The Connector Podcast - DFS Digital Finance Summit - Isabel Ecosystem: 30 Years of Fintech Innovation

The Connector.

Three decades of financial innovation have positioned Isabel as a cornerstone of Belgium's banking landscape. Starting as a multi-banking payment platform in 1995, this joint venture of Belgium's four major banks has evolved into something far more ambitious – creating financial ecosystems that connect institutions, businesses, and technology providers.
Sylvie van der Velde, who leads business development at Isabel, reveals how their latest platform "Kube" is transforming corporate data exchange. With 300,000 companies already in the system, Kube is a digital passport allowing banks to share verified business information, eliminating redundant KYB processes. "When you're a client at two banks, you don't need to do the KYC process twice," Sylvie explains. This invisible benefit streamlines verification while maintaining security.
What's particularly fascinating is Isabel's pragmatic approach to technology. Though Kube began as a blockchain experiment during the technology's peak hype around 2018, the team ultimately pivoted away from it. "We turned it around," Sylvie notes. "Our objective is having a better client experience - which technology do we need?" This refreshing focus on outcomes rather than trending technologies demonstrates the maturity that comes with 30 years in the industry.
Looking ahead, Isabel plans to expand Kube beyond identity verification to include ESG data, allowing voluntary SMEs to showcase their sustainability credentials. This will provide businesses with competitive advantages in tenders and recruitment, as younger talent increasingly prioritizes employer values. With interest from Luxembourg and the Netherlands, Kube's potential extends beyond Belgium's borders.
Visit Isabel's website to learn more about their community events and webinars. There, you can connect with others and explore how their ecosystem approach might benefit your business. After three decades of innovation, Isabel continues to prove that sometimes the most valuable financial solutions come not from disruption but from thoughtful collaboration.

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Cheers
Koen Vanderhoydonk
[email protected]
#FinTech #RegTech #Scaleup #WealthTech

Chapters

1. Welcome to The Connector Podcast (00:00:00)

2. Introduction to Isabel's 30-Year Journey (00:00:37)

3. The Cube Platform Explained (00:02:42)

4. Bank Collaboration Beyond Belgium's Big Four (00:04:23)

5. From Blockchain Hype to Practical Solution (00:06:51)

6. ESG Reporting for Voluntary SMEs (00:09:01)

7. Building Sustainable Ecosystems for Innovation (00:11:01)

8. Connecting Through Community Events (00:13:15)

9. Closing and Next Steps (00:14:58)