Couchonomics with Arjun · 2026-06-23 · 55 min
Is digital banking really about technology anymore? It is becoming a battle for customer relationships, trust, data, and who owns the financial experience. In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Raheel Ahmed, Group CEO of RAKBANK, returns to discuss open finance, AI, stablecoins, SME banking, regulation, and the future of financial services in the UAE. Raheel explains why open finance is being built for customers rather than banks, why products and pricing are becoming increasingly commoditized, and how financial institutions must rethink where they create value in a more transparent and competitive market. The conversation explores how AI is already being deployed inside banks, the opportunities around stablecoins and tokenization, the future of SME financing, and why customer relationships may become the most important asset banks have. From digital transformation and regulation to competition and emerging technologies, this episode examines how banking is evolving and what it will take to stay relevant in the years ahead.
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