The protagonists of Italian and international banking meet next time 6 October at Superstudio Più in Milanon the occasion of 19th edition of Forum Bancathe iKN Italy event dedicated to the innovation and transformation of the banking sector.
Beyond 900 participants, more than 160 speakers, 200 banking institutions and 120 tech providers they are expected for a day of discussion that will bring together representatives of the main banking groups, private banks, fintechs and technology companies. At the centre, the transformations that are redesigning the sector: fromArtificial Intelligence in Wealth Managementfrom the digitalisation of services to cybersecurity, up to new customer relationship models and the evolution of decision-making processes.
AI and innovation: on stage who is leading the transformation of banks
There will be one of the protagonists of the discussion on Artificial Intelligence Marco Ditta, Head of Data & Artificial Intelligence at Intesa Sanpaolowhich will bring the point of view of one of the largest Italian banking groups on the growing role of AI in processes and decisions.
Next to him, Adolfo Pellegrino, Chief Innovation Officer of Banco BPM GroupAnd Andrea Tessera, Managing Director, Digital Banking Department of Banca Sellawill contribute to the debate on how innovation, technologies and new digital models are transforming banking strategies and services. The three managers will be among the protagonists of the opening plenary dedicated to the new balances between AI, Digital Euro, Wealth Management and digital identity.
The topic of AI will also be addressed through concrete applications. Vittorio Tartarini, Customer Analytics & AI Leader – Commercial Banking at Credito Emilianowill bring the experience of artificial intelligence applied to knowledge and relationships with the customer, while Andrea Cirillo, Head of Audit Data and Advanced Analytics at Intesa Sanpaolowill contribute to the comparison on the use of data and advanced analytics in audit and control processes.
A further study will be dedicated to the application of artificial intelligence in the management of non-performing loans (NPL). Davide Micheli, Head of the AI Office – Technical Factory of Banco Desio, will contribute to the discussion on the opportunities offered by AI and digitalisation to improve credit management, without neglecting the new risks that these technologies can entail.
Artificial intelligence will also be the protagonist of the discussion on the evolution of the Customer Experience and new loyalty strategies. Gianluca MaruzzellaCEO and co-founder of indigo.aiAnd Giuseppe Mauro ScarpatiSenior Account Executive – Sales Lead for Customer Intelligence, Marketing Decisioning & AI by SASwill participate in the round table dedicated to the role of AI in the personalization of offers and in the ability of banks to anticipate customer needs. Also at the center of the debate is the integration between physical and digital channels and the role of new technologies in data protection and in building a lasting relationship of trust with customers.
Wealth Management: the protagonists of the management of large assets
One of the main innovations of the 2026 edition is the space dedicated to Wealth Managementwhich this year becomes one of the central strands of Forum Banca, with a dedicated thematic stage and, for the first time, a specific Banking Award category.
Some of the main players in the sector will discuss the evolution of asset management: Alberto Lionello Martini, Head of Wealth Management at Banca Mediolanum; Renato Miraglia, Head of Wealth Management & Private Banking – Italy at UniCredit; Gianluca Serafini, Co-General Manager of Fideuram – Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking.
At the center of the debate, the evolution of the relationship with private customers, the growing role of AI as support for the banker, hybrid digital models and the ability to combine personalisation, technology and the value of consultancy.
A look beyond the Italian borders
Forum Banca 2026 will also bring international experiences to Milan, with the aim of comparing the Italian market with models, technologies and approaches developed in other countries.
From the Swiss, Lorenzo D’Ambrosi, Regional Information Security Officer of Rothschild & Co Bank AGwill bring its contribution to the topics of cybersecurity and resilience; fromAzerbaijan, Rukhsara Babayeva, CX Analytic and Research Chapter Lead at Bir Ecosystemwill offer an international perspective on the evolution of customer experience and the use of data in the era of predictive AI.
On the Banking Innovation Internshipthe comparison will also expand to the experiences of European players who are applying AI and digital platforms to new areas of banking. Alexandre Harkous, Founder & CEO of the French AirFundwill intervene on digital access to private markets; Kelly Kirsch, Director General ESG Europe at ESG.AIon the use of AI in ESG reporting and decision-making processes; Micaela Escribano Bernard, Head of Business Development Italy at Meeloon the application of artificial intelligence to KYC and KYB processes, including speed, compliance and fraud prevention.
Innovation is lived: new experiences and technologies at Forum Banca
The 2026 edition will also offer participants new opportunities to experience innovation firsthand. Among the new features, the VR Arenaa space dedicated to virtual reality, and the TimeMachinean interactive experience that will invite participants to share their own predictions on the future of bankingto be listened to again on the occasion of Forum Banca 2027.
Technological innovation will also be the protagonist through the expansion of the agenda dedicated to Digital Euro, Digital Identity and Quantum. To complete the program, i CIO Hub, CISO Hub and CXO Hub they will offer opportunities for direct discussion between professionals who share challenges and responsibilities, encouraging the exchange of experiences and skills.
Over 160 voices to tell the story of the changing bank
Alongside the protagonists mentioned, Forum Banca will bring together throughout the day over 160 national and international speakerscalled to discuss the various areas that are transforming retail and private banking: AI & Automation, Wealth Management, Customer Experience, Cybersecurity, Operations, Payments, Digital Identity, Compliance & Risk, ESG and innovation.
A program that aims to compare strategies, experiences and concrete cases to understand how banks can govern a transformation in which technology and human decision-making are increasingly closely connected.