taking that approach now the days of.
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00:03:18.689Big bang transformations are kind of disappearing in
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00:03:21.669that more modular approach taking
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00:03:24.909things in bite-sized chunks delivering value
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00:03:28.409confidence momentum um you
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00:03:31.149know not very often um a cto ceo a
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00:03:34.189board will start a digital transformation that is finishing in
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00:03:37.569three five years time and you look back and a
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00:03:40.669lot of the executives aren't even there anymore so
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00:03:43.849they've forgotten what they've done it for or they've been moved on because it hasn't delivered
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00:03:46.849the value that is expecting yeah yeah those days
00:03:46.849 -->
00:03:50.269are definitely over we we are constantly looking to
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00:03:54.609have minimal viable project deliveries um
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00:03:59.349and that means that that gives us the opportunity that we are really agile so
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00:04:03.929have a small piece done put it into production see if it works maybe it doesn't
00:04:03.929 -->
00:04:08.429maybe we are too late maybe we did it wrong maybe we didn't listen to the customers
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00:04:11.029good enough we We didn't understand their needs.
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00:04:16.649So that is actually where we are, the way of working.
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00:04:21.349We do still, of course, have projects. We do have the vision.
00:04:21.469 -->
00:04:23.469We do have the strategy that has to be there.
00:04:23.749 -->
00:04:28.669But to get there, we take it step by step much faster with delivering or failing
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00:04:31.389fast, if I may say so. Yeah, absolutely. That's also important. Yeah.
00:04:31.529 -->
00:04:37.289And you said before, the mindset and the culture to be able to deliver that
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00:04:40.069way in smaller chunks, it.
00:04:41.152 -->
00:04:45.852It takes a lot to change that in our old-fashioned bank that has been doing
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00:04:48.152it in the same way in so many, many years.
00:04:48.352 -->
00:04:53.332But I think you said the opening game is not necessarily the technology that fails, it's the people.
00:04:53.972 -->
00:04:58.232It's the people. It's always the people. It has always been the people.
00:04:58.392 -->
00:05:02.152We just didn't maybe recognize it strongly enough.
00:05:02.472 -->
00:05:08.172We focused on the technology in the past. This time, we do know with the AI
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00:05:12.052coming really strongly, right? Yeah. We do need a new mindset.
00:05:12.412 -->
00:05:19.372So in our bank, we have this initiative on the bank level, how we engage people
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00:05:20.972on the operational level.
00:05:21.292 -->
00:05:25.212Of course, we do have top management support. We do know where we're going. Yeah.
00:05:25.732 -->
00:05:27.812The strategy is set, everybody on board. The strategy is there.
00:05:28.052 -->
00:05:31.012But everybody has to be on board, not just the management.
00:05:31.312 -->
00:05:36.432I mean, we need to have our people on board. So we started actually looking
00:05:36.432 -->
00:05:42.692for some champions in our bank that were interested in new technologies or something new,
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00:05:48.552whichever works, whatever works, maybe a way of work, maybe the technology, not always.
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00:05:52.612And we started spreading it from bottom
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00:05:58.292up actually yeah so especially in the operations of the bank where i'm a part
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00:06:05.352of um we have started building this little little improvements and started communicating
00:06:05.352 -->
00:06:11.332to the whole team the team of 100 or 200 people we've done this look.
00:06:12.112 -->
00:06:16.812Think about it think about how it can help you maybe tomorrow it takes time
00:06:16.812 -->
00:06:20.112of course it doesn't happen overnight, but if you work on it,
00:06:20.312 -->
00:06:22.452now it's here, we have the culture here.
00:06:23.292 -->
00:06:26.552I can easily say that every person
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00:06:29.452in operations and now we are spreading all
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00:06:34.072over the bank thinks about why am I doing this this way can yeah constantly
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00:06:39.912questioning it yeah yeah that's that's the the uh constant improvement mindset
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00:06:44.112that we are building actually and and we have the momentum now we have results
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00:06:49.092already yeah and when you have the results it's much easier to on board everybody.
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00:06:54.232You have the buy-in and especially important when you have the buy-in with the
00:06:54.232 -->
00:06:58.872seniors because it's not about always about the young people.
00:06:59.544 -->
00:07:03.304They usually are the first on board, of course. They're interested in new things.
00:07:03.764 -->
00:07:08.864But the seniors, I mean, we were very happy, very impressed.
00:07:08.864 -->
00:07:15.004We have colleagues in my team that are really seniors doing their work for 30 years the same way.
00:07:16.224 -->
00:07:22.124We said, let's try and find another way. Let's look on the market what can help
00:07:22.124 -->
00:07:27.004us do our jobs efficiently. efficiency, of course, efficiently,
00:07:27.224 -->
00:07:30.464and maybe learn something new.
00:07:30.624 -->
00:07:35.644And they were on board from day one that we started with this little project that we had.
00:07:35.884 -->
00:07:41.344They were on board. And imagine the seniors being able now to understand how
00:07:41.344 -->
00:07:44.104AI solution works, how the models are trained.
00:07:44.284 -->
00:07:47.824Imagine the buy-in from other colleagues. I agree.
00:07:48.084 -->
00:07:51.924I agree. And it's a big part of your role is aligning those business
00:07:51.924 -->
00:07:54.804stakeholders and the technology stakeholders together to come
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00:07:57.844to deliver a customer outcome a project a
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00:08:00.604program in a successful way and you know
00:08:00.604 -->
00:08:03.344having champions to be the
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00:08:06.524voice of that and often maybe picking the
00:08:06.524 -->
00:08:09.604the detractors across the bank and converting them
00:08:09.604 -->
00:08:12.324into promoters is is is key way and i
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00:08:15.084think you said thank and i referred to back to the panel we just come from
00:08:15.084 -->
00:08:17.984which is stuck in my head which is listening
00:08:17.984 -->
00:08:20.804to the quietest voice in the room yeah and that's
00:08:20.804 -->
00:08:24.564so super important and a few people come up to me afterwards and said you know
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00:08:30.384what I don't do that actually I listen to the biggest the loudest but actually
00:08:30.384 -->
00:08:34.484some of the greatest ideas and maybe some of the barriers and some of the some
00:08:34.484 -->
00:08:35.504of the insights come from people
00:08:35.504 -->
00:08:39.864who are just maybe not as comfortable in group settings or speaking up.
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00:08:46.897That's something you promote. Yeah. And I promote it because I have failed before in some of the tasks.
00:08:47.117 -->
00:08:49.177And that's brave just to admit it and to say it.
00:08:49.397 -->
00:08:53.417And you've learned from it. I mean, I don't have problem with admitting it because
00:08:53.417 -->
00:08:56.177this is the only way we can learn actually as human beings.
00:08:56.577 -->
00:09:02.697That's my opinion. So I've learned now that every team, whether it's from business,
00:09:02.917 -->
00:09:05.777whether it's from technology, they have to sit together.
00:09:05.957 -->
00:09:09.297Whether it's external vendor, we have to accept everybody.
00:09:09.297 -->
00:09:12.157We are the same team it's not them it's not us
00:09:12.157 -->
00:09:15.117and then um to add to
00:09:15.117 -->
00:09:18.397that always be aware of the quietest person
00:09:18.397 -->
00:09:21.477in the room because most often they
00:09:21.477 -->
00:09:24.257have something relevant to say maybe they're not
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00:09:27.337comfortable as you said maybe i
00:09:27.337 -->
00:09:30.717don't know they're scared of some you
00:09:30.717 -->
00:09:34.097know there are always the relationship relationships
00:09:34.097 -->
00:09:38.017between colleagues yeah the politics of it yeah that
00:09:38.017 -->
00:09:40.957has to be taken into consideration so um
00:09:40.957 -->
00:09:43.757the quietest person in the room you don't need
00:09:43.757 -->
00:09:47.137to address him to ask him in front of everybody if
00:09:47.137 -->
00:09:52.157you see and you have to actually concentrate to see that if you see that the
00:09:52.157 -->
00:09:57.437person doesn't speak yeah maybe later on maybe offline if it's online meeting
00:09:57.437 -->
00:10:04.037let's say yeah um and just nicely approach the the person and say What do you think about it?
00:10:04.497 -->
00:10:12.197And these people often have good remarks, things that you can address on time.
00:10:12.637 -->
00:10:14.037And then these people...
00:10:15.172 -->
00:10:20.632Often feel, I knew that, I said it, but he didn't say it maybe at the right
00:10:20.632 -->
00:10:22.752time and nobody heard him.
00:10:23.012 -->
00:10:27.172So yeah, that's a lesson learned actually. It's really an experience.
00:10:27.412 -->
00:10:29.992I think politics plays a huge role in that.
00:10:30.512 -->
00:10:35.672But we keep circling back to this mindset and change of the culture that every have a voice.
00:10:35.792 -->
00:10:39.192And actually, if you're trying to fundamentally change how a
00:10:39.192 -->
00:10:42.732bank operates or you know a new initiative the people
00:10:42.732 -->
00:10:45.832have been in that organization for 20 30 years
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00:10:49.692that they hold so much intelligence about
00:10:49.692 -->
00:10:52.412how things are truly done not how they've been
00:10:52.412 -->
00:10:55.392written how things are truly done how things customers truly get
00:10:55.392 -->
00:11:00.592around how the staff work their way around systems the little niches they they
00:11:00.592 -->
00:11:04.992and that's where the efficiencies come from actually cutting out those those
00:11:04.992 -->
00:11:07.692levels that just don't need to be done so i think i think it's really brave
00:11:07.692 -->
00:11:12.072and And it's interesting how you then translate that into Serbia as a market
00:11:12.072 -->
00:11:14.792because we're here today, we've just done a panel,
00:11:14.952 -->
00:11:20.312we've had many banks here talking about these subjects and obviously I'm not from Belgrade.
00:11:20.512 -->
00:11:25.032So I find it really interesting, are the banks here...
00:11:26.083 -->
00:11:32.543Ready for this element of transformation and modernization? How early are they in the journey?
00:11:33.183 -->
00:11:37.443I would say we are pretty much at the same stage of this journey.
00:11:37.703 -->
00:11:42.803We are aware, everybody's aware that transformation has to start,
00:11:42.963 -->
00:11:46.043but I would say actually it started in all of the banks, the transformation.
00:11:46.463 -->
00:11:50.683It's visible through different channels that you can see they're opening to
00:11:50.683 -->
00:11:53.163different solutions that they're giving to the market.
00:11:53.963 -->
00:12:00.083Everybody's here, but everybody, we are learning actually how to do it.
00:12:00.263 -->
00:12:04.943And one model doesn't fit every bank. Of course, it depends on what you're focusing in.
00:12:05.543 -->
00:12:14.163So every bank has to recognize where is their human value in where are the values
00:12:14.163 -->
00:12:18.383of the team that are here and how to build on that.
00:12:18.383 -->
00:12:23.003Because again and again as I say and I will probably say a few more times the
00:12:23.003 -->
00:12:24.423technology is the enabler,
00:12:25.063 -->
00:12:32.803it's not the thing that you should fit to but you need to get the best out of
00:12:32.803 -->
00:12:37.483it but fit it to your business cases and that's a bit different for every bank
00:12:37.483 -->
00:12:42.183it depends on the target market that they have or the niches that they work on.
00:12:43.263 -->
00:12:46.163But I think we are all here I would say
00:12:46.163 -->
00:12:49.843not just in serbia i would say in europe also maybe
00:12:49.843 -->
00:12:53.103you mean you're from slovenia yeah i'm from slovenia i
00:12:53.103 -->
00:12:56.523would say in slovenia also um the transformation in
00:12:56.523 -->
00:12:59.363the manner of learning how to do
00:12:59.363 -->
00:13:02.463things differently again i'm returning to
00:13:02.463 -->
00:13:08.403the mindset of the people right because technology is there there's so many
00:13:08.403 -->
00:13:13.843different technologies we we can always pick one and do but do you pick so So
00:13:13.843 -->
00:13:19.923it's such a fast-moving market now with new technology players,
00:13:20.163 -->
00:13:22.743new initiatives, things that we think we know today,
00:13:23.223 -->
00:13:27.503even tomorrow, they're changing because that's how fast-paced this is.
00:13:27.723 -->
00:13:29.963How do you and your bank...
00:13:30.675 -->
00:13:34.115Look and prioritize these initiatives or evaluate them and say,
00:13:34.315 -->
00:13:38.495this is the one for us and not just for today, but for tomorrow as well.
00:13:39.515 -->
00:13:44.775Well, it's a bit tricky these days. Of course, you need to have the strategic
00:13:44.775 -->
00:13:48.635view on where first the business, right? Where you want to go.
00:13:49.075 -->
00:13:52.755What do I need to get there? That's the first thing that you're asking.
00:13:52.955 -->
00:13:54.875Where is the value for the customer?
00:13:55.095 -->
00:13:58.795Always customer first, then employee experience. um
00:13:58.795 -->
00:14:01.575so how do i get there and then
00:14:01.575 -->
00:14:04.775when we go sometimes we have internal development sometimes
00:14:04.775 -->
00:14:07.675we work with a partner it's a combination and that's okay
00:14:07.675 -->
00:14:10.935it's healthy this way i think um but when
00:14:10.935 -->
00:14:13.855we decide okay um that's the solution we want
00:14:13.855 -->
00:14:17.195to have we see something on the market we go into
00:14:17.195 -->
00:14:20.235the processes of procurement of course we um
00:14:20.235 -->
00:14:23.795as we have to and um lately
00:14:23.795 -->
00:14:26.915we decide okay we this one fits
00:14:26.915 -->
00:14:30.715best today and it can fit um
00:14:30.715 -->
00:14:37.055for a year two three but we are aware that within this period of one two three
00:14:37.055 -->
00:14:42.935years it depends there will be new things on the market maybe much better also
00:14:42.935 -->
00:14:48.315it's on the partners if this is a partner solution that they involve evolve their.
00:14:49.095 -->
00:14:51.875Technology they need to constantly invest in their platforms yeah
00:14:51.875 -->
00:14:54.575they need to constantly invest and from the other
00:14:54.575 -->
00:14:58.195side we need to constantly follow what's happening and
00:14:58.195 -->
00:15:02.175um so actually strategically we
00:15:02.175 -->
00:15:06.695don't sign contracts for 10 years anymore i mean it wouldn't make sense at all
00:15:06.695 -->
00:15:10.275you're just locked in yeah you're just locked in and then you have an issue
00:15:10.275 -->
00:15:15.375because maybe somebody is not able to deliver what you need yeah um so my latest
00:15:15.375 -->
00:15:18.755experience was we signed the contract for three years,
00:15:19.635 -->
00:15:23.695but within these three years, we today already know, we have implemented this,
00:15:23.815 -->
00:15:28.295but we today already know that there are better solutions on the market,
00:15:29.145 -->
00:15:35.425Of course, we expect the provider that we have today to also upgrade the solution.
00:15:35.725 -->
00:15:43.205But maybe we will check the market within this time of three-year period and see maybe to change.
00:15:43.405 -->
00:15:50.145Because today, to add another satellite in our technology stack,
00:15:50.305 -->
00:15:52.125right? It's not that hard anymore.
00:15:52.685 -->
00:15:58.165It's not like it used to be the integration because we are much more mature in that manner.
00:15:59.145 -->
00:16:01.785So, yeah, constantly...
00:16:02.525 -->
00:16:05.645Researching the market but of course we
00:16:05.645 -->
00:16:08.945need to do the job so we need to take the decisions yeah
00:16:08.945 -->
00:16:12.285um sooner rather later i
00:16:12.285 -->
00:16:15.385can say um and that's the
00:16:15.385 -->
00:16:18.245way we do things i think you're right i think um this i
00:16:18.245 -->
00:16:21.665think is on uh technology platforms to
00:16:21.665 -->
00:16:24.905really be aligned with banks vision
00:16:24.905 -->
00:16:27.585and where they're trying to get to and banks need
00:16:27.585 -->
00:16:30.345to be open about what their strategy years and not be
00:16:30.345 -->
00:16:33.025a closed door and actually talk really openly about it and be
00:16:33.025 -->
00:16:35.665honest that maybe they're in retail banking and they want to
00:16:35.665 -->
00:16:39.305move into SME or capital markets or corporate and
00:16:39.305 -->
00:16:42.805then the platforms look at their capabilities and be
00:16:42.805 -->
00:16:45.565honest about where that roadmap sits and where they can
00:16:45.565 -->
00:16:48.985solve the problem today and work with you and co-create co-design
00:16:48.985 -->
00:16:51.985the future aspects of the proposition you
00:16:51.985 -->
00:16:55.005want to deliver but you hear this term partnership
00:16:55.005 -->
00:16:58.125all the time and I sometimes used a bit loosely but the true
00:16:58.125 -->
00:17:01.045partnership is where the bank and the the
00:17:01.045 -->
00:17:04.045ecosystem provider are truly working together and
00:17:04.045 -->
00:17:07.385they're informing each other's roadmap so not only is the the
00:17:07.385 -->
00:17:10.405bank saying actually we're going to get capital markets can you help code design
00:17:10.405 -->
00:17:14.405some customer journeys some products but then also the provider going to the
00:17:14.405 -->
00:17:17.125bank actually you know what we're talking to a lot of people it's a niche here
00:17:17.125 -->
00:17:21.105for you it's you know young savers and actually the big banks aren't interested
00:17:21.105 -->
00:17:25.625and here's some of the features that we think could be really cool and that That becomes really,
00:17:25.985 -->
00:17:28.845that becomes a true form of partnership, brings loyalty.
00:17:29.225 -->
00:17:32.045And suddenly then you're in the three year, it's a no brainer to be,
00:17:32.305 -->
00:17:34.445that's the partner for you and you can grow.
00:17:34.505 -->
00:17:37.325And I think that level of honesty is starting to get there and I'm starting
00:17:37.325 -->
00:17:40.165to see it as well where banks are okay with that.
00:17:41.745 -->
00:17:45.245And so it just gets abounded. And the other thing I'd say about,
00:17:45.445 -->
00:17:50.105he's talking about digital transformation and human, if I could change one thing,
00:17:50.365 -->
00:17:54.465I would switch the two words around and rather it'd be digital transformation,
00:17:54.585 -->
00:17:58.425I'd call it transformation with digital because so much empathy gets put on
00:17:58.425 -->
00:18:01.085the word digital that people forget to transform.
00:18:01.886 -->
00:18:05.746Yes, that's exactly why I always emphasize the people.
00:18:06.566 -->
00:18:10.526The technology is here. Yes, we are digital, but the people are important.
00:18:10.886 -->
00:18:14.426The people, of course, from one hand, the people that work in a bank,
00:18:14.566 -->
00:18:18.046so our employees, and from the other hand, our customers.
00:18:18.366 -->
00:18:21.306I mean, we are here for our customers, right? Yeah.
00:18:21.726 -->
00:18:27.726So, I agree totally with your proposal to change it. Switch it around.
00:18:27.966 -->
00:18:31.866Switch it around. Absolutely. yeah and i guess all these
00:18:31.866 -->
00:18:34.906initiatives uh and they're endless right um
00:18:34.906 -->
00:18:37.526they they cost money let's be honest about they cost a
00:18:37.526 -->
00:18:40.566lot of money um and there'll always
00:18:40.566 -->
00:18:43.566be skepticism on are they
00:18:43.566 -->
00:18:46.166going to deliver first of all they're going to deliver the customer outcomes that's the
00:18:46.166 -->
00:18:49.086key thing but also are they going to have a
00:18:49.086 -->
00:18:52.146if there's a cfo in the room but say are they going to return on the
00:18:52.146 -->
00:18:54.766investment and i guess there's two sides of
00:18:54.766 -->
00:18:57.666the coin which is yeah you know you can spend money to to
00:18:57.666 -->
00:19:01.606make money ultimately nobody's a charity but there's also we need to do this
00:19:01.606 -->
00:19:04.946because if we don't do it here is the outcome so it's going to cost money it
00:19:04.946 -->
00:19:07.466might not even return but if we don't do it we're going to lose our customers
00:19:07.466 -->
00:19:11.186to competitors down the road or you know we've got to do it to keep the wheels
00:19:11.186 -->
00:19:15.926turning or fear of whatever it might be so you i know you do but you've seen
00:19:15.926 -->
00:19:17.426a few business cases in the past and.
00:19:18.506 -->
00:19:21.866What's what how do you start to measure them and what's the kpis and the metrics
00:19:21.866 -->
00:19:25.886that you truly measure to see if there's success or not?
00:19:28.173 -->
00:19:33.293We truly, truly measure the processes, the efficiency of the processes when
00:19:33.293 -->
00:19:35.253it comes to the processes of the bank, right?
00:19:35.713 -->
00:19:43.313From the other hand, we measure, of course, our profit through our fees and interest rates.
00:19:43.793 -->
00:19:45.733So that's another metric.
00:19:46.213 -->
00:19:51.313But it all comes down to each individual business case.
00:19:51.813 -->
00:19:56.353Behind every idea, there should be a business case.
00:19:56.473 -->
00:20:02.613Yeah, absolutely. Maybe at the end of this business case, there's just a competition is here.
00:20:03.253 -->
00:20:07.813They are all on this train and we need to join the train.
00:20:08.253 -->
00:20:13.053Sometimes it's that. In majority of cases, of course, we always try to find
00:20:13.053 -->
00:20:19.533something that we can either lower the costs or make more profit. Of course, we are a bank.
00:20:20.433 -->
00:20:26.253But the business cases are crucial. And again, it depends on the case where
00:20:26.253 -->
00:20:29.693we look for the benefits, because benefits can be different.
00:20:30.753 -->
00:20:34.653And I think when we discuss efficiency...
00:20:35.888 -->
00:20:42.228As a business case, at the end, this efficiency should be seen also towards the customers.
00:20:42.628 -->
00:20:45.508How? We are faster, most probably, if we are efficient.
00:20:45.868 -->
00:20:51.328We are faster. Maybe we have done something on the quality of our deliveries, right?
00:20:51.628 -->
00:20:56.248And that comes from this efficiency also. So I think it's hand in hand.
00:20:56.428 -->
00:21:02.068It's not either one or the second, but it's somehow connected.
00:21:03.228 -->
00:21:06.288And I say this a lot of times to my colleagues when
00:21:06.288 -->
00:21:09.348we are discussing internal processes within my team and
00:21:09.348 -->
00:21:12.648what can we do more about it and how can we be faster and
00:21:12.648 -->
00:21:15.708more efficient and there's always somebody that asks
00:21:15.708 -->
00:21:21.668but what does the customer has out of this I mean we are investing our money
00:21:21.668 -->
00:21:28.008into this but of course the customer has at the end if nothing else on time
00:21:28.008 -->
00:21:33.568whatever we need to deliver and with the exact data as we are obliged to give them,
00:21:33.848 -->
00:21:36.528as we are regulated, and faster.
00:21:36.968 -->
00:21:40.788That's important for the customer. Yeah, the voice of the customer is really...
00:21:40.788 -->
00:21:45.048There was a story, I think, I can't remember who it was, I think it might have
00:21:45.048 -->
00:21:50.788been Amazon, or one of the big tech companies, that whenever they have a board meeting...
00:21:51.372 -->
00:21:56.112They always leave an empty chair. And the reason an empty chair is because they
00:21:56.112 -->
00:21:58.832say, what does the customer think? And they point to the empty chair.
00:21:59.012 -->
00:22:00.532And it's always the comeback.
00:22:00.772 -->
00:22:06.852And it's interesting because ultimately, even in Serbia, the expectations of
00:22:06.852 -->
00:22:10.512a customer is no different to a customer in the UK, in Moldova,
00:22:10.612 -->
00:22:11.952in Romania, even in the States.
00:22:12.592 -->
00:22:17.972It's being digitally enabled. The next generation, or even my son's 18,
00:22:18.492 -->
00:22:24.232that generation of new customers, expect banking at the fingertips.
00:22:25.132 -->
00:22:28.992Interesting that you're mentioning this because I had an opportunity to work
00:22:28.992 -->
00:22:30.352with a group of students.
00:22:31.652 -->
00:22:37.392We have a program that we invite students that are actually still studying to
00:22:37.392 -->
00:22:40.132our bank to get to know the banking.
00:22:40.392 -->
00:22:45.772They're not necessarily students of economy, but to get to know the banking.
00:22:46.112 -->
00:22:52.032And I had the opportunity and it was a great pleasure to work with for wonderful girls.
00:22:53.001 -->
00:22:59.261Well, women. And I've asked them after the discussion how the bank works,
00:22:59.361 -->
00:23:05.341how we operate, how much we are regulated, and where we are towards digitalization and so on.
00:23:05.881 -->
00:23:09.821And I said, what do you expect? You're 20, 21.
00:23:10.021 -->
00:23:17.021What do you expect from a bank? And all four said, I don't ever want to step into the branch.
00:23:17.481 -->
00:23:20.101This is all I need. Here's my phone.
00:23:20.601 -->
00:23:24.801Here's my phone. That's all I need. So make sure you're there.
00:23:25.401 -->
00:23:29.401So, I mean, we all know that, right? We are thinking about it.
00:23:29.521 -->
00:23:31.561It doesn't matter if you're 20, 30, 40.
00:23:32.201 -->
00:23:34.741Actually, in these days, who wants to go to the branch?
00:23:36.921 -->
00:23:41.601But the message was so strong, so loud, actually.
00:23:42.001 -->
00:23:48.081Don't even think about if you want to attract us as the younger generations.
00:23:48.101 -->
00:23:51.161And we need to attract, of course, the younger generations.
00:23:51.161 -->
00:23:55.001If you want to have as your clients then don't
00:23:55.001 -->
00:23:58.061make me go to a branch ever ever yeah right
00:23:58.061 -->
00:24:01.241so that's that's i think very important and i
00:24:01.241 -->
00:24:04.661think it is my uh my son recently opened
00:24:04.661 -->
00:24:08.061up i mean they come from a family of bankers my dad was a banker 40 years before
00:24:08.061 -->
00:24:12.981me so you know it's not a new concept for him but uh even as 18 year old he
00:24:12.981 -->
00:24:18.521had to open up his first uh kind of student account with many banks and we looked
00:24:18.521 -->
00:24:23.341at so many of the big banks in the UK and we got so fine in the process and he's like dad I'm.
00:24:24.302 -->
00:24:28.742I'm bored now this is just hard work and he just wanted the path of least resistance,
00:24:29.262 -->
00:24:32.002and so you then step to the neobanks that give this
00:24:32.002 -->
00:24:35.202fantastic app experience now we
00:24:35.202 -->
00:24:38.342all know that there's maybe there's not much behind that but you know
00:24:38.342 -->
00:24:41.522they've kept captulated that young audience that
00:24:41.522 -->
00:24:44.422want the the banking at the fingertips and they make
00:24:44.422 -->
00:24:47.382it um as fun as it possibly could be to onboard
00:24:47.382 -->
00:24:50.482and to open a bank account those are features that are relevant for
00:24:50.482 -->
00:24:54.222that card trade that this kind of hyper personalization of features
00:24:54.222 -->
00:24:57.402that at life stages of people's uh
00:24:57.402 -->
00:25:01.002so they've really captured that market um and
00:25:01.002 -->
00:25:07.362then in the post came a physical debit card he kind of literally went what do
00:25:07.362 -->
00:25:11.422i do with that and he literally i mean he's moved he's gone to university now
00:25:11.422 -->
00:25:15.442that bank card is still in his desk at home he's never going to use that bank
00:25:15.442 -->
00:25:18.622card it's it's on the phone it's that it's apple pay or whatever it might be
00:25:19.042 -->
00:25:20.662and it just made me to giggle because I thought.
00:25:21.890 -->
00:25:27.190Yeah, that's it. Today, that's it. That's it for the younger. That's absolutely it.
00:25:27.790 -->
00:25:32.990Our generations, if I may say so, we are still, of course, I have everything on the phone. Yes.
00:25:33.210 -->
00:25:36.930But I always carry just in case my card with me.
00:25:37.230 -->
00:25:40.110Maybe the phone will not work. Maybe something happened, right?
00:25:40.290 -->
00:25:44.210Yeah. But I also see this with my daughter. She's 27 years old.
00:25:45.050 -->
00:25:48.010The phone is her life. Yeah, yeah, absolutely. there's
00:25:48.010 -->
00:25:51.550no discussion about it so yeah being being
00:25:51.550 -->
00:25:54.510able to follow that expectation to deliver
00:25:54.510 -->
00:25:59.170on that expectation that's a job because realistically that
00:25:59.170 -->
00:26:02.230affects also the business models of the
00:26:02.230 -->
00:26:05.130banks in the future and that future is not so far
00:26:05.130 -->
00:26:08.230far away yeah as you mentioned already
00:26:08.230 -->
00:26:11.170some of the other competition that it's not the banking industry
00:26:11.170 -->
00:26:14.210but they have it they have all these gadget features
00:26:14.210 -->
00:26:17.430that are very interesting right um so
00:26:17.430 -->
00:26:20.230the banking models i think in a
00:26:20.230 -->
00:26:23.390very near future we'll have to adapt to this new
00:26:23.390 -->
00:26:29.530reality that we are living in and whoever doesn't adapt well most probably will
00:26:29.530 -->
00:26:34.570not be for long on the market just to make you feel better in my pocket i do
00:26:34.570 -->
00:26:40.730still have debit cards and i still have some cash i can't remember i I just used it.
00:26:41.350 -->
00:26:46.690I even got some local currency, just in case. Just in case. Because it's just in case.
00:26:46.890 -->
00:26:48.670What happens if they don't accept
00:26:48.670 -->
00:26:51.950Applebee? What if they don't accept a card? I better have some cash.
00:26:52.130 -->
00:26:56.030If my son arrived here yesterday as I did and...
00:26:57.413 -->
00:27:00.253Had to order a taxi and pay
00:27:00.253 -->
00:27:02.953cash or card he wouldn't get very far and he'd be like
00:27:02.953 -->
00:27:05.533but he is responsible that this is terrible it's a
00:27:05.533 -->
00:27:08.313terrible experience and his entry point into the country
00:27:08.313 -->
00:27:11.133would be like yeah this is a bad experience bad
00:27:11.133 -->
00:27:14.193experience it's digitally enabled how can i possibly operate as
00:27:14.193 -->
00:27:16.873a human being without using my phone to to make
00:27:16.873 -->
00:27:19.993payments and schedule things and my my uh
00:27:19.993 -->
00:27:23.653advice to my daughter when she travels always is do
00:27:23.653 -->
00:27:26.673a bit of a checkup on the country that you're traveling to because
00:27:26.673 -->
00:27:29.833different countries are in different stages of involvement
00:27:29.833 -->
00:27:33.093of digital right there are some countries which
00:27:33.093 -->
00:27:36.373there's still a lot of cash so do a bit of research just
00:27:36.373 -->
00:27:39.253be prepared that you don't land on the airport and
00:27:39.253 -->
00:27:42.533you cannot get a taxi because you don't have a cash because also
00:27:42.533 -->
00:27:49.753atms are now being withdrawn from the markets very much yeah um also on the
00:27:49.753 -->
00:27:54.393market of the i mean on the area of european union there's a quite a strong
00:27:54.393 -->
00:27:59.893push towards withdrawing the cash out of the cashless society.
00:27:59.893 -->
00:28:04.893There are some fights back now, I mean, expected, if you ask me.
00:28:05.573 -->
00:28:12.053But yeah, the younger generations, absolutely, digital, digital, end-to-end digital.
00:28:12.293 -->
00:28:18.093They don't care how in behind that works. And this behind part that actually
00:28:18.093 -->
00:28:23.693is the bank as today is will for sure be changed in a few years,
00:28:23.713 -->
00:28:26.133how it will look, how many people will be needed.
00:28:27.175 -->
00:28:30.235Different skills actually maybe the number will not
00:28:30.235 -->
00:28:33.375dressed drastically drop yeah uh the
00:28:33.375 -->
00:28:36.075number of employees maybe not but the skills will be
00:28:36.075 -->
00:28:39.095different yeah right they expect the skills to have
00:28:39.095 -->
00:28:42.235on daily on on your job uh to
00:28:42.235 -->
00:28:45.435operate with this is for sure changing how is
00:28:45.435 -->
00:28:49.015your bank doing in terms of this digital label uh onboarding you
00:28:49.015 -->
00:28:52.035know having a great onboarding journey for current account savings
00:28:52.035 -->
00:28:56.055for retail for sma even
00:28:56.055 -->
00:28:59.315into lending how are you getting on in that journey yeah we
00:28:59.315 -->
00:29:02.355we are on the journey for um for some
00:29:02.355 -->
00:29:05.075segments we already are there for some we
00:29:05.075 -->
00:29:09.355are still working we also have some legislation maybe
00:29:09.355 -->
00:29:12.075that needs to be addressed or maybe challenged a bit
00:29:12.075 -->
00:29:15.135yeah absolutely but um i mean
00:29:15.135 -->
00:29:18.015this is absolutely something that i think all
00:29:18.015 -->
00:29:20.895the on the level of the country it needs to be
00:29:20.895 -->
00:29:23.815actually from the if not nothing else
00:29:23.815 -->
00:29:26.555from the bank side bank banks needs to push it right
00:29:26.555 -->
00:29:32.515and this transition will take some time but it's possible already today uh so
00:29:32.515 -->
00:29:38.275we are on the journey working on it and pretty sure next year we will be fully
00:29:38.275 -->
00:29:45.855um digital also for the onboarding side yeah yeah so and you are also slightly ai enabled Right.
00:29:46.035 -->
00:29:50.515So you've actually started playing with some AI tools and some AI initiatives.
00:29:50.675 -->
00:29:55.195And we've talked before around a lot of these do fail and it's okay to fail.
00:29:55.235 -->
00:29:58.455Fail fast is, as you say, it's part of the, it's part of the process and having
00:29:58.455 -->
00:30:01.055a mindset to, to try something and it doesn't work and quickly.
00:30:01.255 -->
00:30:03.135You know, recycle back and try something new.
00:30:03.255 -->
00:30:06.435And, but you've, you and your bank have actually deployed.
00:30:07.019 -->
00:30:12.639Um an AI initiative and it's I won't spoil the the surprise but it's been successful and you
00:30:12.979 -->
00:30:16.739can actually measure it yeah it's really successful and we we of course are
00:30:16.739 -->
00:30:21.699measuring it all we we did plan we did we did prepare the business case we did
00:30:21.699 -->
00:30:25.999the assessment and actually it all came true so we are we are very successful
00:30:25.999 -->
00:30:31.819yes in that part uh maybe to mention before AI In the past few years,
00:30:32.099 -->
00:30:38.099we have strongly really had a push on the development of RPA.
00:30:38.359 -->
00:30:40.539I don't know. It's not the new technology.
00:30:41.499 -->
00:30:46.659But it's easy to use. It's easy to deliver the RPAs.
00:30:47.679 -->
00:30:52.059And we have built a wonderful community within the bank that now everybody knows
00:30:52.059 -->
00:30:54.779that our colleagues are also robots, as we call them.
00:30:55.119 -->
00:30:57.179We didn't give them names yet. I don't know why.
00:30:57.819 -->
00:31:00.859But there's many of them. Maybe we would run out of names.
00:31:01.199 -->
00:31:07.019Yeah, but on top of that, when we saw that actually RPA is fantastic for some
00:31:07.019 -->
00:31:11.839repetitive tasks, we started in, of course, in the operations.
00:31:11.839 -->
00:31:16.339Now we are spreading the knowledge on how to use it and for what actually can it be used.
00:31:16.659 -->
00:31:19.879And on top of that, we started playing with AI.
00:31:20.119 -->
00:31:23.079When I say playing, I mean we
00:31:23.079 -->
00:31:28.459gave the opportunity to a big number of our colleagues to have AI tools.
00:31:29.279 -->
00:31:34.539Um, uh, now these AI tools are all the same on the NLB group level.
00:31:35.019 -->
00:31:40.259And actually we said for the first, I don't know, few months,
00:31:40.479 -->
00:31:45.019maybe let's play with it. Let's learn what it can do, what it cannot do.
00:31:45.219 -->
00:31:52.639So again, within my team, um, I said, whatever you think of, give it a chance.
00:31:53.327 -->
00:31:56.467Um give them the task
00:31:56.467 -->
00:31:59.607um give the instructions we had
00:31:59.607 -->
00:32:02.767the education on how to write prompts we did
00:32:02.767 -->
00:32:05.927all that yeah and then i said just try it with whatever
00:32:05.927 -->
00:32:08.787you are doing on a daily basis and here
00:32:08.787 -->
00:32:12.087is where we had expectations in some ways quite
00:32:12.087 -->
00:32:14.907big expectations and here is where i can say
00:32:14.907 -->
00:32:18.867maybe our expectations um well
00:32:18.867 -->
00:32:22.027rather i can say i was disappointed because in some
00:32:22.027 -->
00:32:25.607for some business cases it was like uh
00:32:25.607 -->
00:32:28.467be fast be first and with that
00:32:28.467 -->
00:32:31.507we all also failed first right but it
00:32:31.507 -->
00:32:34.547was okay it was not in production it was something that
00:32:34.547 -->
00:32:38.027we were playing with yeah um we also discovered uh
00:32:38.027 -->
00:32:41.327during the time that we are playing with it that what for
00:32:41.327 -->
00:32:44.387what actually we can use it and it's a
00:32:44.387 -->
00:32:47.187fantastic assistant yeah to each and every
00:32:47.187 -->
00:32:49.927employee if they are willing to use it
00:32:49.927 -->
00:32:52.627yeah um and on top of
00:32:52.627 -->
00:32:55.567that now i'm coming to the ai uh success story so
00:32:55.567 -->
00:32:58.927far we have implemented one of the ai uh
00:32:58.927 -->
00:33:04.087partner solutions so it's not built within the bank yeah we've made sure that
00:33:04.087 -->
00:33:08.427all the security that it's needed through like regulation and whatever is covered
00:33:08.427 -->
00:33:14.427so we are fine with that and then we implement it into the end of june into
00:33:14.427 -->
00:33:17.847our first process the one of the ai tools that we have.
00:33:18.047 -->
00:33:25.707And actually confirmed the KPIs that were set, so actually from 35 minutes to 2 minutes of.
00:33:26.689 -->
00:33:30.649Being done the work, right? It's fantastic, yeah. And maybe the biggest win
00:33:30.649 -->
00:33:33.029here is that the seniors got involved.
00:33:33.269 -->
00:33:36.649I mean, for everybody, that was the biggest surprise, I would say,
00:33:36.769 -->
00:33:42.689because the seniors actually today are using this solution, working with it
00:33:42.689 -->
00:33:45.289daily, seeing the results.
00:33:46.709 -->
00:33:54.169And if needed, even do the changes in the models that are set.
00:33:54.749 -->
00:33:57.689I mean, they have learned so much about the solution and
00:33:57.689 -->
00:34:00.709the solution is so user friendly that actually the
00:34:00.709 -->
00:34:03.569employee can do some changes within it and and that's
00:34:03.569 -->
00:34:06.489what we're looking for right not to be dependent on our
00:34:06.489 -->
00:34:09.349internal it or the provider yeah yeah but
00:34:09.349 -->
00:34:12.049we have a chance to do it ourselves you have the keys to
00:34:12.049 -->
00:34:15.249the car we have the keys to the car that i mean that's fantastic so
00:34:15.249 -->
00:34:18.309the efficiency here was absolutely as we expected it
00:34:18.309 -->
00:34:21.069to be it sounds like leading from the top because actually if you get that senior
00:34:21.069 -->
00:34:24.149buy-in and people see that that's just
00:34:24.149 -->
00:34:26.889an extra motivation for well if they're using it
00:34:26.889 -->
00:34:29.709and they're trusting it then we absolutely
00:34:29.709 -->
00:34:33.049need to ourselves but it's great that you get that buy-in we
00:34:33.049 -->
00:34:36.129we do have i mean the the support from top management
00:34:36.129 -->
00:34:41.609is fantastic i i mean i really i can honestly say that and the buy-in on the
00:34:41.609 -->
00:34:46.549operational level as i mentioned at the beginning well that's where the the
00:34:46.549 -->
00:34:50.549the magic happens when you have the buying on operational level actually that's
00:34:50.549 -->
00:34:53.869when the magic happens um because um.
00:34:54.821 -->
00:35:00.021This is a step-by-step approach, and if you are successful with something that
00:35:00.021 -->
00:35:04.781you're doing, and you show it, and you say to everybody who's interested,
00:35:04.921 -->
00:35:07.861right, come and see. Let us show you what we've done.
00:35:08.561 -->
00:35:12.761And a lot of people are interested. I know we often say that people don't like
00:35:12.761 -->
00:35:15.921changes, but they're curious. If nothing else, they're curious, right?
00:35:16.101 -->
00:35:21.701So a lot of people come and want to see what we've done. And then they start
00:35:21.701 -->
00:35:24.801thinking, oh, my God, maybe I can use that in my process.
00:35:26.641 -->
00:35:31.801But maybe just not to forget, because I didn't mention it, and it's very important,
00:35:32.101 -->
00:35:33.981always start with the process.
00:35:34.141 -->
00:35:38.301Because there's a hard rule that I really follow.
00:35:39.501 -->
00:35:45.501Don't robotize. Don't implement AI. Don't do anything if the process is not good.
00:35:45.981 -->
00:35:49.061Absolutely agree. Yeah. So that's also one of the key points.
00:35:49.061 -->
00:35:53.441I often see, or I have seen, really speak over some of the old shops that I
00:35:53.441 -->
00:35:58.341used to work at, where they would go out and buy a new piece of technology.
00:35:59.721 -->
00:36:02.541And, you know, it doesn't quite fit the way they do it today.
00:36:02.741 -->
00:36:05.661Not necessarily in the first line, but maybe in second line functions,
00:36:06.041 -->
00:36:12.821the risk functions, where they'd end up trying to shape the technology to fit their current process.
00:36:14.301 -->
00:36:18.161Rather than shape the process to fit the technology and then evolve with it.
00:36:18.161 -->
00:36:22.161So you end up spending all this money to do something exactly the same.
00:36:23.682 -->
00:36:26.602But you're a couple of million down yeah and that
00:36:26.602 -->
00:36:30.122we keep going back to culture mindset and the
00:36:30.122 -->
00:36:32.742kind of keep constantly asking why are we doing this why are we doing this why
00:36:32.742 -->
00:36:37.082are we doing this and i mean to be honest mark we we've all done that right
00:36:37.082 -->
00:36:43.122in the past i also have experience uh thinking that buying another solution
00:36:43.122 -->
00:36:49.682will solve all the issues yeah i mean you just have another solution in the VAT process.
00:36:50.142 -->
00:36:54.822These are the hard lessons that we learn. And there is investment in that.
00:36:55.022 -->
00:37:00.042And for sure, you didn't solve the problem and you have just another application to use.
00:37:00.242 -->
00:37:03.142So these are the lessons learned.
00:37:03.402 -->
00:37:06.702I think we have to keep in mind constantly
00:37:06.702 -->
00:37:09.842when discussing which solution
00:37:09.842 -->
00:37:12.702is a solution and when to go into
00:37:12.702 -->
00:37:15.842the investment of buying new either ai tool
00:37:15.842 -->
00:37:19.562or whichever solution on the market that we need so start
00:37:19.562 -->
00:37:22.622with the process do the the homework
00:37:22.622 -->
00:37:25.562on the process and then see what you
00:37:25.562 -->
00:37:29.402actually need yeah yeah and i guess with ai with great
00:37:29.402 -->
00:37:32.782power comes great responsibility in that you
00:37:32.782 -->
00:37:36.222are you're you're trusting these
00:37:36.222 -->
00:37:39.322tools to make decisions to create processes
00:37:39.322 -->
00:37:42.042do things a new way and eventually you're going to put
00:37:42.042 -->
00:37:44.762them in the hands of customers who might be quite
00:37:44.762 -->
00:37:47.922fearful of the transparency or the ethics
00:37:47.922 -->
00:37:50.862or whatever it might be that's powering it how did
00:37:50.862 -->
00:37:55.782um how did you have those conversations and cross those barriers that's at your
00:37:55.782 -->
00:38:00.882bank and you know how did you set yourself up so that you was you had the right
00:38:00.882 -->
00:38:04.442policies and the right governance in place to allow yourself to comfortably
00:38:04.442 -->
00:38:09.382sit there and go you know what we're good with this and we can show auditability,
00:38:09.562 -->
00:38:11.362we can show traceability. Yeah.
00:38:11.862 -->
00:38:13.942I would say for us, um.
00:38:15.194 -->
00:38:21.614The smart decision was the decision, okay, let's try with the AI.
00:38:24.054 -->
00:38:28.634Try in a manner that only affects internal processes at the beginning.
00:38:28.634 -->
00:38:29.414Yeah, so go internal first.
00:38:29.554 -->
00:38:32.494So don't go towards clients at the beginning.
00:38:34.234 -->
00:38:40.794Have a solution or either from the partner or either we build it ourselves that
00:38:40.794 -->
00:38:42.894we really understand how it works.
00:38:42.894 -->
00:38:51.774So for now, we are in the production with the solution that actually demands training the modules.
00:38:52.194 -->
00:38:56.234So you train them. You train them with your data. You train them.
00:38:56.734 -->
00:39:01.374And we still have a human in the loop, to be honest. And that's interesting. It's not end-to-end.
00:39:01.634 -->
00:39:05.134You need it still. Yeah. We still have a human in the loop. Yeah.
00:39:05.834 -->
00:39:09.714We need to be really sure and comfortable with.
00:39:10.828 -->
00:39:13.888Whenever the day comes to say okay this
00:39:13.888 -->
00:39:16.948doesn't need to be monitored anymore i don't know when this
00:39:16.948 -->
00:39:20.588will happen yeah but for sure efficiency is much
00:39:20.588 -->
00:39:23.508better in the processes where we have it yeah but we
00:39:23.508 -->
00:39:26.328were aware that the human will still be in the loop yeah i
00:39:26.328 -->
00:39:29.828think it's uh i think you're a spot on um having
00:39:29.828 -->
00:39:33.468an internal focus first it goes back to it sort of about before that
00:39:33.468 -->
00:39:36.988modular approach cutting it into pieces little business
00:39:36.988 -->
00:39:40.308case little use cases that we can trust and get internal
00:39:40.308 -->
00:39:43.128buy-in senior buying colleagues buying people using it
00:39:43.128 -->
00:39:45.908people trusting it and get momentum and then
00:39:45.908 -->
00:39:48.588you start to look at okay how do we
00:39:48.588 -->
00:39:52.288start to deploy it in more customer facing places
00:39:52.288 -->
00:39:55.508where it's not replacing humans it's empowering humans
00:39:55.508 -->
00:39:59.928for want of a better word because banking you
00:39:59.928 -->
00:40:02.968know over generations it's always a relationship
00:40:02.968 -->
00:40:05.988between customer and bank
00:40:05.988 -->
00:40:09.408you know mine goes back you know as i said like nearly 65 years
00:40:09.408 -->
00:40:12.708in my family so it's still quite personal um
00:40:12.708 -->
00:40:15.648and the trust is the key and the trust is the key word so
00:40:15.648 -->
00:40:20.068it's it's the marriage it's the balance between ai
00:40:20.068 -->
00:40:22.988and human making sure that the ai does maybe
00:40:22.988 -->
00:40:26.008the mundane the repetitive as you say that the kind
00:40:26.008 -->
00:40:28.988of robotic piece but then frees up.
00:40:28.988 -->
00:40:32.588The banker the bank to show
00:40:32.588 -->
00:40:35.508that empathetic the relationship the personal
00:40:35.508 -->
00:40:38.148touch human touch side of things and i think if you get that
00:40:38.148 -->
00:40:40.968balance right that marriage right that's where you're
00:40:40.968 -->
00:40:45.628going to create usps and succeed in in the market yeah i agree completely this
00:40:45.628 -->
00:40:51.068is why we are on the path as we are right having still human touch wherever
00:40:51.068 -->
00:40:57.268we are in which whatever process we are discussing um building this trust because
00:40:57.268 -->
00:41:00.268i think the trust as i mentioned now uh
00:41:00.637 -->
00:41:03.497the most important thing between the client
00:41:03.497 -->
00:41:06.417and the bank i mean once you don't trust your
00:41:06.417 -->
00:41:09.517bank it's game over right absolutely yeah so
00:41:09.517 -->
00:41:12.437this is something that we need to keep in
00:41:12.437 -->
00:41:15.957mind all of us working banking industry and from
00:41:15.957 -->
00:41:18.757another side we are all customers also right
00:41:18.757 -->
00:41:21.557so um that this is something
00:41:21.557 -->
00:41:24.537that we need to be careful about and always of
00:41:24.537 -->
00:41:27.317course be compliant make the as much
00:41:27.317 -->
00:41:30.017as possible on the security this is why we
00:41:30.017 -->
00:41:33.477have these solutions in the closed environments so
00:41:33.477 -->
00:41:36.597no external no connection
00:41:36.597 -->
00:41:41.237to internet nothing it's it's totally isolated from
00:41:41.237 -->
00:41:47.437other things because we are at the beginning right we are using it but controlled
00:41:47.437 -->
00:41:54.837and still really careful and And I've just been in Frankfurt last week on the
00:41:54.837 -->
00:41:58.197conference on banking and usage of AI.
00:41:58.697 -->
00:42:05.837And I can say that we all agreed that, yeah, let's have AI. Let's take it into our processes.
00:42:06.817 -->
00:42:09.617But carefully and with the human in the loop.
00:42:09.757 -->
00:42:13.297That was the conclusion. I agree. I agree. And I guess we're coming to kind
00:42:13.297 -->
00:42:14.937of the close of the podcast.
00:42:15.157 -->
00:42:18.637So I always like to kind of put a future lens on it.
00:42:19.317 -->
00:42:24.197And I guess, for the Serbian market in particular, what do you think is going
00:42:24.197 -->
00:42:25.597to be more important in the next two or three years?
00:42:25.737 -->
00:42:32.117Is it going to be adoption of AI or is it going to be modernization or just
00:42:32.117 -->
00:42:35.857transformation of the core element of the bank?
00:42:36.377 -->
00:42:38.837Which one would you say is probably more important or is it a blend?
00:42:40.057 -->
00:42:44.217Absolutely a blend. I wouldn't say that one is more important than the other.
00:42:44.217 -->
00:42:50.997We, in the times that we're living, we have to do all at the same time.
00:42:51.717 -->
00:42:55.697Yeah. So transform, digitalize, modernize.
00:42:56.370 -->
00:43:03.990And meaning technology and the culture in the bank of the employees and in parallel
00:43:03.990 -->
00:43:08.290work on the education of our customers.
00:43:08.570 -->
00:43:12.630Because also the market, such as it is, you've noticed, right,
00:43:12.710 -->
00:43:15.590that there is still cash. It's not totally digital.
00:43:16.030 -->
00:43:22.490Absolutely, yeah. Yeah. So also, I think one of the key things that the banks
00:43:22.490 -->
00:43:28.410also have to work on strongly is to give the customers the opportunity to learn
00:43:28.410 -->
00:43:30.090and to trust the digital world.
00:43:30.270 -->
00:43:34.370The youngers don't have an issue, right? They are there. They are aware.
00:43:34.710 -->
00:43:38.430Mostly they are aware of all the dangers. But the generations,
00:43:38.870 -->
00:43:46.110I don't know, above 50, maybe 60, they need to learn that and they need to see
00:43:46.110 -->
00:43:51.650that the cash is not the only way to go, that you can trust the card, you can trust the phone.
00:43:52.530 -->
00:43:57.710So that requires the culture, the cultural change, the mindsets change,
00:43:57.870 -->
00:44:01.830the technological change, the business model of the banks, actually.
00:44:01.830 -->
00:44:05.170So i would say work on every
00:44:05.170 -->
00:44:08.570possible aspect you can yeah and be careful
00:44:08.570 -->
00:44:11.510safe fast and everything that comes with
00:44:11.510 -->
00:44:14.590it what's your one piece of as we
00:44:14.590 -->
00:44:18.250end the podcast what's your one piece of advice for your
00:44:18.250 -->
00:44:21.870peers and colleagues in in here in serbia that
00:44:21.870 -->
00:44:27.250they could take away from what you've done in terms of a successful digital
00:44:27.250 -->
00:44:31.610transformation on ai delivery what's the what's the one nugget you say you know
00:44:31.610 -->
00:44:35.090what i wish and wish somebody told me that before that's something i've learned
00:44:35.090 -->
00:44:38.910and pass that on to to your colleagues so they can have the success you've had,
00:44:39.930 -->
00:44:45.550i think it's a no-brainer i've said it before right always give a chance to
00:44:45.550 -->
00:44:52.030the quietest person in the room always um hear them out think about it,
00:44:52.995 -->
00:44:58.195And see where this can take you in the future. Maybe resolve the issues before they occur.
00:44:59.975 -->
00:45:03.995Have all the stakeholders together. Yeah, have all the stakeholders together.
00:45:04.315 -->
00:45:08.275Have the tech team, have the business team at the same table,
00:45:08.275 -->
00:45:11.175in the same room, as much as possible.
00:45:11.495 -->
00:45:15.275In these days, we are, of course, a lot working from home.
00:45:15.575 -->
00:45:20.255But people do want to come to office, to be honest. They do want to see their
00:45:20.255 -->
00:45:22.315colleagues. They do want to have that coffee.
00:45:23.015 -->
00:45:26.135Collaboration and collaboration so use
00:45:26.135 -->
00:45:29.535that moments to give them into the it either
00:45:29.535 -->
00:45:32.415for a task either for a project it doesn't matter
00:45:32.415 -->
00:45:35.955um have them in one room so that
00:45:35.955 -->
00:45:39.655they all get to hear the same information that
00:45:39.655 -->
00:45:42.675they all understand that they are a part of the same
00:45:42.675 -->
00:45:45.735team yeah uh it's not them it's
00:45:45.735 -->
00:45:49.095not us but we are all us yeah um
00:45:49.095 -->
00:45:52.175and if that means include external partners
00:45:52.175 -->
00:45:54.995also they are a part of our team if
00:45:54.995 -->
00:45:58.335we are working with external partners we need to behave
00:45:58.335 -->
00:46:01.395like we are all in one team absolutely so two take
00:46:01.395 -->
00:46:05.155two takes from this i would say always hear
00:46:05.155 -->
00:46:07.955the quietest person and always make sure
00:46:07.955 -->
00:46:10.635people are together as one team yeah i
00:46:10.635 -->
00:46:13.555love that co-creation collaboration sense of
00:46:13.555 -->
00:46:16.555ownership across all the stakeholders in the bank and
00:46:16.555 -->
00:46:22.815external vendors every the kind of we are the us yeah i love that um well look
00:46:22.815 -->
00:46:27.755this is your first ever appearance on the podcast first ever wow you've done
00:46:27.755 -->
00:46:33.195fantastic it was very easy mark thank you you you did a great job well i'm now
00:46:33.195 -->
00:46:36.435expecting to uh for you to host your own one.
00:46:37.355 -->
00:46:41.435And invite you and i'll come on as a be your first guest but i think you'll
00:46:41.435 -->
00:46:46.895make a a fantastic host but all joining aside really do appreciate your work
00:46:46.895 -->
00:46:48.075this morning on the panels.
00:46:49.035 -->
00:46:53.635Agreeing to be as I said my next victim on the podcast yeah you did a fantastic
00:46:53.635 -->
00:46:57.075job wish you all the success you,
00:46:57.532 -->
00:47:01.632um in your in your next deliveries i'm sure they'll they'll do really well and
00:47:01.632 -->
00:47:07.492i'll be keeping a real kind kind ear and eye on what uh what the future brings
00:47:07.492 -->
00:47:10.892for for you and your bank so thank you very much thank you mark.