Juncker and Keller-Sutter to address Zurich finance summit as banks face AI and regulation shake-up

Former European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker will speak on Europe’s crises and opportunities, while Swiss finance minister Karin Keller-Sutter will discuss regulation as a competitive advantage as the industry weighs digital change, competition and smarter rules

Jean-Claude Juncker and Karin Keller-Sutter will headline a major finance summit as Switzerland’s financial industry looks to turn artificial intelligence, digital competition, changing customer expectations and smarter regulation into new opportunities.

The former European Commission president will speak on Europe between crises and opportunities, while the Swiss federal councillor and finance minister will discuss regulation as a competitive advantage for Switzerland’s financial centre.

They will appear at the fourth edition of Finance Forum Zurich, which takes place at the Kongresshaus Zurich on Tuesday, 22 September 2026.

The event is expected to draw several hundred financial services professionals from across the industry, with banks, technology firms, advisers and policymakers assessing how Switzerland’s financial centre should respond to change while preserving stability and competitiveness.

The conference will open with remarks from Carmen Walker Späh, Zurich’s head of economic affairs, before speakers and panel guests examine current opportunities and challenges facing the Swiss financial centre from a range of perspectives.

Juncker, who led the European Commission during the Brexit years and served as Luxembourg’s prime minister for almost two decades, is expected to examine how Europe’s financial and political institutions can respond to crisis, economic pressure and global competition.

Keller-Sutter, Switzerland’s finance minister, meanwhile, will discuss the future of the country’s financial centre, with a focus on regulation, stability and competitiveness at national and international level.

Her fireside chat is expected to examine how intelligent regulation could create opportunities for Switzerland.

Digital transformation will be a central theme, with Hendrik Lang, chief executive of banking software company Finnova, discussing the shift to new technology at the heart of banking. Finnova is one of Switzerland’s leading providers of core banking software.

Artificial intelligence in finance will be addressed by Thomas Wüst, founder and chief executive of ti&m. The Swiss IT company develops digital systems for banks, insurers and public authorities.

Wüst is expected to use practical examples to show how AI can improve processes and support new business models in financial services.

A senior industry panel will also examine how banking is being reshaped by new technologies, digital competitors and changing customer expectations.

Participants will include Franco Polloni, who oversees EFG Bank’s business in Switzerland and Italy, and Urs Monstein, chief executive of VP Bank. The discussion will draw on Polloni’s experience in international private banking and Monstein’s work leading VP Bank’s strategic development and digital transformation.

Workshops will cover digitalisation, regulation and artificial intelligence, while the event will conclude with an apéro riche for personal exchange and networking.

The forum is held under the patronage of the Department of Economic Affairs of the Canton of Zurich. ti&m is the presenting partner, with EFG Bank, Finnova and Grant Thornton Schweiz/Liechtenstein as main partners.

Other partners include ASC Technologies, ERI, SIX, ZEB and Zürcher Kantonalbank. The University of Zurich and the University of Liechtenstein are knowledge partners.

READ MORE: Christian Lindner to headline Vaduz finance forum as Liechtenstein banks confront market and geopolitical strain. With investor nerves, geopolitical shocks and a growing fight for skilled staff reshaping European finance, this year’s Vaduz gathering will ask how the Liechtenstein-Swiss financial centre stays competitive.

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_{Main image: Senior political, banking and technology figures will address Finance Forum Zurich 2026 as Switzerland’s financial sector weighs artificial intelligence, digital change and regulation. Credit: Finance Forum Zurich}