The Banking Scene Brussels 2026

On 28 May 2026, Tour & Taxis in Brussels will once again become the centre of gravity for European banking. The Banking Scene Conference returns as Belgium's largest banking event, and I am proud to be part of it as a connector, bringing the FinanceX community closer to the conversations that are reshaping financial services.

This year's theme, Rethinking Relevance, captures exactly why this conference matters. Relevance in banking is no longer something institutions can take for granted. It must be earned, defended and continuously redefined in the face of technological acceleration, geopolitical uncertainty, regulatory pressure and rising customer expectations.

A conference built for substance, not surface

What sets this event apart is its commitment to depth. More than 450 senior professionals will gather across three dedicated content tracks: Banking, Payments, and Fraud and Compliance. Each track runs alongside exhibition booths and a central networking area, so the exchange of ideas continues well beyond the stage.

The agenda promises substantive discussions on the issues that will define the next chapter of our industry:

The integration of AI and next-generation technologies in core banking. Behavioural science as a driver of customer relevance and trust. AML, fraud and compliance in a digital-first landscape. Payments innovation and infrastructure resilience. The evolving role of banks within a fragmented geopolitical reality.

These are not isolated trends. They are systemic questions, and they deserve systemic answers.

A speaker line-up that brings the right voices to the table

The strength of any conference lies in the people who take the stage. This year's roster brings together regulators, C-level executives, innovation leaders and independent voices from across Europe and beyond.

Among the featured speakers are Leen Van den Neste, Chair of the Management Committee at vdk Bank; Céline Pfister, CEO of Bolero; Oliver Lauer, Chief Digital Officer at DSGV; Jonathan Neubourg, Chief Digital, Data and AI Officer at Belfius; and Janaina Soares, Financial Sector Specialist at the Central Bank of Brazil.

The wider line-up is equally impressive, with contributions from Tim Hermans (National Bank of Belgium), Alessandro Giovannini (European Central Bank), Valérie Hoess (JPMorganChase), Theodora Lau (Unconventional Ventures), Adam Preis (PING Identity), Trixi Tobin (SWIFT), Gijs Boudewijn (EPC), Emmanuel Legras (Nickel), David-Jan Janse (Surepay), Joe Wilson (bunq), Marie-France De Pover (KBC Group), Raf De Kimpe (FinTech Belgium) and many others.

Who will be in the room

Expect to meet C-level executives, Chief Strategy Officers, Chief Digital Officers, Chief Risk and Compliance Officers, heads of innovation, payments leaders, fraud and compliance specialists, regulators and fintech founders. In short, the people who are not just observing change but driving it.

Join us in Brussels!