SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

AI challenges Swedish major banks

Swedish major banks may be on the verge of losing their grip on the banking market in Sweden in the wave of AI investments and fintech challenges, warns Ronit Ghose, head of analysis at American Citi. Sweden no longer looks as favorable for banks to operate in as it was 10-20 years ago.

» Updated: 07 October 2024, 23:34

» Published: 26 August 2024

AI challenges Swedish major banks
Photo: Janerik Henriksson/TT

Major investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and other technological leaps – such as blockchain technology – are about to redraw the financial world map. The four major Swedish banks' tight grip on payments, loans, and savings is being challenged, according to Ronit Ghose, global head of the American bank Citibank's think tank Future of Finance.

It's going to change. There will be new names, he says to TT.

The strength and endurance of different banks vary over time, and the financial products banks sell also change.

Worse for Swedish major banks

Large fintech companies like Stripe and Paypal are challenging globally. So is the Stockholm-based "buy-now-pay-later" specialist Klarna.

Klarna, ahead of what is expected to be a stock exchange listing in early 2025, is increasingly taking on the shape of a bank.

At the same time, tech giants like Alibaba, Apple, Google, and Samsung are swallowing up an increasingly large share of the distribution of financial services globally – despite not having to worry about the heavily regulated production of these services.

Ghose believes that Swedish banks are in a worse position than they were in previous major leaps in development. On the way from bank branches to internet banking, Nordic banks were in the lead. Not least the banks in Sweden, which was a more computerized country than any other. And when everything moved into mobile phones, Sweden was also in the forefront with its widespread mobile usage.

"A challenge"

But now, successful British fintech initiatives – such as Revolut and Monzo – have given British banks a significant boost when it comes to apps and technical development. Something that has not been seen to the same extent in Sweden.

When I look for the most interesting development in finance today, it's no surprise that I find it in other countries in the world than Sweden.

And when it comes to banks' investments in AI and new technology, banks in the US, China, and Southeast Asia are better off.

Simply due to the size of the budgets in the US. And when it comes to Asia – a different environment.

It is simultaneously primarily in China and the US that investments, research, and development are being made.

It will be a challenge for Swedish banks – or European banks in general – over the next ten years.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Took a tough stance on crypto companies - resigns
1 MIN READ

Took a tough stance on crypto companies - resigns

Ingvar Carlsson on PG: "A very loyal friend"
2 MIN READ

Ingvar Carlsson on PG: "A very loyal friend"

No Wage Guarantee in American Process
1 MIN READ

No Wage Guarantee in American Process

He became "PG" to the entire Swedish people
3 MIN READ

He became "PG" to the entire Swedish people

PG Gyllenhammar has died: "meant a lot"
1 MIN READ

PG Gyllenhammar has died: "meant a lot"

Unstable US stock market ends on a plus
1 MIN READ

Unstable US stock market ends on a plus

Temu's owner shows its hand
1 MIN READ

Temu's owner shows its hand

Nvidia rises in pre-trading on Wall Street
1 MIN READ

Nvidia rises in pre-trading on Wall Street

Reconstruction in the USA to save Northvolt
3 MIN READ

Reconstruction in the USA to save Northvolt

Northvolt: Negotiations are still ongoing
3 MIN READ

Northvolt: Negotiations are still ongoing

Higher Compensation for Job Interviews in Another Location
1 MIN READ

Higher Compensation for Job Interviews in Another Location

Vehicle Giant Warns of Challenges in 2025
1 MIN READ

Vehicle Giant Warns of Challenges in 2025

Unchanged interest rate in Turkey
1 MIN READ

Unchanged interest rate in Turkey

Trump anxiety in the EU over US tariffs
3 MIN READ

Trump anxiety in the EU over US tariffs

Weak demand for scrapping premium
1 MIN READ

Weak demand for scrapping premium

E-fuel company takes in half a billion
1 MIN READ

E-fuel company takes in half a billion

New Report Boost for AI Giant Nvidia's Share
2 MIN READ

New Report Boost for AI Giant Nvidia's Share

Stockholm Stock Exchange Turned Upwards
1 MIN READ

Stockholm Stock Exchange Turned Upwards

Bitcoin closer to the dream limit
1 MIN READ

Bitcoin closer to the dream limit

Higher fee to stop burning of plastic
2 MIN READ

Higher fee to stop burning of plastic