Teaching FinTech at EPFL

This new program allows finance professionals to gain a deeper understanding of the latest technologies and tools that are transforming the financial industry and to stay abreast of the latest trends and innovations.

Understanding how to leverage technology in your industry is essential to remain competitive in a changing environment. The new program aims to fluidify the collaboration between the business and IT and help to pinpoint the use cases relevant to the banking sector.

Why FinTech at EPFL?

The Swiss financial sector needs to constantly modernize and adapt to technological advancements, particularly in response to the emergence of FinTech companies. EPFL’s innovative FinTech program is specifically tailored to cater to this need, equipping participants with the essential technical knowledge and tools to execute a successful digital strategy. Grasping concepts such as AI, Blockchain, Open Banking, and client-centric product management is imperative for professionals across various roles.

EPFL recognizes the strategic significance of fostering society's comprehension and adoption of FinTech possibilities. Boasting a thriving and dynamic local ecosystem of startups, tech firms, and financial service providers, EPFL is optimally positioned to address this demand.

The FinTech program

The program offers a comprehensive overview of different digital technologies that are impacting financial services, including blockchain/distributed ledger technologies, machine learning, and cloud computing. It familiarizes participants with methodologies and the mindset needed to make the best use of new technologies in their organization.

What is unique about our program is that it combines a thorough overview of the new technologies that everybody is talking about with hands-on discussion of the methodologies that financial institutions can use to put these technologies to best use.

The course is tailored to suit a business-oriented audience, featuring engaging interactions with world-class EPFL professors and seasoned industry entrepreneurs. These experts provide insights into how cutting-edge technologies have been employed by banks and FinTechs, shedding light on crucial factors to consider, such as security aspects and relevant regulations.

Understanding technology is just one facet of adapting to the new environment, however, and the program also encompasses other elements, including developing the appropriate mindset and effectively collaborating with technology experts, whether internal or external. The program offers valuable insights into how modern IT companies have accelerated growth by using radically different working methods than those traditionally used by banks. As a result, the program enables participants to think differently about client needs and become an ambassador of change within their organization.

I teach in the FinTech course to share my experience on how to build a successful bank out of a startup, with a particular focus on the practical use of the blockchain technology in the banking environment, and what is expected from a bank in order to make financial innovation accessible to its clients

For whom?

The program caters to mid-level and senior managers with minimal technical expertise, aiming to equip them with an understanding of how emerging technologies can elevate their organization. The goal is not to transform participants into programmers, but to empower them to spearhead change within their company. Upon completion, participants emerge with a renewed outlook on collaborating with FinTechs and heightened confidence in tackling digital transformation initiatives.

This FinTech course is unique in its kind. To my knowledge, there is no other course on the European market that can be compared to this one in terms of content and approach.