Reflections from Sibos 2025: The Next Frontier of Global Finance

After another whirlwind week at Sibos, I’ve had some time to reflect on what was, without a doubt, the biggest and most thought-provoking conference yet. With over 12,000 attendees, 2,300 companies, 500 speakers, and more than 250 sessions, this year’s Sibos truly lived up to its reputation as the meeting place for the global financial industry.

Even by Sibos standards, this year felt bigger. The energy never dipped. On Thursday, the final day, the halls were still full of activity and ideas. That should tell you everything you need to know about the level of engagement and curiosity that defines our industry right now.

This year’s theme, ‘The Next Frontier of Global Finance’, captured the mood fittingly. Change is happening across the industry, not just in fast-moving fintechs but within the world’s largest banks. The conversations stretched multiple topics, from the evolution of payment methods and flows, to regulatory shifts, to the transformative impact of technology.

The underlying message was clear: whether you’re SWIFT, a global bank, or a technology partner, we all have a role in the next frontier of global finance.

AI, Automation and the New Reality

If there was one dominant theme running through every session, booth, and corridor conversation, it would be AI and automation. From fighting fraud to enhancing customer experience, AI has become the most talked about topic at Sibos.

What struck me the most was how the conversation had matured since the previous year I attended the event. It had shifted from an emphasis on the theoretical to more about the practical application of AI and automation over the next 12 months. 

Questions that stood out were those about how AI can tangibly improve service levels and legacy systems, as well as how automation can help us deliver faster, safer, more transparent payment experiences. These are the questions that will drive further development in our financial services. 

Progress in Cross Border Payment Optimisation

Another obvious topic that ran rife through the conference was the linkage of payments. That is, connecting cross-border flows to unlock new transaction banking opportunities beyond traditional investigations.

SWIFT shared impressive progress, with 80% of payments now reaching their destination within 10 minutes. Although, as they admitted, there’s a 20% space for optimisation. 

Similarly, JPMorgan revealed that the company achieved six trillion dollars in daily payment flows across all payment types, with a 99.3% straight-through processing rate. These numbers underscore how far the industry has come and offer opportunities for growth moving forward.

Klopp Hit the Net on Leadership As Key for Success

One of the more unexpected highlights was Jürgen Klopp’s session on leadership. The German football executive and former manager/player emphasised a leader’s responsibility in protecting and developing their team. He showed us that public criticism has no place in effective leadership; instead, it’s about private coaching, playing to strengths, and getting to know people as individuals, not just employees.

It was a timely reminder that even at the most data-driven of conferences, leadership remains a priceless competitive strength. 

Conversations Beyond the Conference Floor

As always, some of the best insights came after hours. At the hotel bar, I found myself in fascinating discussions comparing past Sibos venues like Beijing with Frankfurt. The consensus reached was that although the discussions in both countries were inspiring, the beer in Frankfurt was much better. 

I was excited by the ongoing openness of conversation and shared sense of purpose, especially around collaboration on fraud and financial crime. It’s in these informal exchanges that you get a real sense of where our industry is heading.

A Few Practical Reflections

For anyone attending Sibos in the future, my advice would be to take time to explore both bank and fintech booths to get a real feel for what’s happening and what’s coming next. And perhaps most importantly, pack comfortable shoes. Between the long walks to the food court and multiple floors, your step count will be through the roof.

Is Sibos Still Relevant?

I’ve heard this question asked more than once. My answer is simple: absolutely. 

Sibos remains the meeting ground for our industry’s ideas, partnerships, and collective progress. The format may evolve, the topics may shift, but the spirit of connection and collaboration endures. This is what makes Sibos indispensable.

Ultimately, Sibos 2025 reinforced that the frontier of global finance isn’t defined by size or geography but by our shared commitment to evolve, collaborate, and lead responsibly going forward.