B-Hive strives to boost collaboration between banks and fintechs

The rise of potential fintech disruptors and the challenge for incumbent banks of digitalizing their businesses and staying abreast of these innovators – while still keeping their ageing operating systems running – has changed the job of chief technology officers.

It comes with higher pressure and more scrutiny, but greater excitement.

“There are two jobs in banking that I see as particularly interesting,” says Fabian Vandenreydt, executive chairman of B-Hive, a Brussels-based member association that promotes cooperation between large incumbent insurance companies and banks ­– such as ING, BNP Paribas, KBC ­­– and fintechs.