Connected Banking Summit 2026

What Makes This Event Worth Watching

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 financial transformation programme underpins the context for Connected Banking Summit

• The summit focuses on evolving financial services through cloud-native banking infrastructure, real-time payments interoperability, open banking frameworks, AI-powered cybersecurity and digital identity modernisation. Delegates can expect boardroom-level discussions on moving beyond basic digitisation toward intelligent, interoperable and resilient financial ecosystems across the GCC.

The programme themes highlight practical areas of modernisation. Core topics include real-time payments and cross-border integration, cybersecurity and digital trust architecture, cloud-native core banking, digital identity and national trust frameworks, open banking and API ecosystems, AI and automation in operations, SME and corporate banking transformation, embedded finance, treasury and liquidity optimisation, and ESG and sustainable finance alignment. For performance marketers in financial services, these focus areas offer clear insight into emerging priorities driving budgets and partnership decisions.

Who Should Attend

Connected Banking Summit 2026 is designed for decision-makers and specialists shaping banking and financial services across the GCC. ICSA explicitly focuses on C-suite banking leaders and regulators, framing the summit as a boardroom-level access opportunity rather than a mass-market conference. This makes it particularly relevant to affiliate and performance marketing teams targeting high-value financial institutions and regulated fintechs.

Based on the event’s stated focus and audience signals, key attendee profiles include:

• Bank executives overseeing digital transformation, payments, risk, compliance, treasury and corporate banking.
• Fintech founders and leaders seeking partnerships with GCC banks on embedded finance, open banking and digital identity.
• Regulators and policy professionals engaged in open banking implementation, digital banking licensing and financial-sector reforms.
• Cybersecurity, RegTech, infrastructure and cloud technology vendors positioning solutions around AI-driven risk analytics, fraud prevention and digital trust.

Networking and Business Value

ICSA positions Connected Banking Summit as a relationship-driven environment, emphasising that sponsors and partners are buying access rather than broad visibility. The summit brings together curated delegates from banks, fintechs and technology providers for strategic networking aimed at shortening sales cycles across Africa and the GCC. For affiliate marketers and performance marketing leaders, the event offers concentrated exposure to decision-makers who influence technology procurement and partnership models.

Attendees gain several business advantages:

• Direct conversations with C-suite executives, regulators and heads of digital, payments, cybersecurity and customer experience.
• Opportunities to explore partnership models around open banking, real-time payments, embedded finance and digital identity.
• Insight into how GCC institutions allocate investment across AI, automation, fraud prevention and ESG-aligned financial products.
• Alignment of marketing and partnership strategies with Vision 2030 financial-sector objectives and SAMA-led open banking rollouts.

How to Prepare Before You Go

Connected Banking Summit 2026 operates in English and is described as a premium summit with a small crowd size under 500 attendees. The suggested dress code is business casual, which suits both banking executives and technology leaders. With ticket pricing positioned in the premium range and listed at 2,799 USD, marketing and business development teams should plan budgets accordingly.

To maximise value from the summit:

• Map priority banks, fintechs and technology partners aligned with your product or affiliate portfolio.
• Prepare concise value propositions around digital transformation themes such as AI risk analytics, real-time payments, open banking and cybersecurity.
• Schedule meetings in advance via

the event’s registration and contact channels to secure time with senior delegates.

• Align content offers and lead qualification criteria with GCC regulatory priorities, including open banking and digital trust.

Event Details Snapshot

Connected Banking Summit 2026 runs as a one-day summit on 30 September 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The venue is listed as Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, reflecting a city-based location rather than a specific property name. The summit is organised by the International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA), which curates the Connected Banking series and associated Innovation & Excellence Awards.

Key signals for planning include:

• Date: 30 September 2026.
• Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• Format: Boardroom-style banking summit and Innovation & Excellence Awards edition.
• Language: English.
• Audience level: All levels, with emphasis on C-suite and senior leadership.
• Ticketing: Premium price point around 2,799 USD, with registration managed via the official Connected Banking Summit Saudi Arabia website.

For affiliate marketing and performance teams, this summit offers a focused opportunity to understand GCC banks’ digital roadmaps, refine.