Sibos 2024: In conversation with Mark Brant

In 2024, Sibos is opening its doors in Beijing, marking the first time that China’s capital is hosting the event. Taking place 21-24 October, the event will bring together thousands of senior leaders from across the global banking industry to debate this year’s theme “connecting the future of finance”.

It also marks the first year that NatWest and Icon will attend the event post the investment by the bank in Icon. In March this year, NatWest announced the strategic investment to further strengthen the Icon Payments Framework (IPF) which is helping to accelerate the bank’s payments modernisation.

I caught up with Mark Brant, Chief Payments Officer at NatWest, to discuss the significance of the event this year and what we're most looking forward to about Sibos.

Darren: I’m pleased we get to attend the event together this year. We’re hearing that Sibos will be a little different – what would you say you’re most looking forward to?

Mark: Likewise, our relationship plays a major role in driving forward our approach to payments innovation. In terms of what else I’m personally looking forward to? I would have to say the technology – a lot of payments innovation is happening in China.

Darren: I would agree. Exploring the art of the possible is extremely important for Icon as it allows us to serve our customers in the best way possible. We should be looking at other geographies to see what is working there and how that could be applied to our markets.

Mark: It’s important we understand what is happening in other parts of the world. Events like Sibos help to remind us that payments are a global network business. There’s a big opportunity to embrace new technologies that can be used to enhance or create new products, but it doesn’t mean doing everything yourself.

Darren: From our perspective, we’re seeing that the payments industry has reached a level of ubiquity that means there is a lot more room for experimentation. The cost of change is getting cheaper.

Mark: Being able to develop new services that meet the different needs of customers faster, and with lower costs, is really important. Our partnership with fintechs like Icon is fundamental in this respect. It means we can bring new payment propositions to our customers quickly and safely.

Darren: The notion of collaboration seems to be a central topic for the event. How does this theme resonate for you when thinking about the wider payments industry and working with partners like Icon?

Mark: Payments is a very broad church and that means you can’t play in it on your own. There’s a lot of activity happening right now, for example, in the case of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC), artificial intelligence (AI) and identity. Embedded finance is another key topic that is on the conference agenda. For me, Sibos is all about bringing those different ecosystem players together and connecting the dots between new technologies, the needs of your business and customers, and the right partner.

Darren: OK so finally Mark, where can people meet NatWest at the event? Do you have a booth again this year?

Mark: We do. Sibos remains an extremely important event in our annual calendar. This year we have a booth on the show floor (J11) as well as three rooms where we can host meetings with anyone that would like to speak with us.

Darren: Icon will go as delegates this year. In addition to me my colleague Liam Jeffs is also going. Here’s to an insightful Sibos 2024 for both of us and our organisations. Let’s compare notes on the event when we’re back here in London.