Banking in an Uncertain World
Join Professor John Wilson, Head of the Department of Finance and Director of the Centre for Responsible Banking & Finance at the University of St Andrews, and John Last, Group Head of Leadership at HSBC and Chair of the Chartered Banker Institute, for a live discussion exploring whether the biggest developments in banking today represent lasting structural shifts or simply short-term noise.
This thought-provoking webinar will examine the themes shaping the future of banking, including technological innovation, regulatory change, climate-related financial risks, geopolitical uncertainty and demographic change.
Members will have the opportunity to hear expert perspectives on the forces transforming the banking landscape and what they mean for banks, society and banking professionals. Drawing on examples such as artificial intelligence, cyber risk, digital bank runs, climate-related financial risks and geopolitical fragmentation , the discussion will explore how the competitive environment is evolving and why resilience and trust remain central to the sector's success.
The session will also consider how banking may continue to adapt over the next decade, focusing on the challenges and opportunities presented by an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
Thursday, 1 October
10:00 am (BST)
John Wilson
John Wilson is Head of the Department of Finance and Director of the Centre for Responsible Banking & Finance at the University of St Andrews. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS) and Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Banker Institute. His research focuses on financial institutions in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. He has published 100 journal articles and authored numerous books, including: European Banking: Efficiency, Technology and Growth; and Banking: A Very Short Introduction. He also co-edited four editions of the Oxford Handbook of Banking. John serves as Editor at Journal of Business Finance and Accounting and Associate Editor to the Journal of Money Credit and Banking, Journal of Financial Stability, British Accounting Review, European Journal of Finance, International Review of Financial Analysis and Finance Research Letters. He also serves on the editorial board of a number of journals including the Journal of Financial Economic Policy and the Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance. He has guest edited ten journal special issues for outlets including Journal of Banking & Finance, Journal of Corporate Finance, Journal of Economic Behaviour & Organization, British Accounting Review, European Journal of Finance and Public Money & Management.
John Last
With over 38 years of experience in financial services, John Last has dedicated his career to driving organizational excellence and shaping leadership cultures across global markets. Throughout his tenure, he has held senior executive positions at some of the world’s most prominent financial institutions, including Coutts & Co, NatWest, the Royal Bank of Scotland, and HSBC. Currently serving as the Group Head of Leadership at HSBC, John focuses on cultivating high-performance environments and developing the next generation of strategic leaders for an AI era. His approach blends deep industry expertise with a commitment to continuous learning and evidence-based organizational development. Beyond his corporate responsibilities, John is deeply engaged in the professional advancement of the industry. He currently serves as the Chair of the Chartered Banker Institute. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (FCIPD), a Fellow and Chartered Banker (FCBI), and a Chartered Manager (CMgr CCMI). As a Certified Bank Board Director and an Executive Coach (MSc, PCC), he leverages his academic background - which includes a Master’s degree from Henley Business School in Coaching & Behavioural Change - to guide boards and executives through complex transformations. He is currently pursuing a professional doctorate with a focus on how leaders can create sustainable organisational value that transcends individual performance.