Banking's new horizons: Intelligent, inclusive, interconnected

Banks that move thoughtfully to harness this potential will lead the way; those that hesitate risk being left behind. By Lee Zhu Kuang

- Lee Zhu Kuang

Though SMEs contribute about 45 per cent of Asean's GDP, many are underserved by traditional financial models. PHOTO: PIXABAY

(PHOTO: PIXABAY)

The future of banking in Asean will not be defined by owning every customer touchpoint, but by orchestrating trusted networks that embed intelligence and enable seamless connectivity. As technology accelerates and demographics shift, banking must evolve beyond transactions to deliver relevance, responsiveness and real value.

This future will be shaped by three imperatives: intelligence, inclusiveness and interconnectedness. It is not a disruption, but an opportunity to reimagine financial services.

These principles guide how we innovate — be it through artificial intelligence (AI), data or blockchain - to create systems that serve consumers and businesses better. Banks that move thoughtfully to harness this potential will lead the way; those that hesitate risk being left behind.

Smarter banking starts with rethinking how technology serves people; it is not just how advanced technology is. Innovation must deliver trust, relevance and impact. While AI is a powerful enabler, its value depends on responsible deployment, measurable outcomes and a focus on customer impact.

Across the region, Al is being applied to enhance advisory services, automate customer support and improve risk modelling. But the real value lies in how these technologies integrate into a broader network, with customers at the heart of it.

This network approach allows banks to move beyond siloed systems. When data flows securely, seamlessly and meaningfully across platforms, it enables smarter decisions, faster services and more personalised experiences. It is about building infrastructure that supports real-time relevance, and not just about reactive transactions.