Digital Game Changers

Digital Game Changers

by Tagit
Technology
Season 4
🚀 Episode 25: In Conversation with Ramon Abasolo on Digital Banking & IT Transformation
Join us as we explore digital banking transformation in the Philippines with one of the country's most accomplished technology leaders. Discover how strategic IT leadership, innovative product development, and next-generation technologies are reshaping the Philippine banking landscape. ________________________________________ Meet Our Guest: Ramon Abasolo, Digital Banking & IT Transformation Leader Ramon is a seasoned digital banking and IT transformation leader with over 25 years of experience across the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia. He has served in senior IT leadership roles at Citi and major Philippine financial institutions, leading large-scale tech overhauls and digital innovations. Most notably, he transformed Robinsons Bank into a fully digital bank, from modernizing its cloud infrastructure and launching award-winning mobile platforms, to pioneering agency banking, innovative loan products, and gamified savings products. More recently, he was a key leader in the post-merger integration of Robinsons Bank into BPI, and was part of the payments team that focused on cross-border remittance innovation. Beyond executive roles, Ramon serves as a strategic advisor to fintechs and technology solution providers, and is an active voice in AI governance, payments strategy, and platform innovation. When he's not architecting the future of digital banking, you might find him running marathons or capturing street photography. ________________________________________ Key Discussion Topics: - The Evolution of Digital Banking in the Philippines How banks' approach to digital solutions has shifted over the past 25 years, and the most significant transformation moments that have shaped the industry. - Understanding Philippine Banking Customers The features and attributes that Filipino banking customers value most in their digital interactions, and what drives successful user experiences in the local market. - Provincial Banks Rising to Digital Challenges How smaller, regional banks are overcoming resource constraints to meet the expectations of tech-savvy customers, even in rural areas with high digital adoption. - AI and GenAI in Banking The key areas banks should focus on when considering GenAI adoption, from use case identification to governance frameworks for responsible implementation. - Future Technology Challenges The biggest technology-related challenges Philippine banks will face in the coming years, from regulatory evolution to competitive pressures and customer expectations. - Build vs. Buy Strategic Decisions How IT leaders approach the critical decision between building custom solutions versus purchasing off-the-shelf technology, and the factors that influence this strategy. Tune in to hear some great insights! To be a part of our series or know more about us write to us at info@tagitmobile.com
S4 · E25
Dec 4, 2025
18:35
🚀 Episode 24: Redefining User Experience in Banking | Marichelle Almario (PBCOM) I Digital Game Changers
Join us for Episode 24 as we sit down with Marichelle Almario, Head of Customer Protection and Experience Management & Data Protection Officer at the Philippine Bank of Communications (PBCOM). With over 30 years of leadership experience across telecom, hospitality, and banking, Marichelle has driven transformative initiatives that elevated customer satisfaction and engagement. As PBCOM’s Vice Representative for the banking sector on customer and data protection, she continues to shape the future of customer experience in the Philippines. In this episode, we explore how strategic UX design, customer feedback, and innovative thinking are transforming digital banking experiences. 💡 Key Discussion Points 🔹 Defining User Experience: Cutting through buzzwords to understand what truly matters in today’s digital landscape. Evaluating Digital Excellence: How to assess whether a website or mobile app delivers outstanding UX. 🔹 Motivating UX Innovation: Where great designers find inspiration and how they drive innovation. 🔹 Customer Feedback Strategies: Effective methods for gathering and leveraging feedback on digital channels. 🔹 UX Refresh Timing: How often banks should refresh their digital user experience and why. 🎧 Whether you’re a banking professional, digital transformation leader, or CX enthusiast, this conversation offers actionable insights and real-world lessons for achieving digital excellence in financial services. 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert conversations on digital banking innovation! #UserExperience #DigitalBanking #CustomerExperience #UXDesign #Philippines #Banking #CustomerProtection #DigitalTransformation #UXPodcast
S4 · E24
Sep 17, 2025
18:35
Ep 23: Cybersecurity Leadership in Africa Banking I Digital Game Changers
The future of cybersecurity in African financial services is being shaped by pioneering leaders who understand that protection and innovation must work hand in hand. In our latest episode, we explore the groundbreaking journey of cybersecurity excellence across East and Southern Africa. 🎙 Meet Our Guest: Matambila Karima-Chuunga - Regional Chief Information Security Officer, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Matambila oversees cybersecurity strategy across East and Southern Africa. As the first Zambian and first female to hold this role, she has led key initiatives, including PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SWIFT CSP, and Data Protection Compliance, strengthening organizational resilience. A dedicated advocate for cybersecurity awareness and diversity in tech, she co-hosts HoneyPot Chats and co-founded Women in Technology Network Zambia (WiTN), whose mentorship program won the Best Tech Initiative for Women at the 2023 Techtrends Awards. Recognized as a FinTech leader in SADC (2022) and profiled by MIT Horizon, she is also a two-time 2024 ICTAZ Award winner, receiving the Cyber Security Excellence Individual Award and Outstanding Female ICT Professional of the Year Award. 💡 What We Explored: 🔹Digital Banking Trends - Key developments shaping the African banking sector and their security implications 🔹Cyber Threat Landscape - Why banks remain prime targets and the evolving tactics of cybercriminals 🔹Innovation & Security Balance - Managing cyber risks without stifling digital transformation initiatives 🔹Customer Protection Strategy - Comprehensive approaches to protecting customers from sophisticated scams and fraud 🔹Future-Ready Security - The evolution of cybersecurity in financial services and emerging defense mechanisms 🔹AI Governance Framework - Responsible AI implementation and governance structures in banking operations 🎯 Key Takeaways: ✅ Why diverse leadership strengthens cybersecurity frameworks and threat identification ✅ How to implement international security standards across diverse African regulatory environments ✅ The critical balance between technology solutions (60%) and human factors (40%) in cybersecurity ✅ Strategies for building customer awareness and education programs that prevent fraud ✅ Essential components of AI governance for responsible technology deployment in banking To be a part of our podcast series, write to us at: info@tagitmobile.com #DigitalGameChangers #Cybersecurity #AfricanBanking #WomenInTech #FinTech #BankingSecurity #DigitalTransformation #Leadership #Zambia #UBA #Tagit #Podcast #FinancialServices #DataProtection #RiskManagement #TechLeadership #Innovation #Africa
S4 · E23
Aug 18, 2025
24:16
Ep 22: Building South Africa's Next Digital Bank I Digital Game Changers
"Building a Digital-First Bank: Inside OM Bank’s Technology Transformation" In this special episode of Digital Game Changers, we’re joined by Ray Deftereos, Chief Information Officer, and Suvania Moodliar, Chief Technology and Data Officer at OM Bank, the newly launched digital bank by Old Mutual in South Africa. Together, they take us behind the scenes of building a bank from the ground up — one designed from day one to be digital-first, data-driven, and deeply customer-centric. With South Africa’s banking landscape becoming increasingly competitive, Ray and Suvania share how OM Bank is setting itself apart — through its modern architecture, integration with Old Mutual’s existing ecosystem, and a sharp focus on personalization powered by data. 🔍 In this episode, we cover: The multi-year journey of developing OM Bank’s digital infrastructure Lessons from global digital bank launches Integrating banking with insurance and investment services for a unified customer experience How data is used to personalize financial products without compromising on privacy The role of emerging tech like AI and open banking in OM Bank’s roadmap Building trust and accessibility in a market with diverse digital literacy Ray brings his diverse background in finance, operations, and cloud-native deployments, while Suvania offers deep expertise in data science, architecture, and leading digital strategy across telecom and banking. Together, they reveal how OM Bank is rewriting the rules for what a financial institution can be — and why technology is at the heart of that transformation. 🎧 Listen now for real-world insights from the leaders who are shaping one of South Africa’s most ambitious banking ventures. #DigitalGameChangers #Tagit #OMBank #SouthAfricaBanking #DigitalBanking #BankingTechnology #BankingInnovation #FintechAfrica #DataDrivenBanking #DigitalTransformation
S4 · E22
Jul 21, 2025
42:42
Season 3
Ep 21: Interview with Bill Kyeremeh, GM-Technology Delivery & Innovations at Consolidated Bank Ghana
In Season 3 Episode 21, of Digital Game Changers podcast/webcast series by Tagit, we are joined by Bill Yeboah Kyeremeh, GM-Technology Delivery & Innovations at Consolidated Bank Ghana. Bill is the General Manager of Technology Delivery & Innovations at Consolidated Bank Ghana Limited. With over 20 years of experience in the technology sector, he has gained expertise across diverse industries, including education, telecommunications, oil and gas, banking, finance, and consulting. He is a highly skilled project management professional, a digital transformation strategist, and a certified payments expert. His previous roles include working with Citi Bank (Singapore), eProcess International S.A. (part of the Ecobank Group), and Fidelity Bank Ghana Ltd. Key topics discussed include: 1. How can banks ensure their digital transformation strategies align with regulatory frameworks? 2. What role does data privacy play in shaping customer trust in digital banking? 3. What emerging technologies should banks prioritize to stay competitive in the digital landscape? 4. What are the main hurdles banks face when scaling digital innovations? 5. What are some of the key technology trends in digital banking that you believe will emerge in the next five years? To be a part of our series or know more about us write to us at info@tagitmobile.com #digitalgamechangers #tagit #digitalbanking #digitaltransformation #bankingtechnology #bankingsoftware #digitalplatform #africa #ghana #bankinginnovation
S3 · E21
Jul 23, 2025
6:09
Ep 20: Interview with Jeremy Bryson, Principal at Vitruvius Business Partners
In Season 3 Episode 20, of Digital Game Changers podcast/webcast series by Tagit, we are joined by Jeremy Bryson, author of 'Designing the Digital Bank of the Future' book. His most recent role was as Head of Business Design at Lloyds Bank where he led the organization’s Business Design Guild. Jeremy Bryson has had a career in banking (Standard Chartered and Lloyds Banking Group) and in management consultancy (KPMG Consulting and Ernst & Young). He has worked with more than 50 organizations around the world, applying business design and enterprise architecture thinking to solve complex problems and add value to those organizations. Jeremy now runs his own advisory business supporting clients in their exploitation of business and service design methods to address difficult problems. Key topics discussed include: 1. What inspired you to write your book, and what do you hope readers will gain from it? 2. How do you perceive the digital landscape in the UK, and how do you view the global digital landscape? 3. The UK was an early advocate for Open Banking API standards. How has the implementation progressed across banking apps in the UK? 4. There is significant hype around AI/ML and Generative AI in banking. What are your thoughts on the adoption of these technologies and their impact on consumer banking services? 5. What key advice would you give to CIOs/CDOs for expanding their digital offerings in the coming years? To be a part of our series or know more about us write to us at info@tagitmobile.com #digitalgamechangers #tagit #digitalbanking #digitaltransformation #bankingtechnology #bankingsoftware #digitalplatform #london #bankinginnovation
S3 · E20
Jul 24, 2025
7:56
Ep 19: Interview with Nelson Wootton, Co-founder and CEO of SaaScada
In Season 3 Episode 19 of Digital Game Changers by Tagit, we speak with Nelson Wootton, co-founder and CEO of SaaScada — a UK-based cloud-native core banking platform. A cloud evangelist since 2006, Nelson brings 20+ years of leadership in tech, including CTO/CIO roles and successful tech exits. His passion for cloud and innovation has driven transformation across multiple businesses. Let me know if you'd like an even shorter version for LinkedIn or promo tiles. Key topics discussed include: Q1. As cloud technologies are becoming more mainstream, there have been multiple new modern core banking systems that have come to market. SaaScada’s solution is architected a bit differently than many of these modern core systems. What make SaaScada’s approach to core banking different? Q2. Digital adoption is forcing banks to look at their back-office systems to better support straight-through-processing of many traditional features needed by customers that historically have required some type of back-office intervention. How does SaaScada’s solution better enable capabilities of the digital channels and enhance the customer experience? Q3. If a bank could start over with the IT systems, what would you recommend to a bank about how to best approach using modern technologies for not only client facing apps but back office? Since it’s not practical to start over, how are you working with banks to move away from much of their legacy systems? Q4. How can core banking systems such as yours help differentiate a bank in the market? Q5. What should we be looking out for relative to technology innovations that will impact digital experiences over the next 18-24 months? Tune in to hear some great insights! To be a part of our series or know more about us write to us at info@tagitmobile.com #digitalgamechangers #saascada #tagit #digitalbanking #digitaltransformation #bankingtechnology #bankingsoftware #digitalplatform #london # uk
S3 · E19
Jul 24, 2025
24:36
Ep 18: Interview with Mr. V. Vaidyanathan, CIO at Unity Small Finance Bank, India
In Season 3 Episode 18, of Digital Game Changers podcast/webcast series by Tagit, we are joined by Mr. V. Vaidyanathan, CIO at Unity Small Finance Bank. Mr. V Vaidyanathan is an experienced, dynamic & seasoned professional with over 20 years of rich and diverse cross industry experience in executive leadership roles in leading multinational IT Companies, Banks, Consulting Firms and in-depth knowledge & understanding of the global banking & finance industry. He is a trusted advisor, strategic thinker, and well networked professional in BFSI across India, Southeast Asia, and APAC, with a penchant for taking-up new challenges and passionate about new ideas, innovations, and commitment to excellence. Key topics discussed include: Q1. With the current volatile economic climate and uncertainty, how are banks preparing for it? Q2. What are some of the challenges the banks face today relative to regulatory compliance and cybersecurity? Q3. Will Generative AI change the way the banks service their customers? Q4. What are some of the new digital initiatives thar the bank is planning to undertake in 2024? Tune in to hear some great insights! To be a part of our series or know more about us write to us at info@tagitmobile.com #digitalgamechangers #unitysmallfinancebank #tagit #digitalbanking #digitaltransformation #bankingtechnology #bankingsoftware #digitalplatform #india #smallfinancebanks
S3 · E18
Jul 24, 2025
26:21
Season 2
Ep 17: Interview with Mr. Mukesh Pilania, EVP and Head of Digital Banking at Techcombank, Vietnam
In Season 2 Episode 17, of Digital Game Changers podcast/webcast series by Tagit, we are joined by Mr. Mukesh Pilania, EVP and Head of Digital Banking at Techcombank, Vietnam. Mr. Pilania has over two decades of leadership experience in banking and insurance business across Asian markets. Beginning in sales, he has navigated strategic roles spanning from distribution to digital transformation and mergers. A true entrepreneur, he has co-founded insurtech and fintech startups, while also catalyzing AXA's insurance division. He has extensive in managing large scale projects & initiatives spread across geographies with multi- cultural teams. Key topics discussed include: 1.Tell us something about your digital initiatives at Techombank 2. Vietnam has made significant strides in adopting digital channels and embracing digital transformation. How do you stand-out in a mature market where consumers are accustomed to the convenience of a plethora of super apps in the market today offered by banks and payment companies? 3. How do you measure customer satisfaction or investments in innovation? 4. How has the Bank leveraged data, AI to enhance customer experience? What have been the challenges? 5. Key technology and digital trends over the 12 months in Vietnam 6. Your views on application of big data and generative AI in banks? How do you see its application and impact in banks? Tune in to hear some great insights! #digitalgamechangers #techombank #tagit #digitalbanking #digitaltransformation #bankingtechnology #bankingsoftware #digitalplatform #vietnam If you'd like to be a part of our series, write to us at marketing@tagitmobile.com
S2 · E17
Jul 30, 2025
26:29
Ep 16: Interview with Mr. Khalid Al-Hoqani, Head of IT at Alizz Islamic Bank, Oman
In Season 2 Episode 16 of Digital Game Changers podcast/webcast series by Tagit, we are joined by Mr. Khalid Al-Hoqani, Head of IT at Alizz Islamic Bank, Oman. Mr. Hoqani is an IT professional with over 20 years of extensive experience in both Islamic and conventional banking. He joined Alizz Islamic Bank in April 2013 and was part of the core founding team of the Bank. At Alizz Islamic Bank, his accomplishments include leading the team that was responsible for setting up of the Bank in a record time of 5 months. He also led the technical team which was responsible for the successful merger of Al Yusr Islamic window into the Bank in a record time of 2.5 months. Prior to joining Alizz Islamic Bank he was the Assistant Head of Application Management at Bank Muscat and was responsible for some major projects such as Consumer Banking centralization which successfully contributed to streamlining branch operations and enhancing the customer experience. Mr. Al-Hoqani started his career as a system analyst and developer at the Central Bank of Oman where he worked with a team of developers to develop some in-house applications, some of which are still being used by the Central Bank of Oman. Key topics discussed include: 1. Tell us about some of the digital transformation initiatives at the bank 2. The growth in demand for Islamic banking and how is the bank gearing to serve that segment of customers 3. Industry landscape today and what the future holds 4. How is digital banking enabling the bank to stay competitive? 5. Key technology trends for 2023 and beyond Tune in to hear some great insights! To be a part of our series or know more about us write to us at info@tagitmobile.com #digitalgamechangers #alizzislamicbank #tagit #digitalbanking #digitaltransformation #bankingtechnology #bankingsoftware #digitalplatform #oman
S2 · E16
Jul 30, 2025
38:55
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