In this episode of HFS Unfiltered Stories, Saurabh Gupta, President, Research and Advisory Services at HFS Research, sits down with Deepak Arora, SVP of Financial Services at HCLTech, to explore the dynamic transformation sweeping through commercial banking. From macroeconomic volatility to regulatory complexity and rapid digital disruption, banks are being pushed to act—not wait—for change.

Deepak unpacks how leading institutions are tackling modernization with purpose and urgency, backed by real-world case studies. From overhauling working capital systems to streamlining trade finance using AI and GenAI, the conversation brings to life the practical steps banks are taking to future-proof their business. Deepak also lays out a clear, actionable roadmap for moving from operational resilience to sustainable growth.

Key highlights of the discussion include:

• From Resilience to Growth: Commercial banks are evolving from a defensive posture to a growth-oriented, future-ready mindset.
• Balancing Legacy with Innovation: Modernization strategies must protect the stability of legacy systems while introducing digital agility.
• Use Cases That Matter: HCLTech is driving transformation in areas like trade finance, working capital optimization, and cash management.
• AI with Purpose: AI and GenAI are being applied intentionally to solve core business problems, not just for experimentation.
• Accelerated Tech Adoption: Macroeconomic and regulatory pressures are pushing banks to embrace change faster than ever.
• Beyond Point Solutions: Success lies in embracing platform-led transformation with integrated, scalable workflows.
• The New Playbook: Winning strategies center on platform investments, workflow redesign, and strong business-tech collaboration.

Trust at the Core: Efficiency matters—but trust, experience, and purpose are now key pillars of transformation.

Tune into this must-listen conversation for insight into how commercial banks are redefining their future today.

Read the full report HFS Horizons: The Best Service Providers for Commercial Banks, 2025 here: https://www.hfsresearch.com/research/hfs-horizons-the-best-service-providers-for-commercial-banks-2025/