THE BANKERS' BOOKSHELF
THE BANKERS’ BOOKSHELF is a podcast show inspired by bestselling authors and renowned researchers—the minds behind the books and articles that hold a prominent place in the libraries of curious bankers and fintech entrepreneurs. They challenge corporate culture and redefine technological expectations to unlock a deeper understanding of the banking present and its fintech future. By engaging with these powerful ideas, we empower ourselves to make smarter, more informed business decisions.
Episodes
Tokenization of Money
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
India’s Digital Payments Transformation
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 NP
Fintech handbook
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 h
The Digital Phoenix Effect
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, a
Beyond Resilience: Patterns of Success in Fintech and Digital Transformation
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? An
Undisruptable
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
Wealth Management with a Difference
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
Data Impact
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 disc
Reshuffle – Who wins when AI restacks the knowledge economy
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
The Rise of the Sharing Economy
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 a
A new Ethos in Banking
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
Digital Money – Resilience and Operational Risks
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 exis
ROI of Thought Leadership
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 com
Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence
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 di
HBR Guide to Generative AI for Managers
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 dis
Banking as a Service
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 B
Future Money
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
The Geoeconomics of Money in the Digital Age
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 decad
One Stop – Unlocking the Power of Super Apps
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, part
Banking for small medium enterprises
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 b
Banks and Fintech on Platform Economies: Contextual and Conscious Banking
In this installment of The Bankers’ Bookshelf – guest and host roles mix in a discussion exploring the transformation of banking in the platform economy, focusing on embedded finance and conscious banking. Banks are shifting from traditional product-centric models to value-added services, leveraging data to offer personalized, outcome-driven solutions, especially for small and medium-s
Going Cashless with Digital Currencies
In this episode of The Bankers’ Bookshelf, Paolo Sironi hosts Richard Turrin, author of “Cashless,” as part of the Bankers’ Bookshelf series. They discuss the shift towards a cashless society driven by Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and fintech innovations. Turrin explains how CBDCs could reduce reliance on credit cards, lower transaction fees, and streamline commer
“Branch Today, Gone Tomorrow”
In the latest episode of “The Bankers’ Bookshelf,” host Paolo Sironi converses with Brett King, the originator of the Breaking Banks brand, about King’s upcoming book “Branch Today, Gone Tomorrow.” This book, a refreshed edition of his 2011 release, examines the dramatic reduction in physical bank branches over the past decade, driven by the rise of digital and
Why Machines Will Never Rule the World: Artificial Intelligence without Fear
In this episode of The Bankers’ Bookshel, host Paolo Sironi speaks with Dr. Jobst Landgrebe and Professor Barry Smith about their book, “Why Machines Will Never Rule the World: Artificial Intelligence without Fear”. The guests argue that artificial intelligence (AI) cannot achieve true intelligence or consciousness due to fundamental mathematical and philosophical
Intelligent Money
In the latest episode of Breaking Banks Europe’s “The Bankers’ Bookshelf,” host Paolo Sironi chats with renowned fintech author Chris Skinner about his book, Intelligent Money. Chris delves into the transformative impact of digital money and AI on financial services, predicting major changes by 2030. The conversation explores key themes like personalization, automation, and the t
The Fast Future Blur – Thinking Like An AI Native
In this episode of “The Bankers’ Bookshelf,” Paolo Sironi interviews fintech expert Efi Pylarinou about her new book “The Fast Future Blur” and its chapter “Thinking Like An AI Native.” They discuss how AI can help businesses navigate complex, interconnected changes in technology and society. Pylarinou explains the transition from traditional to AI-native
AI revolution: productivity boom and beyond
In this episode of “The Bankers’ Bookshelf,” host Paolo Sironi discusses the paper “AI Revolution: Productivity Boom and Beyond” with Christian Keller, Head of Economics Research at Barclays Investment Bank. The paper examines AI’s potential to drive significant productivity gains across industries, addressing the “productivity puzzle” where digital advanc
Financial Intermediation and Technology: What’s Old, What’s New?
In the latest episode of The Bankers’ BookShelf, host Paolo Sironi engages in an insightful discussion with renowned economist Arnoud Boot. Boot, a professor of Corporate Finance and Financial Markets at the University of Amsterdam and a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, delves into the European Central Bank’s Working Paper, “Financial intermediation and tec
Banking in 2035: three possible futures
In a dynamic conversation on the Bankers’ Bookshelf podcast, Paolo Sironi and Edwin Saliba from Economist Impact delve into the future of banking through qualitative scenarios and quantitative data. They explore Economist Impact’s report “Banking in 2035: Three Possible Futures,” outlining five Mega Trends shaping banking, including digital transformation and economic fragm
Customer Centricity
The Bankers’ BookShelf is back, and this week Paolo Sironi invited Erin Taylor and Anette Broløs – Co-founders of Finthropology to delve into the essence of finance beyond mere numbers. They argue that for most people, finance serves to achieve life goals and maintain social relationships, emphasizing the human aspect of financial transactions. The conversation highlights the need
Digital Finance in the EU
In the second episode of THE BANKERS’ BOOKSHELF hosted by Paolo Sironi, Mario Nava (Director General of DG REFORM for EU Commission) and Thorsten Beck (Director of the Florence School of Banking and Finance at the European University Institute) discuss the recent research “Digital Finance in the EU: drivers, risks, and opportunities”. The episode delves into the establishment of the EU-SFDA,
Platforms and Sandwich Economics
In the premiere episode of “The Bankers’ BookShelf,” Sangeet Choudary and Paolo Sironi explore the intricacies of sandwich economics, AI, and the future of banking. Drawing inspiration from Choudary’s book “Platform Revolution,” they delve into how platforms reshape industries and the geopolitical landscape. They discuss AI’s role in commoditizing knowledg
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