Leaders from across Switzerland’s banking community came together in Zurich for a day of discussion, insight and shared perspectives on the future of payments. The event created space for open conversation around regulatory change, technological innovation and the evolving expectations of customers in a rapidly shifting landscape.
The day opened with a keynote from Vitus Rotzer, Global Head of Banking GTM, who outlined Bottomline’s vision for secure, international financial automation and set the tone for the sessions ahead.
Global Industry Insights
A dynamic quick‑fire panel brought together:
- Vitus Rotzer, Bottomline
- Dr Konrad Schwenke, Deloitte AG
- Alexandre Kech,Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation
- Sertac Cetiner, Im‑Par
The conversation explored major global shifts, including the acceleration of real‑time payments, growing fraud pressures and rising regulatory expectations. Trusted digital identity, interoperability and data‑driven automation were highlighted as essential building blocks for the future.
European priorities such as instant payments and Verification of Payee generated strong discussion, as did the increasing complexity of financial crime. The panel agreed that real‑time liquidity, AI‑powered case handling and seamless cross‑border connectivity will define the next era of payments, bringing speed, intelligence and simplicity to customer experiences.
Swiss Market Update
A focused Swiss panel featured:
- Mihai Moldovan, Bottomline
- Matthias Sailer, SIX Interbank Clearing
- Dennis Flad, t’charta
- Sascha Kruesi, Wallee
The session explored the structural changes shaping Switzerland’s payments ecosystem, including instant payments, RTGS modernisation, the transition from euroSIC and heightened operational resilience requirements.
Strong fraud controls, real‑time transparency and compelling use cases were identified as key drivers for SIC Instant Payments adoption. As cross‑border demands grow and alternative payment methods gain traction, the pressure to modernise infrastructure continues to build. Switzerland’s opportunity lies in moving towards a unified, resilient, 24/7 payments platform aligned with global standards.
Peer to Peer Insights
The final panel featured:
- Mihai Moldovan, Bottomline
- Rodolfo Milos, Pictet Group
- Marion Fogli, Finance Made Human
Participants shared practical approaches to international payments, SIC Instant Payments readiness and the shift to 24/7 operations. Institutions discussed scalability, customer expectations, regulatory requirements and the growing role of ISO 20022 data in streamlining operations.
Cloud and SaaS adoption continues to progress at different paces, while cross‑border payments still face challenges in cost, transparency and speed. AI‑enabled fraud prevention is becoming increasingly important. Looking ahead, instant payments are expected to be a major disruptor, creating new opportunities for differentiation in the Swiss market.
Networking with a View
The event concluded with relaxed networking over lunch on a rooftop terrace, offering time for conversation, idea‑sharing and a chance to take in the Zurich skyline.
It was great to see so many of our customers again and we plan to bring this event back as an annual event.
