SME Banker of the Year 2025 nominee: Janusz Mieloszyk
We are introducing the nominees for the SME Banker of the Year 2025 Award – dynamic and inventive leaders who have dedicated themselves to serving SMEs. Their unwavering commitment to the SME sector has left a considerable impact on this crucial segment of the economy, positioning them as outstanding leaders in the realm of SME banking. Take the opportunity to learn more about these exceptional nominees and be inspired by their steadfast dedication to serving SMEs!
A passionate advocate of new technologies and innovation in the financial sector, with over 20 years of experience in banking and consulting, both in Poland and internationally.
At Nest Bank, he focuses on implementing cutting-edge solutions for customers, including embedded finance and artificial intelligence in business processes to enhance operational efficiency. He says, “Equipping customers with AI tools improves their banking experience, democratizes access to modern technology, and helps them better understand their finances.”
This vision led to N!Assitant, Poland’s first AI-powered banking assistant based on GPT-4, fully integrated into the bank’s mobile app.
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In the course of your career, what have you seen change in terms of demands/needs of SME clients? And what role should a bank play in meeting these demands?
Over the last years, SME clients have moved beyond expecting only financial products to seeking business advice and superb digital experience. That is why we have built a team of expert Relationship Managers who are close to clients—not just as service providers but as trusted business partners. Also through AI tools such as N!Assistant, we can offer our customers personalized, real-time support and simplify the business banking experience.
N!Assistanis an artificial intelligence-powered virtual customer agent in the Nest Bank mobile app. It runs on the GPT-4o model within Microsoft Azure OpenAI and uses the bank’s regulations, price lists, and product information. It seamlessly integrates generative AI, real-time transaction execution, and personalized financial insights. Unlike traditional chatbots, N!Asystent goes beyond basic customer inquiries, allowing users to execute transactions, analyze their financial habits, and manage banking operations through natural conversation. This marks a new era of conversational banking in Poland, redefining the way customers interact with their bank by providing a fully functional AI agent that operates 24/7, ensuring efficiency, accessibility, and a superior digital experience.
This is how we address the evolving needs of modern SMEs – with innovation, empathy, and smart, proactive solutions.
In addition, in response to the growing demand for long-term financial support, we are also in the final stages of launching investment loans. Entrepreneurs today seek funding not only for ongoing operations but also to fuel strategic development and innovation. With this solution, Nest Bank will empower Polish SMEs to grow sustainably, providing accessible and flexible financing tailored to their needs.
What have you found to be effective in leading your SME banking team/in your leadership position?
Leading an SME banking team requires a blend of innovation, adaptability, and client-centric thinking. At Nest Bank, we encourage a strong culture of collaboration between product, technology, and front-line teams – ensuring speed, relevance, and continuous improvement. I’ve found that empowering teams to experiment, leverage emerging technologies, and listen closely to clients' real needs is the key to delivering impactful solutions. Our success lies in staying close to entrepreneurs, speaking their language, and treating each business as unique.
Briefly describe, what would be your top 3 achievements/ projects delivered by your bank for SME customers?
- N!Assistant – the first fully conversational AI banking assistant in Poland, helping SMEs manage their finances through natural, 24/7 dialogue. It has been acknowledged internationally in New York (winning Best of Show on Finovate Fall) and in London (Banking Tech Award).
- Business products for SMEs and Nest Lease – Nest Bank has been consistently building a comprehensive financial offering for micro-enterprises. For years, it has provided business loans and accounts, standing out with a transparent pricing policy – combining high-quality services with affordable pricing. In 2024, the bank launched its own leasing company – Nest Lease – in a record time of just seven months. The new company is growing rapidly, with 13 branches already operating across Poland. Nest Lease offers a wide range of leasing products, from passenger and commercial vehicles to construction machinery, medical equipment, agricultural tools, and many other solutions supporting the daily operations of businesses.
- Simplified onboarding and redesigned mobile banking – allowing entrepreneurs to open accounts and access products quickly and efficiently.
What would be the most significant business case that you've applied and learned the most out of it? Both positively or negatively?
The development of N!Assitant has been our most transformative business case. On the positive side, it proved that AI-driven tools can drastically improve SME experience, offering smarter, faster, and more accessible support. We also learned how important it is to combine innovation with responsibility – building ethical safeguards, maintaining regulatory compliance, and securing data are essential in AI implementation. Balancing customer delight with trust and safety was a critical takeaway from this project – and one that now shapes our entire approach to digital innovation.
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