SET Training - Banking and Fintech

By Stanley Epstein -  Introduction Conflict is no longer something happening “somewhere else". It has become a constant feature of today’s global environment. Recent tensions involving Iran are a good example of how quickly things can change. A region that felt stable a few months ago can suddenly become a source of global concern. The data backs this assertion up. There are multiple active conflicts and even more areas of rising tension around the world. Many of them are getting worse, not better. The takeaway is simple: geopolitical disruption is not occasional anymore. It is part of the system organisations operate in. The Ripple Effects Go Everywhere Conflicts don’t stay contained within borders. Their effects spread quickly. Even organisations with no direct presence in a conflict zone can feel the impact. Energy prices can spike. Supply chains can break. Sanctions can disrupt payments. Cyber threats can increase. This happens because everything is connected. Global supply c...

By Stanley Epstein -  The emerging operational, financial, and governance risks of autonomous AI agents in modern banking systems Introduction Artificial intelligence has long been part of banking operations. Fraud detection, credit scoring, and anti-money laundering systems have relied on machine learning models for years. But a new phase is emerging. Banks are beginning to deploy AI agents —autonomous or semi-autonomous systems capable of planning tasks, executing transactions, interacting with external tools, and making operational decisions with limited human oversight. This shift from passive analytics to agentic AI introduces profound efficiency gains. At the same time, it expands the risk landscape in ways that traditional governance frameworks were never designed to handle. Regulators and central banks are increasingly paying attention. The transformation is not simply technological. It raises questions about liability, systemic stability, operational resilience, and trus...

By Stanley Epstein – For years, the promise of stablecoins was straightforward: the digital equivalent of a bank deposit that moves at the speed of the internet. They were marketed as the frictionless future of payments—faster, cheaper, and always on. To the retail user, they appear to be a more efficient way to hold and move value. But beneath the surface of these "digital dollars" lies a profound shift in the hidden plumbing of the global financial system. What happens to a modern economy when money starts migrating from traditional bank accounts to the blockchain? For a long time, central banks viewed these assets as niche "crypto-toys," confined to the speculative fringes. However, a recent working paper from the European Central Bank (ECB) signals a definitive awakening. Stablecoins are no longer mere experiments; they are "money-like instruments" that have begun to disrupt the traditional banking transmission belt. As adoption scales, we are moving...

By Stanley Epstein – Beyond the Disaster Recovery Bunker For years, the resilience function was relegated to the "break-glass-in-case-of-emergency" basement—a defensive measure activated only when smoke cleared. That era is dead. The "turbulence" characterizing our modern operating environment—marked by relentless geopolitical friction and climate volatility—has transformed resilience from a niche safeguard into an indispensable strategic mandate. The 2025 Resilience Report reveals an industry at a defining crossroads. As we transition from simple business continuity to a model of proactive adaptability and foresight, the data illuminates where leadership is finally moving the needle and where dangerous, systemic gaps persist. This briefing unpacks the five most impactful shifts redefining organizational survival in an increasingly unpredictable world. The Integration Paradox: Why Silos Persist in a Connected World We are witnessing a significant movement to harmon...