International Bankers Forum
Specialist Committees
Complex interrelationships and problems require expert knowledge and a high level of commitment. Together with the specialist committees, the IBF faces up to developments in the banking and finance industry and plays an active role in shaping them. The specialist committees deal with the topics of digitalization, sustainability, regulation, payment transactions and young talent.
Digitalisation
The digitalization megatrend is one of the central issues of our modern society. With its gross value added in the billions, the information and communication sector has long since overtaken traditional industries. Established banks and stock exchanges are also seeing new competitors entering the market.
Traditional value chains in the financial market are being broken up by intelligent competition – particularly in payment transactions, lending, financing for start-ups, FinTechs, investments, and digital assets.
The IBF addresses the rapidly growing digitalized world, with its impressive financial and IT architectures, in highly regarded topical events.
Christian Rhino
Digitalization Committee, Chairman
Artificial Intelligence
AI is driving the banking and finance revolution. It’s the key to innovation and competitiveness—and a central management task. Ignoring AI today means falling behind tomorrow. Success requires a clear AI strategy—for the company and every department—to maximize productivity.
In banking, AI transforms customer relationships and business processes, from algorithmic trading and risk management to fraud detection, compliance, and personalized services. The IBF analyzes AI’s impact, shares best practices, and hosts events on this essential topic. AI isn’t everything, but without a strategy, everything is nothing.
Samira Maleki
Co-Chairwoman Artificial Intelligence
Sustainability
Sustainability is a key driver of political and economic action today. The EU’s climate policy focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with renewable energy—hydropower, wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal—playing a crucial role.
Innovative technologies and sustainable energy sources, such as hydrogen, offer great potential. The IBF Sustainability Committee monitors key developments and presents solutions at leading events.
Karsten Fuelster
Sustainability Committee, Chairman
Financial Literacy
Financial literacy is an essential prerequisite for responsible economic decision making. It enables individuals, businesses and institutions to make financial decisions on a sound basis and to better understand economic relationships. Against the backdrop of increasing economic and regulatory complexity, the promotion of financial knowledge continues to gain importance.
Under the leadership of Ibrahim Ahmiane, the International Bankers Forum follows developments in the field of financial literacy, promotes dialogue between the financial industry, policymakers, academia and educational institutions, and actively engages its members and friends in discussions on current challenges and future requirements. Its objective is to contribute to strengthening financial competence and enhancing the understanding of economic and financial matters.
Ibrahim (Ibo) Ahmiane
Financial Literacy Committee, Chairman
Regulations
The IBF leverages its neutral platform to focus on regulatory developments in the financial sector, covering the European System of Financial Supervision (ESFS), the EU Banking Union (since 2014), and the EU Capital Markets Union (since 2015).
Key topics include digitalization, Covid-19 measures, own funds and liquidity, non-performing loans, financial reporting, FinTech, RegTech, and the EU taxonomy for sustainable finance.
The IBF Committee addresses the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) in the eurozone, supporting discussions on banking regulation through the European SSM Round Table, engaging with the 113 significant banks under ECB supervision.
Lothar Jerzembek
Regulations Committee, Chairman
Payments
Payment transactions are not everything, but without them, everything is nothing. They drive national and international trade, power central banks and monetary policy, and enable commercial and investment banking.
Global non-cash payments are growing at double-digit rates, reaching billions of dollars. Yet, only 5% of global money flows fund goods and services, with most transactions unrelated to the real economy or driven by speculation.
The IBF monitors this competitive market, analyzing key innovations and engaging its members and network in the evolving landscape.
Armin Gerhardt
Payments Committee, Chairman
Governance, Risk Management & Compliance
The digitalization megatrend is one of the central issues of our modern society. With its gross value added in the billions, the information and communication sector has long since overtaken traditional industries. Established banks and stock exchanges are also seeing new competitors entering the market. Traditional value chains in the financial market are being broken up by intelligent competition – particularly in payment transactions, lending, financing for start-ups, FinTechs, investments and digital assets. The IBF addresses the rapidly growing digitalized world, with its impressive financial and IT architectures, in highly regarded topical events.
Dr. Carsten Lehr
Governance, Risk Management & Compliance Committee, Chairman
Expert Forum “People & Talent Management
Attracting, developing, and retaining top talent is key to success in the competitive banking and finance industry. However, demographic shifts, technological advances, regulations, and changing workforce expectations are reshaping traditional HR strategies.
To stay innovative and competitive, effective HR management is essential. The IBF hosts practical events on people management, new work, and the impact of climate change, helping members adapt and thrive in a dynamic environment.
Dirk Weigel
Expert Forum “People & Talent Management Committee, Chairman
Promotion of Young Talent
The second generation of IBF members is already here! The IBF offers attractive opportunities to pursue professional and academic goals. IBF events are popular with students and young professionals in banks, stock exchanges, financial service providers, and other companies who want to further their professional development, make important contacts, and build a valuable network at an early stage.
Here too, the IBF brings its motto “Banking is people, and we connect the generations” to life.
Samira Maleki
IBF Next Committee, Chairwoman
SMEs & Transformation
German SMEs are the foundation of the economy and at the same time facing a profound transformation. Digitalisation, new regulatory requirements, geopolitical developments and growing pressure to innovate are fundamentally reshaping the economic landscape. To manage this transition successfully, financial stability, access to capital and future-oriented financing models are essential. Banks and financial institutions play a key role in strengthening the resilience, competitiveness and long-term adaptability of businesses. The “SMEs and Transformation” Committee of the International Bankers Forum e.V. focuses on the key challenges and opportunities arising from this transformation and, through concrete strategies, solutions and forward-looking impulses for a strong economic future of the SME sector.
Stefan Dierks
Chairman of SME's & Transformation
IBF India Chapter
The International Bankers Forum’s India Chapter comes at the right moment. India is no longer just an emerging market on the horizon — it is a dynamic economy reshaping global trade and investment flows, and European businesses know it. What they often lack is the right entry point: trusted relationships, ground-level understanding of India’s regulatory environment, and genuine connections with Indian institutions and decision-makers. That is precisely the gap this chapter is designed to fill.
The IBF India Chapter aims to be that entry point — not just another networking forum, but a working platform where European and Indian financial and business leaders can exchange real insights, build meaningful partnerships, and develop the kind of long-term relationships that actually move the needle on cross-border business. Whether it is navigating India’s evolving banking and business landscape, identifying investment opportunities, or understanding the cultural and commercial dynamics that shape how business gets done on the ground, the chapter brings those conversations into one place.
At its core, this is about building bridges that last — connecting European businesses with the right people, the right knowledge, and the right opportunities in one of the world’s most consequential economies. For those looking to engage seriously with India, the IBF India Chapter is where that journey begins.
Balkrishna Dubey
Chairman of India Chapter