FinTech BoostUP magazine interview: The women shaping fintech’s future

This article was originally published in the Autumn 2025 edition of FinTech BoostUP Magazine.

The women shaping fintech’s future

by Anna Koritz, Global Head of Transaction Banking at SAP Fioneer.

FB: What inspired your career path into transaction banking, and how has your journey shaped your leadership style?

AK: I started my journey into Transaction Banking as a Management Consultant with EY in Sweden, conducting cash management studies for large Nordic multinationals. I really enjoyed how tangible the benefits of good cash management practices are.

When I later joined RBS/NatWest to lead their international cash management team, it felt like a natural transition, allowing me to build directly on my previous experience with corporates and banks.

Now at SAP Fioneer, I continue to leverage that tangible experience to help banks deliver leading-edge cash management solutions to their banking customers on a global scale. What drew me to SAP Fioneer was its unique position in the market as an independent company carved out of SAP, combining the credibility of proven solutions with the agility to innovate. It’s a rare opportunity to be part of something that’s both grounded in decades of expertise and driven by a fresh, entrepreneurial spirit.

FB: How do you see women’s representation evolving in fintech and financial services, and what still needs to change?

AK: We’re going in the right direction, but there’s still a long way to go, especially on the technology side.

We need more senior female role models in tech, not just to inspire young, talented women entering the field but also to help senior leadership teams across the Fintech industry understand the opportunity diversity brings.

There’s plenty of evidence that diverse teams are more effective. Our industry still has untapped, high-value potential to unlock in this regard.

FB: In a rapidly transforming landscape – with AI, digital assets and real-time payments – what excites you most about the future of transaction banking?

AK: It’s really rewarding to work in an industry that keeps evolving – and currently at such a pace that it is hard to keep up! There’s a constant stream of new thought leadership being published and emerging new use cases to explore. For that reason, I think it is important for banks to look at highly configurable tech solutions. That way, you can respond to customer needs that may not even be on your radar today.

FB: Sibos 2025 brings together global leaders to discuss the future of finance. What themes or trends from Sibos do you think will shape transaction banking over the next decade?

AK: Obviously, AI is highly significant, and we are now definitely turning the corner from hype to tangible implementations. At SAP Fioneer, we are busy embedding AI technology within our applications.

I believe digital currencies will also be a big topic at Sibos 2025, and I look forward to engaging with the community to help build a clearer view of where this conversation will lead. At the moment, we are drifting toward potentially sub-optimal fragmentation, and this will be another interesting are to watch.

FB: How is SAP Fioneer positioning itself in light of the discussions at Sibos around innovation, regulation and customer trust?

AK: These are precisely the themes that define SAP Fioneer. Our solutions stand out for their robustness, shaped by our deep SAP heritage and the expertise of our financial services experts with decades of experience. Simultaneously, we are committed to evolving through co-innovation with our customers to meet their needs for regulatory compliance and customer satisfaction. “Rock solid technology, bold creativity” is our tagline, and that expresses this well.

FB: What are some of the biggest challenges women in fintech face today, and how can industry leaders help break those barriers?

AK: We lack role models, and this negatively impacts subliminal expectations. Leaders in our industry must invest in female talent. Mentoring and training opportunities are valuable, but what will truly build the talent pool is to trust women with the big jobs.

Place trust in women – give them opportunities – and I am confident we will find they deliver. This will provide you with the value of their absolute contribution, as well as the additional value created by diverse teams.

FB: What advice would you share with young women aspiring to leadership roles in fintech and banking?

AK: Go for it! You will have fun while adding value to society. Fintech and banks are an essential part of society. See the bigger picture – take pride in playing your part.