THE BANKERS' BOOKSHELF

Tokenization of Money 01.06.2026 25分

In this episode, Paolo Sironi speaks with Selim Yazıci and Michael Salmony, authors of “Tokenization of Money; from fiat currencies to stable coins”. They deliver a comprehensive, multi-perspective analysis of tokenised money by assembling leading insights from central banks, commercial banks, fintechs, academics, regulators, platform builders and service providers across all major geographies in a rare combination of academic rigour and highly practical, immediately applicable guidance for financial professionals. Selim and Michael explore why a new form of money is needed and examines the economics of tokenisation from tokenised deposits and securities to both liquid and illiquid instruments, transforming not only payments but the broader asset economy. In the conversaton, they provide a precise comparison of the different types of tokenised money: CBDCs in all their forms, commercial bank deposit tokens, and stablecoins, together with their implications for monetary stability. Will tokenised money displace traditional financial infrastructure? What are the geopolitical risks of digital monetary fragmentation? Have stablecoins strayed from their original decentralised principles? All key questions are discussed as wholesale tokenised corridors take shape, corporate treasurers adopt stablecoins for liquidity, and regulatory frameworks crystallise around the word.

India’s Digital Payments Transformation 04.05.2026 34分

In this episode, Paolo Sironi speaks with Dr. Balakrishnan Mahadevan (Balu), author of Designing Change: My Journey Through India’s Digital Payments Transformation. India’s digital payments have grown from under one billion transactions annually around 2010 to over 225 billion by March 2025—a more than 200-fold increase. Through his unique lens as a former banking technology leader, COO of NPCI during its critical scaling years, and World Bank advisor, Balu offers a rare insider’s account of how this transformation actually happened. The conversation explores the book’s core message: that payments innovation is rarely about a single breakthrough. Instead, it emerges through decades of institutional development, regulatory leadership, collaborative ecosystem building, and combinatorial innovation—integrating real-time rails, mobile interfaces, APIs, and interoperable frameworks. Balu discusses the long journey from early electronic systems to real-time networks like UPI, the critical role of institutional design, overcoming early skepticism, and lessons for both developing and developed markets. The discussion highlights broader implications for digital public infrastructure, financial inclusion, and the evolving role of banks. This episode provides deep, practitioner-led insights into building scalable, inclusive financial systems. LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbalu

Fintech handbook 30.03.2026 21分

In this episode, author Dimitrios Salampasis joins host Paolo Sironi to introduce the Research Handbook on FinTech, a global scholarly effort to understand finance’s radical transformation. Two decades ago, finance meant traditional banks and centralised institutions. Today, digital payments, AI, blockchain, and central bank digital currencies are rewriting the rules. Dimitrios explains why this handbook arrives at the perfect moment: FinTech has matured from startup hype into core infrastructure, involving regulators, central banks, technology companies, and incumbents alike. It now shapes payments, digital assets, identity, trust, and inclusion worldwide. He reveals his motivation: to bridge the gap between rapid innovation and lagging academic theory by uniting leading scholars across finance, law, economics, and technology into one intellectual map. Editing the book felt like conducting an orchestra—bringing global experts together while keeping pace with fast-moving developments. Dimitrios highlights the surprising global reach of FinTech, the convergence of AI and blockchain, and the growing role of governments. Essential reading for researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and students seeking to understand—and shape—the future of digital finance. LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimitriossalampasis

The Digital Phoenix Effect 02.02.2026 26分

In this episode, author Daniel Trabucchi joins host Paolo Sironi to explore strategies for legacy companies to embrace platform business models amid dominance by tech-native giants. Drawing from his book The Digital Phoenix Effect, he outlines a pragmatic approach for traditional firms to foster innovation through platform thinking, preserving core strengths like customers, suppliers, data, and expertise. Unlike startup-focused literature, this conversation emphasizes internal transformation in established organizations, blending academic rigor with practical insights from Thinkers50-recognized experts. Ideal for leaders seeking sustainable, networked value creation without radical overhauls. LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-trabucchi-a7891566 https://www.linkedin.com/in/buganza TWITTER @DanielTrabucchi @polimi

Beyond Resilience: Patterns of Success in Fintech and Digital Transformation 05.01.2026 30分

In this episode, Paolo Sironi dives into “Beyond Resilience: Patterns of Success in Fintech and Digital Transformation” with author Leda Glyptis. At the heart of the conversation are probing questions: Is success in fintech truly pattern-based? Can the journey of building new banks or digital services, whether from scratch or within established organizations, be predictable enough to replicate? And if patterns exist, are they within our reach to emulate? Drawing from candid interviews with leading fintech entrepreneurs and innovators, Leda uncovers the raw realities of creating groundbreaking ventures. This isn’t a glorified montage of founder grit set to triumphant anthems, nor a collection of polished vendor success stories that skim the surface. Instead, it’s an honest exploration of the messiness: the lessons learned, the inevitable mistakes, the constant course-corrections, and the profound personal and professional growth required. Leading fintech transformations demands more than sheer resilience: it’s about wielding control amid chaos, maintaining unwavering consistency and integrity, and standing firm, whether solo or with a team. Join us in this conversation,  perfect for entrepreneurs, innovators, and anyone navigating digital change. LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/leda-glyptis-phd-272492 TWITTER https://twitter.com/LedaGlyptis

Undisruptable 02.12.2025 24分

In this episode, Paolo Sironi interviews Aiden McCullen to explore his book UNDISRIPTABLE, a book that brings order to the chaos we are experiencing in personal and corporate lofe to the acceleration of the innovation life cycle. While we cannot see into the future, there are repeatable patterns we can understand learning from homo sapiens to CEOs, from hunters to the jelly fish as a way to master the infinite loop of reinvention. Aiden demystifies the principles of change through a blend of analogies, innovation frameworks and the challenges we face whenever we lead change at a personal or organizational level. LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/aidanmccullen/https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-innovation-show/ INSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/the_innovation_show/ TWITTERhttps://x.com/AidanMcCullenhttps://x.com/TheInnoShow

Wealth Management with a Difference 03.11.2025 31分

In this episode, Paolo Sironi interviews April Rudin and Nick Rice to explore their new book Wealth Management with a Difference, an essential guide for advisors and firms navigating an era of unprecedented wealth transfer, where millennials, Gen Z, and women are poised to inherit trillions while technology revolutionizes financial services. From understanding demographic trends, like serving tech-savvy younger clients and empowered women, to mastering retirement planning, wealthtech tools, and digital marketing, April and Nick explore how to build deeper connections between wealth managers and clients and how to drive business efficiency. Whether you’re an advisor seeking to elevate client engagement or a firm leader aiming for sustainable growth, this conversation provides actionable frameworks to thrive amid disruption. LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilrudin/https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-rice-028b1948/ INSTAGRAM@aprilrudin@brunswickgroup TWITTER@TheRudinGroup@BrunswickGroup

Data Impact 29.09.2025 33分

In this episode, Paolo Sironi interviews Ritavan to explore his book Data Impact: How legacy businesses Save, Leverage, Align, Simplify, Optimize, and Grow to WIN. The SLASOG framework is a methodology designed to empower non-digital native businesses in harnessing their unique strengths for scalable, data-driven growth. Drawing from first-principles and empirically validated strategies, they discuss actionable insights to align teams on value creation, streamline processes, and accelerate innovation. You will gain practical guidance on: avoiding expensive groupthink pitfalls to save costs and enhance decision-making; identifying and capitalizing on core strengths and high-impact opportunities; fostering alignment across people, processes, and goals for unified progress; simplifying operations to reduce complexity costs while boosting leveraged returns: optimizing learning through empirical evidence for measurable impact; and cultivating an abundance mindset to drive demand-focused expansion and overcome scarcity thinking. Paolo’s and Ritavan’s conversation demystifies data-driven transformation and equips leaders with tools for sustainable success. GUEST SOCIAL MEDIAhttps://slasog.substack.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/rritavan/https://mavenmaverick.substack.com/

Reshuffle – Who wins when AI restacks the knowledge economy 01.09.2025 31分

In this episode, Paolo Sironi interviews Sangeet Paul Choudary, author of Reshuffle: Who Wins When AI Restacks the Knowledge Economy. They discuss how AI is set to transform the global economy and company operations by redistributing power among key players. Sangeet’s research delves into four central tensions: workers versus their software tools, tool providers versus the companies that purchase them, consolidating businesses versus the industries they disrupt, and empowered individuals versus established incumbents. Drawing on compelling examples, historical parallels, and innovative perspectives, this conversation uncoves the opportunities and challenges AI presents—and reveals who stands to succeed or struggle in this reshuffled landscape. GUEST SOCIAL MEDIA Sangeet Choudary – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sangeetpaul/

The Rise of the Sharing Economy 05.08.2025 22分

In this episode, Paolo Sironi interviews Kevin Govender, author of “The Rise of the Sharing Economy”. Together, they discuss the sharing economy—a concept that Time magazine named one of the “Ten ideas that will change the world” in 2011, and which has since grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry. Kevin breaks down the evolution of sharing platforms, key consumer trends, and alternative business models. These insights empower us to view access as a powerful cultural and socio-economic force that creates savings in time, money, and space. Filled with real-world business examples, the conversation reveals how the sharing economy is fundamentally transforming the way we live, work, learn, and consume. GUEST SOCIAL MEDIA Kevin Govender – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevingovender/

A new Ethos in Banking 07.07.2025 20分

In this episode, Paolo Sironi sits down with Rik Coeckelbergs, author of “A New Ethos in Banking”. They discuss how change is impacting banking and the industry’s reputation, exploring what a new ethos in banking should look like, and, more importantly, the needed contributions from the industry to the road ahead. Rik’s book guides decision-makers in a new direction, a positive alternative to the status quo. It’s an urgent call to action, with practical and relevant insights to improve a bank’s societal footprint beyond the required compliance and regulatory efforts into sustainability, transparency, and ethics in banking. This conversation will inspire those that look for successful stakeholder models without ignoring shareholder interests, putting people and society first, and understanding this can only work with a healthy financial model. GUEST SOCIAL MEDIA Rik Coeckelbergs – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikcoeckelbergs/

Digital Money – Resilience and Operational Risks 02.06.2025 46分

In this episode, Paolo Sironi sits down with Patrick McConnell, author of “Digital Money: Operational Risks and the Threats to Operational Resilience”. They discuss the far-reaching impacts of emerging types of digital money upon financial institutions’ operational risk and resilience profiles. Many new operational risks could potentially arise as digital money innovations are integrated with existing systems. In addition to helping to manage existing risks, operational risk management (ORM) groups will have to become experts in technology and cryptography. Patrick’s comprehensive analysis of how the digital financial ecosystem is adapting covers: emerging types of digital money, evolving global and instant payments, cryptocurrencies, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and stablecoins. They also discuss other financial and technology innovations, such as post-quantum computing. GUEST SOCIAL MEDIA Patrick McConnell – https://www.linkedin.com/in/pjmcconnell/

ROI of Thought Leadership 05.05.2025 21分

In this episode, Paolo Sironi sits down with Cindy Anderson and Anthony Marshsall, the authors of the “The ROI of Thoughts Leadership” to discuss how business research can help financial institutions to navigate the thought leadership world and make the best informed business decisions. And it’s a good read for all companies willing to invest in thought leadership but looking for the most compelling rational to build their business case. GUEST SOCIAL MEDIA Cindy Anderson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/clwanderson480/ Anthony Marshall – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyejmarshall/ IBM Institute for Business Value

Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence 07.04.2025 25分

There is no lack of hype around artificial intelligence. We have only begun to scratch the surface of what this powerful technology can do. While tech and financial services become more intertwined, cutting through the noise has become more difficult but also more crucial. In this episode, Paolo Sironi sits down with Theodora Lau, the author of the “Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence” to discuss how AI is poised to advancing innovation, to creating efficiencies, and enhancing productivity while capturing opportunities by both incumbent financial institutions as well as fintechs. But AI also comes with risks and potential for biases and disinformation, that can deepen inequalities and erode trust in our society. Responsible innovation must become part of our DNA and not as an afterthought. Thodora’s book will help spark dialogue and collaboration as we journey into the future. GUEST SOCIAL MEDIA Linkedin Elisa – https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ Instagram – @psb_dc X – @psb_dc

HBR Guide to Generative AI for Managers 03.03.2025 27分

Generative AI is revolutionizing the workplace, but how can managers harness its full potential beyond just automation? In this episode, Paolo Sironi sits down with Elisa Farri and Gabriele Rosani, the authors of the “Harvard Business Review Guide to Generative AI for Managers”. They explore how leaders can use AI as a strategic partner in problem-solving, innovation, and decision-making. They discuss practical applications and real-world case studies about how to leverage AI as a co-thinker to enhance your managerial productivity and business leadership.

Banking as a Service 03.02.2025 37分

Paolo Sironi meets Jason Mikula, author of “Banking as a Service: Opportunities, Challenges and Risks of New Banking Business Models”. BaaS is a game changer in the financial services sector, radically transforming both how consumers experience financial products and the business models delivering them. In this conversation, Jason cuts through the hype to provide a measured overview of BaaS, helping us to demystify a complex evolving field and understand its key opportunities, challenges and risks. There is a difference between BaaS, embedded finance and open banking. And Jason provides a framework for understanding where BaaS came from, how BaaS changes the economics and business models of banking products and services, its impact on key stakeholders, and its key regulatory implications.  GUEST SOCIAL MEDIA Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonmikula/ Twitter – https://x.com/mikulaja

Future Money 20.01.2025 26分

Paolo Sironi meets Ronit Ghose, who runs the Future of Finance team in Citi’s thought leadership unit “Citi Global Insights”, and is the author of “Future Money: Fintech, AI and Web 3”. The world of money is rapidly changing, but what does it all really mean? Paolo discusses some book insights with Ronit, who brings technical topics to vivid life via narrative deep dives into selected founders and their companies. Spanning multiple geographies from London to Lagos, via Ahmedabad, Dubai, Hong Kong, Karachi and more, Future Money pulls together the story of how money is changing in the internet era.

The Geoeconomics of Money in the Digital Age 02.01.2025 27分

Paolo Sironi meets Nicola Bilotta, coordinator of the EU-Supervisory Digital Finance Academy and author of “The Geoeconomics of Money in the Digital Age”. In a more contentious world economy, where trade and finance are increasingly interlinked with economic security and geopolitical considerations, questions arise about the underpinnings of the US dollar’s global leadership. For decades, the US dollar has reigned supreme, serving as a powerful tool of US foreign policy. However, history shows that currency dominance can shift with global power dynamics. Will China or another power rise to challenge the US-led system? Will the international monetary system experience a process of fragmentation, or will a new global order emerge? Will financial technology ease such a change? In this conversation, Paolo and Nicola delve into the intricate web of how three forces – economic dislocation, evolving geopolitical relations, and technology – could potentially foster transformations in the international monetary system.

One Stop – Unlocking the Power of Super Apps 02.12.2024 32分

Host Paolo Sironi welcomes listeners to another special segment of The Bankers’ Bookshelf, which highlights significant publications for bankers and fintech professionals. For this episode, Paolo introduces Neha Mehta, author of the book One Stop: Unlocking the Power of Super Apps. The book delves into the transformative role super apps are playing in reshaping economies, particularly in Asia, and how they impact finance, commerce, and daily life. Paolo emphasizes that the episode will provide deep insights into the potential of super apps, making it an essential listen for fintech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and financial professionals. ‌ Connect with Neha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neha-mehta-fintech/ Neha Mehta is the CEO & Founder of FemTech Partners and a renowned advocate for financial inclusion and sustainable finance. With over 19 years of experience as a lawyer, diplomat, and professor, she has led transformative initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on bridging the financial gap for underbanked populations. She is the author of One Stop, a book that explores the power of super apps in transforming financial ecosystems. A yoga and archery enthusiast, Neha is passionate about fostering sustainable solutions for future generations. Book link: https://www.amazon.com/One-Stop-Neha-Mehta/dp/9815127888 ‌ Paolo Sironi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thepsironi/

Banking for small medium enterprises 04.11.2024 33分

In this episode of The Banker’s Bookshelf, host Paolo Sironi and guest Khrystyna Kushnir discuss insights from the IBM report, Banking for Small and Medium Enterprises: Serving the World Economy. The report highlights the evolving needs of SMEs, including access to finance, market entry, and business support, with a notable focus on technology integration. While bankers emphasize branch accessibility and app usability, SMEs seek personalized solutions, ecosystem integration, and super apps that address both banking and business needs. Key differences across regions are highlighted, such as the U.S. focus on branch access versus India’s emphasis on mobile apps, influenced by government-led digital adoption. Both bankers and SMEs agree on the value of instant payments and cash flow forecasting, while SMEs also prioritize fraud monitoring and regulatory support. The episode underscores the role of AI in risk management and invites listeners to read the report, available at: https://www.ibm.com/downloads/documents/us-en/10c31775c8d402bb ‌ Khrystyna Kushnir is an Operations Officer with the International Finance Corporation’s Corporate Strategic Initiatives, Analytics, Learning, and Knowledge Management group. She initially joined IFC in 2018 as the Knowledge Management and Content Lead for the SME Finance Forum, focusing on small business research. Previously, Khrystyna held research positions at the World Bank Group, which she joined in 2010. Her earlier professional experience includes roles with the European Union, a Japanese consulting firm, and a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. Khrystyna holds an M.A. in International Economic Relations from American University, where she studied as a Fulbright scholar. Connect now: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khrystyna-kushnir/ ‌ Paolo Sironi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thepsironi/