Digital Game Changers

Join us as we explore digital banking transformation in the Philippines with one of the country's most accomplished technology leaders. Discover how strategic IT leadership, innovative product development, and next-generation technologies are reshaping the Philippine banking landscape.

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Meet Our Guest: Ramon Abasolo, Digital Banking & IT Transformation Leader Ramon is a seasoned digital banking and IT transformation leader with over 25 years of experience across the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia.

He has served in senior IT leadership roles at Citi and major Philippine financial institutions, leading large-scale tech overhauls and digital innovations. Most notably, he transformed Robinsons Bank into a fully digital bank, from modernizing its cloud infrastructure and launching award-winning mobile platforms, to pioneering agency banking, innovative loan products, and gamified savings products.

More recently, he was a key leader in the post-merger integration of Robinsons Bank into BPI, and was part of the payments team that focused on cross-border remittance innovation. Beyond executive roles, Ramon serves as a strategic advisor to fintechs and technology solution providers, and is an active voice in AI governance, payments strategy, and platform innovation. When he's not architecting the future of digital banking, you might find him running marathons or capturing street photography.

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Key Discussion Topics:

- The Evolution of Digital Banking in the Philippines

How banks' approach to digital solutions has shifted over the past 25 years, and the most significant transformation moments that have shaped the industry.

- Understanding Philippine Banking Customers

The features and attributes that Filipino banking customers value most in their digital interactions, and what drives successful user experiences in the local market.

- Provincial Banks Rising to Digital Challenges

How smaller, regional banks are overcoming resource constraints to meet the expectations of tech-savvy customers, even in rural areas with high digital adoption.

- AI and GenAI in Banking

The key areas banks should focus on when considering GenAI adoption, from use case identification to governance frameworks for responsible implementation.

- Future Technology Challenges

The biggest technology-related challenges Philippine banks will face in the coming years, from regulatory evolution to competitive pressures and customer expectations.

- Build vs. Buy Strategic Decisions

How IT leaders approach the critical decision between building custom solutions versus purchasing off-the-shelf technology, and the factors that influence this strategy.

Tune in to hear some great insights! To be a part of our series or know more about us write to us at [email protected]

Join us for Episode 24 as we sit down with Marichelle Almario, Head of Customer Protection and Experience Management & Data Protection Officer at the Philippine Bank of Communications (PBCOM). With over 30 years of leadership experience across telecom, hospitality, and banking, Marichelle has driven transformative initiatives that elevated customer satisfaction and engagement.

As PBCOM’s Vice Representative for the banking sector on customer and data protection, she continues to shape the future of customer experience in the Philippines. In this episode, we explore how strategic UX design, customer feedback, and innovative thinking are transforming digital banking experiences.

💡 Key Discussion Points

🔹 Defining User Experience: Cutting through buzzwords to understand what truly matters in today’s digital landscape. Evaluating Digital Excellence: How to assess whether a website or mobile app delivers outstanding UX.

🔹 Motivating UX Innovation: Where great designers find inspiration and how they drive innovation.

🔹 Customer Feedback Strategies: Effective methods for gathering and leveraging feedback on digital channels.

🔹 UX Refresh Timing: How often banks should refresh their digital user experience and why.

🎧 Whether you’re a banking professional, digital transformation leader, or CX enthusiast, this conversation offers actionable insights and real-world lessons for achieving digital excellence in financial services.

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert conversations on digital banking innovation!

#UserExperience #DigitalBanking #CustomerExperience #UXDesign #Philippines #Banking #CustomerProtection #DigitalTransformation #UXPodcast

The future of cybersecurity in African financial services is being shaped by pioneering leaders who understand that protection and innovation must work hand in hand. In our latest episode, we explore the groundbreaking journey of cybersecurity excellence across East and Southern Africa.

🎙 Meet Our Guest:

Matambila Karima-Chuunga - Regional Chief Information Security Officer, United Bank for Africa (UBA)

Matambila oversees cybersecurity strategy across East and Southern Africa. As the first Zambian and first female to hold this role, she has led key initiatives, including PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SWIFT CSP, and Data Protection Compliance, strengthening organizational resilience.

A dedicated advocate for cybersecurity awareness and diversity in tech, she co-hosts HoneyPot Chats and co-founded Women in Technology Network Zambia (WiTN), whose mentorship program won the Best Tech Initiative for Women at the 2023 Techtrends Awards. Recognized as a FinTech leader in SADC (2022) and profiled by MIT Horizon, she is also a two-time 2024 ICTAZ Award winner, receiving the Cyber Security Excellence Individual Award and Outstanding Female ICT Professional of the Year Award.

💡 What We Explored:

🔹Digital Banking Trends - Key developments shaping the African banking sector and their security implications

🔹Cyber Threat Landscape - Why banks remain prime targets and the evolving tactics of cybercriminals

🔹Innovation & Security Balance - Managing cyber risks without stifling digital transformation initiatives

🔹Customer Protection Strategy - Comprehensive approaches to protecting customers from sophisticated scams and fraud

🔹Future-Ready Security - The evolution of cybersecurity in financial services and emerging defense mechanisms

🔹AI Governance Framework - Responsible AI implementation and governance structures in banking operations

🎯 Key Takeaways:

✅ Why diverse leadership strengthens cybersecurity frameworks and threat identification

✅ How to implement international security standards across diverse African regulatory environments

✅ The critical balance between technology solutions (60%) and human factors (40%) in cybersecurity

✅ Strategies for building customer awareness and education programs that prevent fraud

✅ Essential components of AI governance for responsible technology deployment in banking

To be a part of our podcast series, write to us at: [email protected]

#DigitalGameChangers #Cybersecurity #AfricanBanking #WomenInTech #FinTech #BankingSecurity #DigitalTransformation #Leadership #Zambia #UBA #Tagit #Podcast #FinancialServices #DataProtection #RiskManagement #TechLeadership #Innovation #Africa

Tagit’s ‘Digital Game Changers; is a video/podcast series where we invite banking leaders to share their knowledge, experience, and insights on the show This series will dive into digital technology and its ability to transform banks with variety of topics including digital banking, fintech, architecture, new-age technologies etc.

#bankingtechnology #bankingsoftware #digitalbanking #mobeix #tagit

Lito Villanueva is the Philippines’ leading and award- winning thought leader on digital transformation and inclusive digital finance

In this episode, we talk to Lito, about the digital transformation initiatives at RCBC, impact of COVID-19 and how the bank has successfully addressed the challenges to grow its customer base. He also talks about the trends in 2022 that will shape the banking industry and the importance of putting the customer at the forefront.

About Digital Game Changers Tagit’s ‘Digital Game Changers; is a video/podcast series where we invite banking leaders to share their knowledge, experience, and insights on the show. This series will dive into digital technology and its ability to transform banks with variety of topics including digital banking, fintech, architecture, new-age technologies etc.

In Episode 3 of Digital Game Changers by Tagit, we talk to Manish Fernando, Assistant Vice President and Head of Retail Liability Products and Alternate Channels about the banking landscape in Sri Lanka and digital trends in 2022 and beyond.

Some of the topics discussed include:

1. The digital transformation journey at Union Bank and some of the key digital initiatives that the Bank is undertaking

2. Some of the challenges brought on by the pandemic and how it has impacted the banking industry

3. Digital landscape in banking for 2022 and beyond in Sri Lanka

4. Key technology trends in 2022 that will have an impact on the industry

Tune in to hear some great insights!

To be a part of our series or know more about us write to us at [email protected]

In Episode 4 of Digital Game Changers vodcast series by Tagit, we talk to Christopher Chan, CIO of Thai Credit Retail Bank about the banking landscape in Thailand and digital trends in 2022 and beyond.

Key topics discussed include:

1. What has been the most significant changes in the way banks in Thailand are approaching digital capabilities over the last 18-24 months?

2. Payments capabilities in Thailand have significantly improved over the last 12 months, both for consumers and merchants. Do you believe this is helping drive digital adoption outside of the major metropolitan areas and what other initiatives do you believe banks should consider to further drive digital adoption?

3. Several of the major banks in Thailand have launched subsidiaries focused on digital initiatives, such as AI, Blockchain and others. Do you believe these initiatives will continue and do you believe they will have significant impact on the digital capabilities across Thailand as a whole?

4. For your bank, what are the major areas of digital focus over the next 12-24 months and how much of this is / was influenced by Covid?

5. What is your outlook for digital in Thailand over the next few years and how much of this will be influenced by “core modernization” of the banks?

Tune in to hear some great insights!

To be a part of our series or know more about us write to us at [email protected]

#digitalgamechangers #tagit #digitalbanking #digitaltransformation #bankingtech #retailbanking #microfinance #thailand #podcast #vodcast

In Episode 5 of Digital Game Changers vodcast series by Tagit, we talk to Colin Dinn, Chief Digital Officer at Vietcom Bank about the banking landscape in Vietnam, the role of platform architecture and digital banking trends in 2022 and beyond.

Key topics discussed include:

1. What are some of the interesting things you see today relative to the Vietnam Digital Banking landscape?

2. Vietnam is witnessing a massive acceleration of digital transformation relative to banking. There are new digital-only banks, established e-Wallet players, and local banks that are investing heavily in digital transformation. Amidst, all this competition what is the approach that will differentiate you from the rest?

3. How do you design and define the solutions that are structured around the customers’ lifestyle and the ecosystem that he operates in?

4. What are some key technology trends over the next couple of years that will transform banking as we know it today?

5. How important a role does architecture play in a bank's digital transformation journey? What will be the 3 key things banks need to watch out for/ready for in 2022?

Tune in to hear some great insights!

To be a part of our series or know more about us write to us at [email protected]

#digitalgamechangers #tagit #digitalbanking #digitaltransformation #bankingtech #retailbanking #vietnam #podcast #vodcast #bankingsoftware #digitalplatform #platformarchitecture

In Episode 6 of Digital Game Changers podcast and series by Tagit, we talk to Mohamed Roushdy, Fintech & Digital Transformation Advisor, Middle East.

Mr. Roushdy is a seasoned technology professional and executive with more than 25 years of experience across multiple industries including financial services. Mr. Roushdy has been nominated as one of the top 50 CIOs at the IDC CIO Summit in 2021 Digital Leaders in the Middle East. He is a distinguished speaker at major regional and international conferences about Fintech and disruptive technologies such as Blockchain, AI, IOT and Big Data etc.

Key topics discussed include:

1. What are the major technology trends in the Fintech industry in Middle East that are set to grow over the next few years?

2. What is the current state/landscape of digital banking in ME? Have you seen a significant shift in consumer perception or adoption of digital channels?

3. What are some of the challenges being faced by banks?

4. What are the key ingredients for banks to adopt for a successful digital transformation program?

Tune in to hear some great insights!

To be a part of our series or know more about us write to us at [email protected]

#digitalgamechangers #tagit #digitalbanking #digitaltransformation #bankingtech #middleeast #podcast #vodcast #bankingsoftware #digitalbankingplatform

In Episode 7 of Digital Game Changers podcast and series by Tagit, we talk to Shadab Taiyabi, President - Singapore Fintech Association (SFA).

Shadab leads the SFA Executive Committee, which sets the strategic direction for SFA's activities related to advocacy, fostering business growth, facilitating access to capital and opportunities as well as growing the FinTech talent pool. He is also the Head of Fintech and Innovation, APAC at Schroders, leading collaboration with fintech players and spearheading innovation initiatives in the APAC region.

SFA is the national industry association of Singapore representing almost 900 companies in the FinTech ecosystem. It is a cross-industry initiative designed to facilitate collaboration between all market participants and stakeholders. SFA brings together a strong community to foster collaboration, innovation and partnerships among members and the industry at-large, with the goal of strengthening Singapore’s position as a global FinTech hub.

Key topics discussed include:

1. The latest initiatives of the Singapore Fintech Association and how is it facilitating the growth of the digital ecosystem in Singapore and Asia - Are there similar Fintech Associations that are a strong influence in their respective geographies?

2. There has been a fair amount of “buzz” in the market around “Fintech Ecosystems.” How would one define or describe these eco-systems? - There has also been increased activity in the banking sector over the last 18-24 months of banks using fintech labs as a way of accelerating their digital initiatives. What does it take for a bank to move a successful prototype out of the fintech lab into the real world of banking, considering regulatory environments and the demand of banks for stable and scalable systems?

3. Digital only banks have now been with us long enough for us to evaluate their merits and returns. While some have been successful, many have been challenged and all of them promote branchless/paperless kinds of environments to entice customers to use their services. Combine the challenges with the recent security and scam reportings, are banks slowing the growth of their digital initiatives? What is the impact to consumers?

4. What are some of the technology trends that you are seeing that will become a mainstay over the next couple of years?

To be a part of our series or know more about us write to us at [email protected]

#digitalgamechangers #tagit #digitalbanking #digitaltransformation #singapore #podcast #webcast #bankingsoftware #digitalplatform #singaporefintechassociation #sfa Tune in to hear some great insights!

To be a part of our series or know more about us write to us at [email protected]