RCS - Avtar Sehmbi - The Digital Banker

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RNS Number : 5384R  Avtar Sehmbi  17 July 2025

The Digital Banker

In this July 2025 article for the Fast Company Executive Board, Avtar Sehmbi
of the Forbes Technology Council explains why Chief Technology Officers (CTOs)
are increasingly positioned to lead the future of banking.

LONDON, GB / ACCESS Newswire (https://www.accessnewswire.com/)  / July 17,
2025 / Artificial intelligence (AI
(https://stats.nwe.io/x/html?final=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFzdGNvbXBhbnkuY29tL3NlY3Rpb24vYXJ0aWZpY2lhbC1pbnRlbGxpZ2VuY2U&sig=tM9JTmF4I0AuslJT85mu4WGIAzEAV55IQaUhRgHDyZHXEGJ_24HbC2huSdflA4HSjCsVTpVpfZuqPRIhxCfYCg&hit%2Csum=WyI0emJubjQiLCI0emJubjUiLCI0emJubjYiXQ)
) and other emerging technologies are reshaping banking by automating tasks,
enhancing data analysis, and enabling personalized services. These tools
improve risk management, streamline operations, and boost profitability.
Institutions like JPMorgan Chase
(https://stats.nwe.io/x/html?final=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucmV1dGVycy5jb20vYnVzaW5lc3MvZmluYW5jZS9qcG1vcmdhbi1zYXlzLWFpLWhlbHBlZC1ib29zdC1zYWxlcy1hZGQtY2xpZW50cy1tYXJrZXQtdHVybW9pbC0yMDI1LTA1LTA1Lw&sig=66iFT9YqcO05hSjDItGyNqlGsKoIEsZ_fRqCTBMt5aZOSwSs6JBXH5SwZd1p3XEWLEJYhczSoKzDFAoZQcbdNg&hit%2Csum=WyI0emJubjciLCI0emJubjgiLCI0emJubjYiXQ)
 and Bank of America
(https://stats.nwe.io/x/html?final=aHR0cHM6Ly9idXNpbmVzcy5ib2ZhLmNvbS9lbi11cy9jb250ZW50L21hY2hpbmUtbGVhcm5pbmctYW5kLWN5YmVyLXNlY3VyaXR5Lmh0bWw&sig=f0LH018Bjqi3-VC8kWgrW2vWf67MUixDPQZUepOzMXxUT0Gfb-MDLe3TMZBXYdm9zRlIfWWcfT8_EVrG7dCyNA&hit%2Csum=WyI0emJubjkiLCI0emJubmEiLCI0emJubjYiXQ)
 are already leveraging AI for fraud detection, customer service, and
advanced analytics. Meanwhile, AI-powered hedge funds and neobanks use
technology to deliver tailored experiences and outperform their peers.

Related Image
(https://cdn.nwe.io/files/x/f5/df/bdeb1cbb57cb1a3490340acf93e2.png)

This shift isn't theoretical; it's already well underway. Digital systems are
fully embedded into the everyday operations of financial institutions, and
technical fluency has become a defining leadership trait. Familiarity with
these technologies is no longer optional. Executives who lack hands-on insight
into digital transformation risk falling behind in an increasingly tech-driven
industry.

WHY THE CTO IS THE MOST PREPARED TO LEAD BANKING TRANSFORMATION

One of the greatest barriers to innovation in banking is the workforce's
limited exposure to new technologies. Many professionals still lack formal
training in AI, blockchain, and analytics, making it difficult to adopt
disruptive digital tools and fully leverage fintech innovations. As a result,
institutions often fail to realize the full return on their technology
investments or fall behind the marketplace.

This gap highlights why the CTO is increasingly central to leadership in
modern banking. Unlike many senior executives who focus solely on strategy,
CTOs bring unmatched technical depth, architectural expertise, and operational
command. They don't just imagine the future of banking. They build it.

From core infrastructure to compliance frameworks, every major digital
component of the modern bank is influenced by the CTO. They design and
implement the systems that underpin fraud detection, data pipelines,
onboarding flows, and customer engagement channels. This work also ensures
that regulations are embedded directly into software, cybersecurity is tightly
woven into business processes, and platforms deliver secure, scalable
services.

Because they oversee these systems from end to end, CTOs have a comprehensive
understanding of how the bank truly operates. Their ability to integrate,
optimize, and future-proof these systems gives them a uniquely qualified
perspective. They are not just prepared to lead technology. They are prepared
to lead the enterprise.

EDUCATION IS CATCHING UP TO WHAT THE CTO ALREADY KNOWS

Top academic institutions such as Oxford
(https://stats.nwe.io/x/html?final=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2JzLm94LmFjLnVrL3Byb2dyYW1tZXMvZXhlY3V0aXZlLWVkdWNhdGlvbi9vbmxpbmUtcHJvZ3JhbW1lcy9veGZvcmQtZmludGVjaC1wcm9ncmFtbWU&sig=sHqt1QZSe3GnCem2H6-onymQcFnzMnPXlGxv63XtmWKU694a_Q2xv-cHmGaL44gYSaVoauSbRtKh1XKkjLlRMg&hit%2Csum=WyI0emJubmIiLCI0emJubmMiLCI0emJubjYiXQ)
, MIT Sloan
(https://stats.nwe.io/x/html?final=aHR0cHM6Ly9taXRzbG9hbi5taXQuZWR1L2lkZWFzLW1hZGUtdG8tbWF0dGVyL2ZpbnRlY2gtZXhwbGFpbmVk&sig=oxMEumOMxVWBVAdc6VF9K6KQrXUa_GE4-8O4QyEsyFEkdH7cBo0byYyxoDGgU3pPfJpkTKl6c4rPjkaELTkSRQ&hit%2Csum=WyI0emJubmQiLCI0emJubmUiLCI0emJubjYiXQ)
, the National University of Singapore
(https://stats.nwe.io/x/html?final=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYWlkZi5udXMuZWR1LnNnL2ZpbnRlY2gtdHJhaW5pbmctcHJvZ3JhbW1lcy9jeWJlcnNlY3VyaXR5LWZvci1maW5hbmNlLw&sig=n0Aibxy3xpL60TZoVhzzxoHDHP7FyT08n3iA4ywADpUIFh4lAHwZgISS231YkNEfxRDGcek2DvklQ281q-GeBA&hit%2Csum=WyI0emJubmYiLCI0emJubmciLCI0emJubjYiXQ)
, Frankfurt School
(https://stats.nwe.io/x/html?final=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZnJhbmtmdXJ0LXNjaG9vbC5kZS9lbi9ob21lL3Byb2dyYW1tZXMvbWFzdGVyL2ZpbnRlY2g&sig=n4DIVX-4q9hv9f2QvkRF71Rso19DmsKxcxZrt4icyFWEijqLaQBvWobbwkI3egbj4fW_ayiGbzkHaguwYfQa0Q&hit%2Csum=WyI0emJubmgiLCI0emJubmkiLCI0emJubjYiXQ)
, and INSEAD
(https://stats.nwe.io/x/html?final=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zZWFkLmVkdS9tYXN0ZXItcHJvZ3JhbW1lcw&sig=De0SlrhlR9WOa0s1tHcno9wcvfv3UTdaI5YBBOcEgh0n6xKZGk-KRrLFd9YN3QspPv_EMV_NUYn9nKivJqIhGw&hit%2Csum=WyI0emJubmoiLCI0emJubmsiLCI0emJubjYiXQ)
 are responding to the sector's transformation. Their new programs blend
finance, analytics, cybersecurity, and regulatory technology, reflecting a
growing recognition that tomorrow's financial leaders will need the
interdisciplinary expertise that CTOs bring to the table.

To meet the evolving demands of the industry, business schools like those
mentioned above now offer integrated degrees that combine finance with
computer science, data analytics, and RegTech. Financial institutions can
support this effort by co-developing certification programs and practical
training focused on digital risk and fintech operations, fields where CTOs
already excel.

Modernizing the education pipeline will help develop future leaders with the
fluency and systems thinking already demonstrated by today's top CTOs. As the
industry continues to transform, these qualities will become essential.

THE CTO'S EDGE IN LEADING THE DIGITALLY DEFINED BANK

Technologies like AI, blockchain, and decentralized finance (DeFi) are now
integral to banking. However, without effective leadership, many institutions
fail to maximize their technology investments. Research shows that poor AI
adoption alone can reduce returns by 30% to 50%
(https://stats.nwe.io/x/html?final=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubWNraW5zZXkuY29tL2NhcGFiaWxpdGllcy9tY2tpbnNleS1kaWdpdGFsL291ci1pbnNpZ2h0cy90aGUtbmV3LWVjb25vbWljcy1vZi1lbnRlcnByaXNlLXRlY2hub2xvZ3ktaW4tYW4tYWktd29ybGQ&sig=VEXWgD8ubJoiCI-kWagA6bLkOfay-IOwFK3pkRTDae8C68nDgscBgPfMjQrV5S88q6RKE2Lr35HvdgIFxyNXYA&hit%2Csum=WyI0emJubmwiLCI0emJubm0iLCI0emJubjYiXQ)
 due to misalignment between tools, talent, and strategy.

CTOs offer a systems-level perspective that few other executives can match.
They understand how platforms, protocols, and processes intersect across
functions. They embed compliance into code, build end-to-end workflows, and
break down silos to accelerate innovation. This ability to execute across
departments gives them a decisive advantage in leading the digitally defined
bank.

Their fluency in technology, operations, finance, and regulation allows them
to lead transformation at scale. Unlike other executives who may delegate
technology, the CTO is hands-on and directly involved in aligning systems with
business goals.

As digital infrastructure begins to shape everything from customer onboarding
to lending models, the next generation of banking leaders must be equally
fluent in financial operations and technology platforms. The CTO already
embodies this hybrid leadership profile.

CONCLUSION: FROM BUILDER TO CEO

In tomorrow's boardroom, the CTO will not just support the CEO; they may be
the most qualified to become the CEO. As banks become fully digital, CTOs
hold a unique advantage. They not only see what's coming next but also have
the detailed operational knowledge to build and launch it first. Their
experience architecting the core infrastructure of modern banking, embedding
compliance into code, and managing transformation from the ground up gives
them unmatched strategic and executional range.

The future banker must understand not only markets and products but also the
platforms, systems, and security protocols that power financial services. CTOs
already work at this intersection. Their hands-on command of technology,
coupled with insight into risk and regulatory demands, positions them to lead
banks into a smarter, faster, and more secure financial future.

Contact Information

Avtar Sehmbi

Global CTO | COO | Forbes Technology Council | Fast Company Executive Board
Member

avtarsehmbi@outlook.com

+447481825362

SOURCE: Avtar Sehmbi

 

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