As the digital payments landscape continues to evolve and transform, the Nordic payments ecosystem emerges as one of the most advanced and forward-thinking systems on the global stage. This position will be further highlighted at the upcoming NextGen Nordics 2025 event, which features an impressive lineup of the first 10 speakers who will share their invaluable expertise and insights on the future of this dynamic industry. Scheduled to be held at Münchenbryggeriet in Stockholm, Sweden, on April 29, 2025, the event represents a concerted effort to explore innovative solutions and set benchmarks for the global payments ecosystem.
The confirmed speakers, holding influential positions across critical sectors such as banking, fintech, regulatory bodies, and payment service providers, will address a variety of pressing topics. These areas of interest range from mobile payments and digital currencies to advanced fraud prevention techniques and the integration of emerging technologies. Their collective insights promise to ensure that the Nordic region continues to lead in the development of cutting-edge and secure payment solutions. The gathering of such distinguished leaders underlines the Nordic countries’ commitment to staying at the forefront of payment innovation.
Leading Voices in Payment Innovation
Central to the dialogue on Nordic payments innovation is Camilla Akerman, the Secretary General of the Nordic Payment Council. Akerman’s role involves coordinating and advocating for harmonized payment systems across the Nordic countries, an endeavor that requires an astute understanding of policy, regulation, and collaboration. Her insights are invaluable for promoting a consistent and unified approach to payment solutions, ensuring that innovation thrives under a framework that encompasses all Nordic nations. Akerman’s leadership is crucial in maintaining the Nordic region’s position at the forefront of global payment advancements.
Martin Georgzen, the Chief Commercial Officer at Bankgirot, is another pivotal figure in this discourse. He is set to delve into the intricacies of Swedish payment methods and trends in interbank clearing and settlement systems. Georgzen’s role at Bankgirot, one of Sweden’s leading clearing houses, positions him as an authority on the future of payments in Sweden and potentially on a larger scale. By elucidating the complexities of national payment systems and their crossover to international scenarios, Georgzen provides a comprehensive understanding of the transitions in the payments landscape.
Digital-First Solutions and Consumer Experience
In the rapidly evolving realm of consumer payment solutions, Sarah Hager, the Chief Commercial Officer at Enable Banking, focuses on implementing seamless, digital-first strategies that significantly enhance customer experiences. Hager’s work on embedding fintech services into traditional banking models offers invaluable insights into future trends that prioritize consumer convenience and efficiency. Her approach emphasizes the importance of creating a frictionless payment experience, which is vital for ensuring high levels of user satisfaction and loyalty in a digital-first world.
Perttu Kroger, serving as the General Manager in Finland for Vipps MobilePay, will discuss the transformative impact that mobile payments are having across the Nordic market. His experience managing a cross-border payment platform provides him with unique perspectives on how consumer behaviors are evolving in response to advancing mobile payment technologies. By examining the trends in mobile payments and the broader implications of these developments, Kroger’s insights will be crucial for understanding the future of financial technology in the Nordics.
Ensuring Payment Security and Trust
Security and trust are paramount in the payments industry, and Paulina Kudlacik’s work on the Confirmation of Payee scheme at the Nordic Payment Council addresses these critical aspects. Kudlacik’s efforts in preventing fraud and errors by verifying payee identities before money transfers are pivotal for maintaining the integrity of financial transactions. By emphasizing the importance of secure and trustworthy payment methods, Kudlacik contributes to the overall confidence in the digital payments ecosystem, which is essential for its continued growth and innovation.
Marilin Pikaro, the Director of Innovation, Conduct, and Consumers at the European Banking Authority, brings a regulatory and consumer-focused perspective to the dialogue. Pikaro’s expertise ensures that the innovations in payments don’t outpace the stringent regulatory standards needed to protect consumers. Her insights balance the drive for innovation with the necessity for robust regulatory compliance, ensuring that the Nordic payments ecosystem does not compromise on security while striving toward cutting-edge solutions.
Embracing Technological Advancements
Advancements in technology are a focal point of the NextGen Nordics 2025 event, with Anders Olofsson from TietoEvry Banking offering his expertise on cloud-based financial services and digital banking transformations. Olofsson’s focus on adopting new technologies and open banking solutions is key to understanding how the future landscape of banking will evolve. His perspectives are invaluable for identifying the challenges and opportunities presented by technological integration, highlighting how banks can leverage these innovations to enhance their service offerings.
Ville Sointu, the Chief Strategist of Digital Currencies at Nordea, will provide an in-depth analysis of how digital currencies are poised to revolutionize payment systems. Sointu’s knowledge of blockchain technology and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) is essential for exploring the potential new realms of financial technology. By examining the impact of digital currencies on traditional banking systems and broader financial ecosystems, Sointu’s insights will be critical for understanding the transformative possibilities that lie ahead in the field of digital payments.
Strategic and Commercial Perspectives
Strategic and commercial perspectives on payments are integral to understanding the complete picture of the industry’s future. Ylva Palmqvist, the Commercial Lead in Payments at Danske Bank, drives payment strategies across multiple Nordic markets by combining her strategic and commercial insights. Palmqvist’s expertise in instant payments and digital currencies ensures that a comprehensive understanding of market integration and future trends is achieved, making her a key voice in the discussion on the integration of payment systems.
Emmie Silen, a Product Manager at SEB, focuses on digital product development and financial services innovation. Silen’s role involves translating consumer needs into actionable payment solutions, underscoring the rapid digitization of banking services. Her work ensures that consumer preferences remain at the forefront of technological advancements, providing insights into how banks can stay competitive by continuously innovating their service offerings in response to evolving market demands.
The Path Forward for Nordic Payments
As digital payments continue to evolve, the Nordic payments ecosystem stands out as one of the most forward-thinking globally. This will be showcased at the NextGen Nordics 2025 event, which will feature the first 10 speakers who will share their expertise on the industry’s future. The event, scheduled for April 29, 2025, at Münchenbryggeriet in Stockholm, Sweden, aims to explore innovative solutions and set benchmarks for the global payments industry.
Notable speakers from sectors such as banking, fintech, regulatory bodies, and payment service providers will address various critical topics. Discussions will range from mobile payments and digital currencies to fraud prevention techniques and the integration of emerging technologies. Their insights will solidify the Nordic region’s leadership in developing secure and cutting-edge payment solutions. The convergence of these distinguished leaders highlights the Nordics’ dedication to remaining at the forefront of payment innovation. This collaborative effort will ensure the region continues to lead the way in payment advancements.
