The Role of Cards in The Future of Payments

Description

Instant payments, real-time account-to-account solutions, digital wallets, and new forms of digital money are moving rapidly from concept to production. In this environment, cards increasingly risk becoming an invisible utility in the background or, in the worst case, a stranded legacy product. For decades, cards have been the workhorse of everyday commerce and a reliable profit engine for banks. That model is now under pressure as regulators challenge fees, merchants push for cheaper rails, and customers care less and less about what sits behind the tap or click.

This executive round table, held in partnership with FIS, brings together a small group of senior banking leaders to address a simple but uncomfortable question: what is the future of cards in the evolving payments ecosystem? The discussion is designed to challenge how card strategies can remain relevant in a world shaped by instant payments, wallets, and alternative payment methods. Participants will openly confront strategic risks such as disintermediation by new schemes, margin pressure, regulatory constraints, and changing customer behaviour. The format encourages candid exchange among peers from leading banks and payment companies in an informal, high-level setting under the Chatham House Rule, with participation strictly limited to ensure depth and interaction.

The session is structured as a moderated executive round table over dinner and takes place at De Warande, Rue Zinner 1, 1000 Brussels, on February 12 from 18:30 to 22:00. The working language is English. The group size of approximately ten to fourteen senior participants is intentionally small to enable a genuine dialogue. De Warande provides a private and comfortable environment that supports open discussion as well as networking before and after the formal conversation.

This is an invitation-only event, with seats reserved for Benelux-based executives and decision-makers responsible for cards, payments, strategy, and innovation. Executives who wish to participate or nominate a colleague can express interest to explore whether the format and audience are the right fit.