Where the tech transformation of financial services is headed

Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK Festival 2025 has wrapped, but the insights will continue to inspire.

Here we’re breaking down the need-to-know takeaways from the “From Back-Office to Front-Line: Redefining FIs Operations” panel where Dan Roberts, Managing Director, Strategic Change, Business Risk & Client Services, Commercial Banking, Hong Kong, HSBC joined industry leaders to discuss the rapid adoption of emerging technologies, hurdles in scaling digital solutions, and the measurable impact of these capabilities on competitiveness and resilience.

• Convergence of capabilities – AI, blockchain and cloud computing are all advancing at pace, but over the coming 3-5 years will converge towards an ecosystem of interrelated capabilities that will have a massive impact on how financial services operates.
• Inherently digital – Industries are transforming with digital touchpoints throughout their workflows. Traditionally offline industries and projects are being approached through a digital lens, where automation and related capabilities are streamlining operations and enhancing the client experience. In financial services, this shift is accelerated by rising client expectations for speed and transparency, demanding the adoption of ever-stronger technology to redefine the customer journey.
• Robust architecture – AI is diffusing into applications but to scale these requires strong, well designed data architecture capable of managing and processing the massive and diverse volumes of data that AI systems require.
• Next level personalisation - AI financial assistants are set to become ubiquitous in the coming years, offering ultra-personalised financial services for the mass market and further breaking away from traditional one-size-fits-all models.
• Upskilling and reskilling talent – AI is disruptive, but its impact is also an opportunity. AI learning programs with supportive leadership means that a culture of continuous learning is possible to ensure workforces are developing and leaning into the skills of the future.
• No institution is an island – Technology is moving fast which is why we at HSBC see strategic partnerships as important to capture the potential of innovation and ensure the businesses we serve remain adaptive and can go-to-market quickly when opportunities arise.

Technology is only going in one direction: forward. If you would like to explore how these insights can be applied to your business strategy, please reach out to your dedicated HSBC representative.