The Banking 4.0 Summer School focuses on four core themes: Monetization, Efficiency, Modeling, and Optimization (MEMO), each deeply integrated with artificial intelligence.
✅ Interactive workshops & case studies
✅ Insights from top banking & fintech experts
✅ Structured networking opportunities
✅ Practical solutions for real-world challenges
Who is this for?
✅ Banking, fintech, consulting, and regulatory professionals
✅ Managers in strategy, digital banking, risk, and compliance
✅ IT, cybersecurity, and operations specialists
✅ Fintech founders & teams
✅ Advanced students in fintech & digital banking
What will you learn?
✅ Banking innovation & process optimization
✅ AI, open banking & embedded finance integration
✅ Risk management & regulatory compliance
✅ Personalized digital products & customer experience
✅ Collaboration with fintechs & modern payments
What this is NOT?
❌ Not just theory – focus on real case studies & simulations
❌ More than digitalization – includes processes & regulations
❌ Not just networking – hands-on learning is the priority
Banking 4.0 Summer School Success Metrics
Recognizing the need for continuous professional development, we expanded our mission to create a high-level summer school designed specifically for board-level and middle management professionals with extensive experience in banking, fintech, insurance, and telecommunications.
Learn From The Best Lecturers
Over the past decade, the Banking 4.0 Conferences have cemented their reputation as the premier event for exploring the intersection of emerging technologies and banking.
10
Years of Banking 4.0 Conferences
35
Participant countries
80
Partners
1000
Industry experts engaged
Join expert-led discussions on AI, digital banking, and fintech innovation.
Connect with industry leaders and expand your knowledge.
What they say about us
From decades of transformative conferences to pioneering new frontiers in banking education, Banking 4.0 has become a hub for the brightest minds in South-Eastern Europe. With the launch of our high-level summer school, the Banking 4.0 – Summer School we continue this tradition by bringing together seasoned professionals to explore, innovate, and shape the future of banking.
Behind the Summer School: The Origins and Evolution of Our Initiative
For almost a decade, every November, we have organized Banking 4.0, the premier international conference in South-Eastern Europe dedicated to the impact of emerging technologies on banking.
Over the years, we have provided the financial-banking community with a platform to engage with hundreds of international experts, including senior bankers, top consultants, central regulators, world-class futurologists, and successful entrepreneurs. Our participants have not only benefited from high-quality networking but have also generated business leads and secured partnerships.
Beyond networking, continuous professional development has become essential for industry leaders to keep pace with the rapid technological advancements reshaping business models and presenting new challenges.
To address this need, we are launching the Banking 4.0 – Summer School, a high-level summer school designed for Board-2 middle management professionals with at least 10 years of experience in banking, fintech, insurance, or telecommunications.
Lecturers
Eliad Saporta
Eliad has been working in the payment industry since 2011 as COO of several Payment Service Providers and Fintech startups in Europe, US and South Africa. In 2016 Eliad founded Coriunder, a Backend-As-A-Service Orchestration, helping PSPs globally …
Niek ten Hove
Niek helps executives and organizations unlock sustainable business value through Data & AI. He supports leaders in driving complex transformations—where digital capabilities are not just tools for efficiency, but catalysts for long-term, strategic impact. Strategic management professional with 14+ years …
Andres Lehtmets
The architect of the EU Supervisory Digital Finance Academy, a training program that has equipped over 1,500 financial supervisors across the EU to manage the risks and opportunities presented by advanced technologies in the financial sector …
Meital Raviv
Meital Raviv is a fintech and innovation leader with over 23 years of experience in financial services, digital transformation, AI adoption, and strategic growth. As the Founder & CEO of MERA, she advises banks, fintechs, and corporates on AI-driven business models …
Madalina Manoiu
Madalina Manoiu is a visiting professor in AI and Machine Learning at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Switzerland. With 17+ years of corporate experience across four continents – including the past decade dedicated to …
Florian Teleaba
Florian Teleaba is a Principal/Director in Kearney’s European Financial Services practice, and in Kearney’s European Strategy Growth & Organizational Transformation practice. He has been started his consulting journey in 2008 with Kearney …
Daniel Popescu
Daniel Popescu brings over two decades of experience leading major technology and cybersecurity transformations across some of Romania’s largest banks. Throughout his career, he has built cloud-native digital banks from scratch, led complex M&A integrations …
Toma Pinchis
Canadian Romanian economist with over 25 years’ experience in risk management in various global banks and FinTechs. Toma has been responsible for the risk management of large consumer banking portfolios in Canada, the US, and Romania. He implemented new core …
Brandusa Fecioru
Brandusa Fecioru is a seasoned business executive with extensive experience in human resources and organizational strategy at board level, currently acting as President of the University of Bucharest Foundation. With a strong track record in the private sector in companies …
Adrian Ifrim
More than seventeen years of experience in the cyber security field working for
institutions in Financial and Telecommunication sectors across Europe. Risk management experience in diverse cross-functional security and risk governance teams …
institutions in Financial and Telecommunication sectors across Europe. Risk management experience in diverse cross-functional security and risk governance teams …
Ioana Serban
Ioana has 15 years of experience in B2B international marketing and business development for tech companies, mostly SMEs and startups. Passionate about pragmatic marketing. Always exploring how tech SMEs can achieve more with limited marketing budgets …
Ioana Tinca
With a career of over 25 years in commercial leadership, operations, and strategy in top companies such as Vodafone, Bancpost, and NN, Ioana brings to the participants a rare and valuable perspective: the combination of executive rigor and personal development clarity …
Mirela Păunescu
Mirela holds an extensive portfolio of both national and international professional qualifications in the field of financial reporting, including ACCA, CIA, CAFR, CCF, and CECCAR. Her credentials are further complemented by a strong academic background, comprising a PhD in Accounting from ASE Bucharest ….
Andrei Burz-Pinzaru
Andrei Burz Pinzaru is partner in Reff & Associates – Deloitte Legal Romania, with over 25 years experience in Banking, Capital Markets, M&A, Corporate Governance and legal risks management. Recommended by IFLR1000 as a Leading Lawyer in Romania ….
Enrico Bagli
Bringing a decade of experience in data-driven innovation, Enrico specializes in steering projects at the crossroads of data science and finance. His commitment is to amplify the impact of digital transformation while exploring cutting-edge technologies. “My primary objective is to assist …
Dănuț Arion
Dănuț Arion is a Senior Associate at Reff & Asociații | Deloitte Legal Romania, with over 7 years of experience in banking and financial law, focused, among others, on regulations applicable to the payments sector. Throughout his career, he has assisted clients in complex …
Curicullum
Currently, there is a critical shortage of specialized courses in digital assets, blockchain, artificial intelligence, open banking, cloud computing, and cybersecurity in Romania. To bridge this gap, we are collaborating with the Romanian Fintech Association, The Luxembourg House of Financial Technology (LHoFT), and renowned business schools to deliver an expert-level program built on real-world case studies.
Following discussions with specialists across different industries, we have identified six core areas for the curriculum:
1. Digital Product Development & Innovation
2. Sales & Business Growth Strategies
3. Operational Efficiency & Process Automation
4. Legal, Regulatory & Compliance Frameworks
5. IT, Cybersecurity & Risk Management
6. HR: Talent Acquisition & Leadership Development
Andres Lehtmets – Key Elements of FIDA
✔️ Introduction to open finance and open insurance
✔️ FIDA background, objectives, and significance for the financial sector and InsurTech/FinTech start-ups.
✔️ Scope of Data: What types of data are covered?
✔️ Entities in Scope: Which firms are subject to FIDA?
✔️ Consumer Protection: Key rights and obligations.
✔️ Data and API Standardization & Governance: How data-sharing will work.
✔️ Licensing & Supervision: Regulatory requirements for operating under FIDA.
Potential Business Models Unlocked by FIDA:
✔️ Existing open finance/insurance business models in the EU.
✔️ Hypothetical examples of business models that FIDA could unlock.
FIDA Business Models and Potential Risks and Benefits for Financial Institutions – Practical Exercise(s):
✔️ Participants will work on case studies. This may include prepared case studies on business models, where participants highlight potential risks (e.g., compliance, operational resilience, data protection, consumer protection, ICT, etc.) and present them to the group.
✔️ In addition/alternatively, participants can work in groups to develop their own FIDA business models based on the theoretical part of the session.
✔️ Participants will work on case studies. This may include prepared case studies on business models, where participants highlight potential risks (e.g., compliance, operational resilience, data protection, consumer protection, ICT, etc.) and present them to the group.
✔️ In addition/alternatively, participants can work in groups to develop their own FIDA business models based on the theoretical part of the session.
Florian Teleaba – Growth strategy module.
We will cover together the ‘how’ (methodology) and examples (sanitized case study, based on Kearney project), in which we will discuss:
✔️ how to define a growth strategy from different perspectives, balancing growth potential with competitive position, ability and cost
✔️ how to pressure-test it with Wargaming exercise (specific methodology to anticipate competitive moves in which players take different roles and simulate actual strategic actions and reactions)
✔️ how to cascade strategy into actions and metrics that matter (specific strategy cascading methodology to align all parts of the organization on what to do)
✔️ how to ‘move it’ through the corporate/organization (and resistance to change)
Bring your own views and past examples (opportunities or challenges) on the above. And questions!
Eliad Saporta – How to launch/embed a payment product in the current ecosystem.
✔️ The course will guide the participants on how to incorporate and monetize payment into their projects, from navigating the regulatory landscape and choosing the right payment providers for each territory.
✔️ The “area of seamless payments” is a key requirement for end users that are used to experiences like Uber and other ordering and payment related apps.
✔️ Building a banking / wallet product, how to connect with the relevant providers and what licenses are required to launch a successful “Banking” app and where does crypto fits into all of it.
Toma Pinchis – Risk management module
What do you expect to learn?
✔️ How to review all risk families across financial organizations. We will focus on risks based on participant feedback.
✔️ How to start a financial fintech or a new nimble bank subsidiary from scratch and how to identify pitfalls?
✔️ How to transform a traditional risk management organization (using technology and shaping new regs).
✔️ A supervised case study.
Meital Raviv – Next-Gen Banking Module
1. Banking 2030 – Strategic Outlook & Future-Ready Models
✔️ Key industry trends shaping the decade ahead: regulation, decentralization, AI, and customer evolution
✔️ Digital banking: the dream vs. operational reality — what works, what doesn’t: the Pepper Case Study: deep dive into one of the most ambitious digital banking projects – design choices, outcomes, lessons learned
2. Open Banking & Embedded Finance – From Compliance to Strategy
✔️ Open banking evolution in Europe: where the real business value lies beyond PSD2
✔️ Embedded finance opportunities: unlocking new distribution, partnerships, and monetization models
✔️ Strategic positioning: orchestrator vs. enabler vs. platform player
3. AI & GenAI in Banking – Unlocking Efficiency and Insight
✔️ Practical GenAI applications in financial services: customer support, compliance, internal ops, and product personalization
✔️ Risk factors, governance, and regulatory readiness (incl. EU AI Act)
Adrian Ifrim & Daniel Popescu – cyber security module
Leadership decision-making under cyber conditions that may challenge and disrupt your business, running projects, and daily activities.
The session focuses on:
✔️ Business and Regulatory Context: Understanding the environment, stakeholder expectations, and exposure points.
✔️ Simulated Cyber Events: Teams will navigate unexpected real-life challenges
✔️ Executive Decision-Making: Choices and communication strategy addressing key stakeholders
✔️ Learning Outcomes: Strengthen cross-functional crisis readiness, improve risk-based thinking, and align technical realities with business impact.
Exercise a leadership drill to sharpen your ability to manage uncertainty, protect brand trust, and ensure resilient delivery of critical digital initiatives.
Brandusa Fecioru & Ioana Tinca – Leadership and Talent Module
If Not Now, When – Leadership and Talent for the Future That Already Started
From urgency to responsibility: building influence, culture, and capability before it’s too late.
Key Topics – Brandusa Fecioru
✔️ Global Trends in Talent Management
✔️ AI & Automation in workforce planning and recruitment
✔️ Skills-Based Hiring
✔️ Hybrid Work & Flexibility
✔️ Employee Well-being and retention strategies
✔️ Digitalization of Talent Acquisition (AI-powered matching, virtual interviews, analytics)
✔️ Employer Branding and Leadership Reputation
✔️ Aligning Leadership and Culture for psychological safety
✔️ Employee Experience & Engagement drivers
Key Topics – Ioana Tinca
✔️ Shaping organizational culture through strategic leadership and influence
✔️ Leadership 360° – building trust, values and alignment across all levels
✔️ Succession Planning as a strategic process for continuity and leadership renewal
Andrei Burz-Pinzaru & Danut Arion – Innovations in payments services, e-Money and stablecoins
✔️ Digital Payments: The concept of ‘e-money’ and its integration into contemporary financial systems
✔️ E-money Tokens (Stablecoins) as a bridge between the centralized (web2) and decentralized (web3) financial system
✔️ Differentiation between e-money, stablecoins, and other digital payment solutions: comparing the characteristics and uses of different payment solutions; the advantages and disadvantages of each solution in a global and local context.
✔️ The EU’s position on the impact of new technologies on payment operations and the entire banking financial sector: EU directives and regulations regarding technological developments and their impact on payment operations; the transition to an economy that optimally uses technology and data to improve financial services.
✔️ Case Study: benefits for financial service providers and their clients
Enrico Bagli – GenAI in banking module
✔️ GenAI: an introduction: history; how LLMs work and their classification; the actual limits
✔️ (Gen)AI in banking: challenge or opportunity? The AI Act
✔️ GenAI in banking (and not) – real cases
– GenAI Tools for personal productivity
– AI Research Assistant For Consultants
– Augmented Employee Support with HR Chatbot
– AI-Assisted Tender Evaluation & Routing
– Natural Language Search For Business Information
– Document Value Chain
– Augmented Second-Level Controls
– Augmented Financial analysis drafting
– AI Research Assistant For Consultants
– Augmented Employee Support with HR Chatbot
– AI-Assisted Tender Evaluation & Routing
– Natural Language Search For Business Information
– Document Value Chain
– Augmented Second-Level Controls
– Augmented Financial analysis drafting
✔️ GenAI business game – Innovation Challenge: Pitch to the Board
Ioana Serban – Rethinking Financial Services Marketing: Adapting for an AI-First Future
✔️ Rethinking Financial Services Marketing: Adapting for an AI-First Future
Duration: 2-3 hours
✔️ Goals:
- Demystify marketing for financial services in 2025+
- Show real-world examples of success and challenges
- Facilitate practical exercises for immediate application
✔️Sections:
Welcome & Introduction
- Why marketing matters more than ever
- B2B vs B2C differences in banking
- AI and the future of marketing
Future Outlook & Challenges
- Key trends: data, personalization, trust, regulation
- Current and emerging challenges
Success Stories
- Mini case studies: digital-first and traditional banks
- Key lessons: product-centric to customer-centric; compliance to innovation
Interactive Exercises
- Practical activities for immediate application
Future-Ready Marketing Strategies
- Actionable steps for banks
Mirela Paunescu – Finance for Non-Finance: Core Concepts
✔️ Understanding financial reports: purpose and practical applications
✔️ Key financial concepts: assets, revenues, expenses, liabilities, and equity
✔️ Exploring the difference between profit and cash flow
✔️ Fundamentals of cost analysis and decision-making
✔️ Introduction to accounting for crypto assets
AGENDA - BANKING 4.0 SUMMER SCHOOL
10 IUNIE
10.25 - 10.30 — Welcome speech - Nic Balaceanu, Program Director
10.30 - 13.00 — Eliad Saporta - How to launch/embed a payment product
13.00 - 14.00 — LUNCH
14.00 - 15.30 — Mirela Paunescu - Basic finance for non-finance staff
15.30 - 17.30 — Andres Lehtmets - FIDA, open finance & insurance
11 IUNIE
08.30 - 11.00 — Enrico Bagli - GenAI in banking
11.00 - 11.15 — Coffee break
11.15 - 13.45 — Ioana Serban - Winning clients in finance
13.45 - 15.00 — LUNCH
15.00 - 17.30 — Meital Raviv - Next Gen banking
17.30 - 18.30 — Toma Pinchis - Risk Management
12 IUNIE
08.30 - 11.00 — Florian Teleaba - Growth strategy
11.00 - 11.15 — Coffee break
11.15 - 13.45 — Andrei Burz-Pinzaru & Danut Arion - Future of finance, stablecoins
13.45 - 15.00 — LUNCH
15.00 - 17.30 — Daniel Popescu & Adrian Ifrim - Cybersecurity leadership
13 IUNIE
08.30 - 11.00 — Madalina Manoiu & Niek ten Hove - AI, case studies & presentations
11.00 - 11.15 — Coffee break
11.15 - 13.45 — Brandusa Fecioru & Ioana Tinca - Leadership and talent module
13.45 - 15.00 — LUNCH
Diploma award ceremony
Closing speech - Nic Balaceanu
Mai multe detalii despre tematica pe care o abordează fiecare lector în parte găsiți aici:
banking40.ro/academy/#curicullum
Experiences
Beyond the classroom, the Banking 4.0 Summer School offers a unique opportunity to explore the picturesque town of Sinaia. Nestled in the Carpathian Mountains, Sinaia is renowned for its stunning landscapes, historic landmarks, and vibrant cultural scene.
Participants can unwind and recharge amidst nature’s beauty, enjoying activities such as hiking, skiing, and visiting the iconic Peleș Castle. Join us at Banking 4.0 Summer School for an enriching experience that transcends traditional learning.
Elevate your career, expand your network, and embrace the future of banking in an inspiring and dynamic setting. Together, we will shape the next generation of financial leaders.
Voices of Support and Appreciation
The conference was fabulous!
"Thank you for your impeccable hospitality, I myself am a conference organizer also and all I can say is - thank you for your hard work!"
The experience was terrific.
"Getting to Sinaia and back, and the different tours were also great. Looking forward to next year!"
Thank you
"Thank you for your excellent logistics and warm hospitality."
A great pleasure to participate
"Thanks again for all your efforts, it was a great pleasure to participate in Banking 4.0."
Everything went very well
We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the conference and in Sinaia. Many thanks to you for organising and making this run so smoothly!
Thanks again for a wonderful Banking4.0 event
I was impressed with the topic, the community you have built and of course the location and the castles we visited. It has been a superb experience.
A big thank you to the organizers
For putting together such a well-structured and insightful event. It was also a pleasure to connect with so many amazing professionals."
A fantastic experience
Thanks a lot for having us and for the great organization! It was a fantastic experience.
International, vibrant and insightful
BANKING 4.0 is probably the top digital banking and fintech conference in Eastern Europe. Big congratulations to organizers for growing BANKING 4.0 into an international, vibrant and insightful event!
Venue – Hotel Palace Sinaia
Built in 1911 in just eight months, according to the plans of the renowned architect Petre Antonescu, the Palace Hotel is a symbol of refinement and elegance at the beginning of the twentieth century. Located in the city’s garden, right in the Dimitrie Ghica Park, the hotel benefits from a privileged position, being close to the Sinaia Casino, the Sinaia Monastery and the commercial center of the city.
Recently renovated, the Palace Hotel reopens its doors with an image that reflects its glory days, offering a perfect combination of historical charm and modern comfort. Every detail of the architecture and interior design emphasizes the quality and attention to guests, turning every stay into a royal experience. The Palace Hotel is not just a place to stay, but a destination in itself, an invitation to relaxation, discovery and perfect elegance.
Contact
Send us a message
Send us a message
We’d love to connect with you! Whether you have questions about our Banking 4.0 conference or wish to learn more about the newly launched Banking 4.0 – Summer School, our team is here to help. Reach out to explore how we can support your professional journey or enhance your organization’s expertise.
Connect with us
Stay ahead of industry innovations and join South-Eastern Europe’s premier financial-banking community. Let’s shape the future of banking together!