The global banking industry in the past year has operated within an environment of significant complexity. Economic headwinds, high interest rates, persistent inflation, and geopolitical tensions have all shaped banking strategies worldwide. According to Deloitte’s 2024 outlook, financial institutions contended with diverging regional economic growth – sluggish expansion in developed markets contrasted with robust growth in parts of Asia and Latin America.
Meanwhile, banking leaders increasingly recognised the need to adapt legacy operating models to remain competitive and relevant.
At the same time, digital transformation continued to accelerate. Artificial intelligence and automation have shifted from being differentiators to essentials. Banks are investing heavily in cloud-native systems and real-time data capabilities to meet evolving customer expectations. Yet with these digital advances come rising concerns around cybersecurity, data governance, and regulatory compliance – challenges that demand agile, cross-functional leadership.
Talent gaps have become another pressing issue, particularly as banks compete with tech firms for professionals skilled in areas like data science and cybersecurity. Institutions that succeed are those taking proactive steps to upskill internal talent and embed innovation into their culture.
World Finance Banking Awards 2025
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Brazil Itau Unibanco
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Georgia TBC Bank
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Brazil BTG Pactual
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Germany GLS Bank
Macau BOC Macau (Cash Management Services)
Malaysia Maybank
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Macau BOC Macau
