Banking Uncovered Podcast

As digital adoption accelerates across commercial and business banking, the role of the relationship manager is not diminishing - it is becoming more critical.  In this episode of Banking Uncovered, Jon Ruston speaks with Claire May, Head of Commercial Clients at Santander UK, to explore how banks are redefining relationship management in a digital-first world. The discussion follows Santander’s r...

Singapore is a regional hub for banking and wealth, and one of Asia’s most developed and dynamic markets. Its affluent segment is highly attractive and increasingly complex. Affluent customers typically maintain relationships with multiple providers, creating a fragmented landscape where competition for share of wallet is increasingly intense. While domestic leaders like DBS, UOB and OCBC dominate...

High-Net-Worth (HNW) households account for one in 10 US households, yet they control a disproportionate share of the nation’s wealth. According to RFI Global’s  MacroMonitor, the largest ongoing study of US household financial behaviour , HNW households hold 69% of all financial assets and 74% of investable assets, amounting to $50.2 trillion.  So how can financial institutions capture this oppor...

In this episode of Banking Uncovered, host Charles Green sits down with Brett King, world-renowned futurist, bestselling author, and fintech founder, to unpack the data behind the global decline of bank branches and what the AI-driven, digital-first future means for traditional banks and neobanks.   Drawing on data from Brett’s new book Branch Tomorrow and RFI Global’s research, the conversation e...

In this episode of Banking Uncovered, host Charles Green speaks to Natalia Goh, CEO of MariBank and member of Singapore’s Government Technology and Innovation Committee, to explore how the next wave of digital banking is taking shape in one of the world’s most advanced financial ecosystems.  Despite Singapore’s digital maturity, traditional banks still leave gaps around transparency, fees and cust...

2025 marks a pivotal shift in consumer behaviour in financial services -the year mobile banking overtook online banking as the primary way customers interact with their finances. For many, the app is the bank. As customer expectations rise, financial institutions are competing to deliver seamless, secure and personalised digital experiences that both satisfy customers and drive return on investmen...

In this episode of Banking Uncovered, host Charles Green speaks to Hubert Petka, Group Director at RFI Global, about the growth and maturity of fintechs worldwide, and what’s next as the sector shifts from disruption to consolidation.  Once viewed as niche players offering sleek digital payment solutions, fintechs and neobanks are now an established part of the financial services ecosystem. Their...

In this episode of Banking Uncovered, Charles Green speaks to Gourab Kundu, Citi Wealth’s head of digital growth for Asia South, based in Singapore, about the latest trends and innovations in digital wealth management and how Citi is leading the charge. They explore how Citi is leveraging technology to deliver a seamless, secure and highly personalised experience for its wealth clients. From the m...

Wealth is rising rapidly across Asia, in both the number of affluent consumers and the value they hold. In this episode of Banking Uncovered, Charles Green speaks to Stefano Colombu, Managing Director of Asia at RFI Global, about the surge in mass affluent consumers across APAC, what drives their financial decisions, and how their money moves across borders.  From the booming China–Hong Kong corri...

In this episode of Banking Uncovered, host Charles Green is joined by Rishi Lalwani, currently Global Head of Lending for SME Banking at Standard Chartered, to explore the evolving landscape of SME banking across Asia and the Middle East. With over 17 years of experience in business banking and a focus on digital transformation, Rishi discusses his views on why now is a pivotal moment for SME bank...

In this episode of Banking Uncovered, we explore how Square is transforming the payments landscape for merchants and small businesses and redefining the future of banking. As digital transactions become increasingly prevalent, what implications does this have for traditional banking models and financial accessibility?  Banking Uncovered host Chloe James speaks to Jess Aloi, Australian Go-to-Market...

The US financial landscape is evolving fast. While fintech adoption lagged behind other markets, a rapid shift is underway—31% of US households now hold accounts with a digital-only bank. What does this mean for traditional banks, mobile banking, and the future of financial services? In this data-packed episode of Banking Uncovered, host Charles Green sits down with Jim Langston, Commercial VP, an...

In this episode of Banking Uncovered, we take a deep dive into the evolving financial landscape, exploring the complex relationship between cash, fintech innovation and regulatory frameworks worldwide. As digital banking and fintechs continue to reshape financial services, what does the future hold for traditional banking models, cash usage and financial accessibility?  Host Charles Green speaks t...

Westpac’s digital banking strategy has significantly enhanced customer experience, with its mobile app achieving an NPS of 21.7 - one of its best scores to date. With over 5 million customers banking online every month, the app is central to the bank’s vision of offering a seamless, full-service digital experience for customers who choose it. Recent innovations, including enhanced fraud detection,...

The property market is experiencing a wave of change, from the recovery of UK lending and the US market emerging from a ‘hibernation period’, to falling housing values in Australia and New Zealand. The dynamics worldwide are shifting.   RFI research and insights shows UK confidence rising, and over a quarter of homeowners in Australia expected to make additional mortgage repayments within the next...

For most Americans, their financial institution is the last thing on their minds - they’re too busy navigating pay cheque-to-pay cheque living, rising costs and a housing crisis. What they need from financial service providers isn’t just another product; they need tools that make life simpler, more transparent and fairer. From real-time access to wages to innovative housing solutions like PadSplit...

Customer engagement in banking is shifting from passive loyalty to active engagement, driven by innovation and increasing customer expectations. Today’s customers want banks that understand their unique needs, offer quick and simple account setups, and provide a personalised experience.  But what is the difference between a fabulous relationship and being intrusive?  Banking Uncovered host Chloe J...

Intention to switch main bank accounts around the world is at an all-time high. In the world’s largest markets, up to 34% of consumers are considering changing their main bank provider. In the US it has never been higher at 25%.   Banking Uncovered host Charles Green talks to Jim Marous, a top 5 retail Banking Influencer, global speaker, podcast host and co-publisher at The Financial Brand, about...

RAA Insurance won three prestigious awards in the Australian Banking & Finance Awards 2024, Most Recommended General Insurer, Best Motor Insurer and Best Home Insurer. The Awards celebrate the financial service providers who have outperformed their peers, and often exceeded the expectations of their customers. Unlike other awards programmes, winners are determined by customers and are backed b...

The banking sector has undergone a radical transformation over the past decade. Fourteen years ago, when our podcast hosts first met our guest, there were no fintechs or neo banks. Now, the world’s top 20 fintechs significantly outvalue the top 20 traditional banks. So, what does the future hold? How should traditional banks navigate this changing landscape?  In this engaging episode of the Bankin...

Steve Weston, Head of Everyday Money Management at Barclays, discusses his career journey, including his role in founding neobank Volt and his return to Barclays UK. He shares valuable insights into the challenges and experiences of working in both a fintech startup and a traditional bank.  In this engaging episode of the Banking Uncovered podcast, Charles Green, RFI Global’s Founder, and co-host...

Did you know that half of SMEs globally are increasingly turning to non-traditional financial providers? As their trust in these new financial solutions has grown, many are now obtaining a wider range of financial products directly from these fintech providers. Additionally, numerous SMEs are forming partnerships with these innovative companies to enhance their value propositions and refine their...

RFI Global data shows that 75% of consumers and 1 in 4 SMEs in the UK are looking to switch their main bank - a HUGE threat to the high street banks that hold most of these relationships.  In this episode of Banking Uncovered, Chloe James sits down with Dave Birch, International Keynote Speaker, Author, and all-round Payments Guru. They talk about SME switching trends, the challenges of scheduling...

Bank switching rates for SMEs in the UK and other countries are high, and SMEs are expecting more innovative solutions.  In this episode of the  Banking Uncovered podcas t Charles Green, RFI Global’s Founder, speaks to Richard Davies, CEO of Allica Bank, about the trends in SME banking, the challenges and opportunities they represent, and much more.  Explore all our past podcast episodes here .

Banking Uncovered co-host Chloe James, speaks to Surendra Chaplot, Global Head of Product, at standout fintech, Wise about the biggest opportunities for fintechs and traditional players when it comes to money transfer amongst consumers and SME’s, how to give customers exactly what they want (and need), the threat to traditional banks and much, much more. Explore all our past podcast episodes here...