Cedar on Banking

Cedar Management Consulting International

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BUSINESS

Cedar on Banking provides strategic perspectives on the business of banking in a changing global environment. The channel covers operating models, regulatory dynamics, risk, growth strategies, and transformation initiatives across retail, corporate, and wholesale banking. Each episode offers practical insights to help banks strengthen performance, adapt to disruption, and sustain long-term value.

MAR 31

Staying Operational: A BankTech Playbook for Uncertain Times

In the face of rising geopolitical risks, banking technology is experiencing unprecedented pressure. In this CedarView Podcast episode, we unlock how banks must adjust their technology strategies to maintain operations and mitigate new risks, including cyber threats & supply chain disruptions. We cover practical strategies for resilience, such as strengthening business continuity plans and securing payment infrastructure. The conversation also explores the growing importance of stress-testing systems for simultaneous disruptions and adapting fraud detection to new challenges. Banks that take action now to safeguard their operations will be in the best position to thrive in uncertain times. Tune in for insights on turning technology challenges into long-term strengths during times of disruption.

22 min
MAR 12

Navigating Uncertainties: Strategic Bank Playbook

In this episode, we explore how geopolitical tensions in West Asia are reshaping the operating environment for banks across the region. Energy shocks, trade disruptions, and rising logistics costs are already affecting liquidity, funding, and credit flows, while sectors such as shipping, aviation, retail, and real estate face immediate pressure - creating ripple effects across bank balance sheets. We unpack how stress is emerging on both sides of banking operations: asset quality is impacted by disrupted supply chains and corporate cash-flow strain, while liabilities face volatility due to mobile deposits and shifting investor sentiment. The episode concludes with a strategic playbook for banks - focusing on liquidity readiness, digital resilience, proactive risk monitoring, and stronger client engagement to help navigate uncertainty and prepare for recovery.

24 min
FEB 10

10 essentials for a successful cost reduction and process improvement program

Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) is the only approach that can deliver rapid, dramatic, and lasting performance improvements, but success depends on strategic execution. Effective BPR starts with a holistic, customer-backward view of the enterprise, focusing on value rather than isolated departmental fixes. Organizations must target “addressable” costs, eliminate low-impact processes, prioritize high-value changes, and address root causes instead of symptoms. Breaking processes into granular steps, validating assumptions with data, and balancing impact against implementation effort are critical. Change must be sequenced carefully, avoiding excessive simultaneous disruption and over-reliance on technology that automates flawed processes. Success also hinges on strong ownership through participative change management to overcome resistance and sustain improvements. Finally, redesigned processes must be continuously reviewed and adapted to changing business contexts. BPR is not a one-time fix, but an ongoing discipline to remain competitive in a dynamic marketplace.

15 min
FEB 10

4D approach to selecting the right Islamic banking system

Selecting an Islamic core banking system is more complex than choosing a conventional platform due to Sharia-specific requirements and regional variations. A structured “4D approach” helps banks identify the best fit. First, Define needs through a detailed Business Requirement Specification covering Islamic asset and liability products, profit calculation methods, Sharia rules, and core banking functions, prioritized as critical, good-to-have and nice-to-have. Second, Determine the shortlist by aligning vendor capabilities with the bank’s context—pure Islamic bank, dual conventional-Islamic model, or Islamic window—while assessing regional presence and proven references. Third, Deep-dive evaluation and commercials validate functional claims across Islamic products, AAOIFI compliance, technology architecture, scalability, and vendor strength through detailed demonstrations. Finally, Delve into contractual details, focusing on implementation capability, contractual flexibility, total cost of ownership, and senior-level commitment from the supplier. Ultimately, success depends on aligning functionality, technology, vendor credibility, and long-term partnership commitment.

17 min
FEB 10

Banks and alternative lenders - to compete or collaborate

Alternative and peer-to-peer (P2P) lending has matured into a permanent part of the financial ecosystem, with the market projected to exceed $70 billion. Growth has been strongest in SME lending, driven by digital players using advanced analytics, low-cost customer acquisition, simplified processes and AI-driven credit models. Regulatory burdens and compliance costs have further enabled non-banks to gain market share. For banks, the strategic choice is whether to compete, collaborate or co-exist. Collaboration includes partnerships where banks leverage P2P platforms’ data, underwriting and customer acquisition capabilities. Co-existence models involve white-label lending or banks purchasing portfolios of P2P loans to diversify assets. Competition sees banks building or acquiring digital lending platforms and hybrid marketplaces. With consolidation inevitable among alternative lenders, banks must either partner or build capabilities organically or through acquisitions. Adopting multi-channel digital lending, automation, AI-driven credit assessment and agile operating models will be critical. Proactive engagement, rather than resistance, will determine long-term relevance.

13 min
FEB 10

Building a Future Ready Bank in Bahrain

In this episode, we turn our focus to Bahrain and how it is positioning itself as one of the most progressive digital banking markets in the GCC. We unpack Bahrain’s economic shift away from oil toward financial services, and how this transition is reinforcing innovation across banking, regulation, and customer experience. The discussion highlights the strength of Bahrain’s banking system, where solid balance sheets, growing Islamic banking, and improving operational efficiency are creating a stable foundation for transformation. We then explore the technology themes defining the market—open banking moving from regulatory compliance to commercial opportunity, AI-driven personalisation reshaping customer engagement, and national digital identity and eKYC frameworks accelerating fully digital journeys. The episode also looks at how lending is evolving through faster approvals, SME digitisation, and closer fintech collaboration. We close with a clear takeaway: Bahrain’s “bank of the future” will be built on AI-led automation, agile delivery, open APIs, and data-driven decision-making—balancing innovation with trust, regulation, and scale.

13 min
FEB 10

Building a Future Ready Bank in India

In this episode, we explore how banking is being reshaped globally and in India as technology, regulation, and customer expectations collide. We look at why global banks are financially resilient, yet under pressure to modernise faster, and how trends like generative AI, open banking, embedded finance, and cloud-native cores are redefining scale and speed. The conversation then shifts to India’s banking story one driven by deep digital adoption, expanding financial inclusion, and a rapidly maturing fintech ecosystem. Private and public sector banks alike are showing stronger balance sheets, better risk discipline, and improving productivity, while fintechs are pushing innovation in payments, lending, and customer experience. We close by discussing what truly defines a “bank of the future”: shorter idea-to-execution cycles, AI-led automation, data-driven decision-making, and open, API-ready platforms. The message is clear banks that combine agility, technology, and customer-centric design will be best placed to lead the next phase of financial services transformation.

13 min
FEB 10

Building a Future Ready Bank in KSA

In this episode, we turn to Saudi Arabia and examine how its banking sector is evolving alongside the Kingdom’s broader economic transformation. We discuss how Vision 2030, rising non-oil growth, and strong regulatory support are accelerating the shift toward a digital-first, cash-light economy. The conversation highlights the strength of Saudi banks, which combine solid capital positions and low credit stress with rapid growth in lending and digital adoption. We explore how online banking, real-time payments, and mobile wallets are becoming mainstream, supported by major investments in digital infrastructure and cloud platforms. We also unpack the key technology themes shaping KSA banking today—open and embedded finance, fintech collaboration, SME-focused innovation, and growing use of AI to enhance customer experience, underwriting, and fraud prevention. The key takeaway is clear: future-ready banks in Saudi Arabia will win by pairing scale and stability with digital agility, AI-led personalization, and ecosystem-driven growth.

16 min

Cedar on Banking provides strategic perspectives on the business of banking in a changing global environment. The channel covers operating models, regulatory dynamics, risk, growth strategies, and transformation initiatives across retail, corporate, and wholesale banking. Each episode offers practical insights to help banks strengthen performance, adapt to disruption, and sustain long-term value.

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Cedar Management Consulting International
Years Active

2K
Episodes

36
Rating

Clean
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Cedar on Banking