Özge Tekalp
Locksmith Software Technologies
Chief Customer and Project Officer
The global banking sector enters 2026 operating under conditions characterized by three defining forces:
1) Divergent monetary policy creating distinct regional profitability challenges;
2) The confluence of regulatory mandates compelling simultaneous execution of Basel III/IV capital finalization and mandatory climate risk integration; and
3) The imperative of AI industrialization requiring foundational data infrastructure transformation.
These forces intersect with mobile-first disruption, evolving branch economics, cultural transformation needs, and intensifying fintech competition.
Global growth is projected at 3.1%, yet regional financial conditions are decoupling dramatically.
This divergence demands that CFOs and CSOs urgently pivot strategies toward robust non-interest income streams, especially in jurisdictions facing margin compression.
The strategic mandate is clear: Capital must be efficiently deployed to[L1] [ÖT2]
• modernize core data infrastructure
• comply with converging regulations
• scale AI from pilots to enterprise-wide drivers
• optimize branch networks
• transform organizational culture
• compete and cooperate effectively with fintechs while maintaining profitability.
