Finshape, a leading provider of digital banking solutions, announced the appointment of Neil Budd as the company's new CEO.
PRAGUE, Jan. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Budd joins Finshape an experienced executive with 25+years in banking, technology and consulting. He will focus on the company's continued international growth, strengthening value delivery for clients, and expanding activities primarily across Western Europe, the Middle East and the APAC region. Current CEO Petr Koutný will move to position of the Chairman of the Board.
Financial institutions today are working out how to turn their investments in digitalisation into measurable outcomes in conjunction with understanding how to harness the potential of artificial intelligence in a meaningful way. "Banks are looking for technology partners they can trust for the long term. Finshape has a strong, relevant product portfolio, experienced teams, and stable, trusted relationships with banks. With our ADBO System and new capabilities in loyalty and personalisation, we will continue to help banks deliver tangible value to their customers and accelerate our growth journey to new markets" said Neil Budd.
Finshape has been growing for the long term, particularly in CEE, where it works with major financial institutions including Erste Group, Raiffeisen Bank International AG, OTP Bank Group or Banca Transilvania. In 2025 Finshape generated EUR 55 million in revenue according to its consolidated results and grew 30% year-on-year. The company is also expanding its international footprint. Further growth has been supported by the recent acquisition of the loyalty platform Realtime-XLS from Collinson Group, and a strategic partnership with Dubai Islamic Bank, the largest Islamic bank in the United Arab Emirates.
These steps strengthen Finshape's role in global digital banking. Finshape intends to be a market leader in implementing technologies, specifically focusing on the meaningful integration of AI into the operations and into client offerings to deliver measurable outcomes for banks.
Before joining Finshape, Neil worked at various leading global consulting and advisory firms. At Finastra, he served as Vice President Global Head Strategic Partnerships Ecosystem and Alliances as well as Global Head Managed Services. At Accenture, he was Managing Director.
Today, Finshape serves 100+ financial institutions in 25 countries across four continents.
The company's team includes 600+ specialists, supporting tens of millions of end users worldwide. Finshape's growth is driven by a combination of organic development and targeted acquisitions.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Finshape Accelerates Global Growth: New CEO Brings 25 Years of Worldwide Banking Transformation Experience
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Cherrapunji, Pelling, and Kalimpong are also enjoying increased domestic interest
SINGAPORE, Jan. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital travel platform Agoda has revealed its latest insights into domestic travel interest to India's North-East. Darjeeling (West Bengal) emerging as the most searched destination in the region on Agoda for the period of October to December 2025. The picturesque hill station, Gangtok (Sikkim) in second, and Shillong (Meghalaya) in third, together form the top trio of destinations in the region, drawing travellers with their scenic beauty and unique cultural experiences.
The data, based on accommodation searches made on Agoda by Indians between July and September 2025, underscores the appeal of these hill stations as quintessential retreats for domestic travelers in the holiday season.
Following the top 3 closely are Guwahati (Assam) and Siliguri (West Bengal) in the fourth and fifth spot, respectively. Guwahati's lively city life and Siliguri's strategic location as a gateway to the region make them integral parts of many travel itineraries.
To underline the growing popularity of India's North-East, smaller towns like Cherrapunji (Meghalaya), Pelling (Sikkim), and Kalimpong (West Bengal) are also drawing increased attention from domestic travelers. Cherrapunji offers lush landscapes and stunning waterfalls, Pelling provides breathtaking views of the Kanchenjunga range, and Kalimpong delights with vibrant flower markets and colonial architecture. These hidden gems are also enriching the North-East travel experience with their quaint offerings.
Commenting on the trend, Gaurav Malik, Country Director for the Indian Subcontinent and Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda, said, "It's great to witness travellers embracing the diverse landscapes of India, in this case the North-East. The region's natural beauty and serenity captivate those seeking both popular and quaint experiences. In recent years, many accommodation providers, including hotels, hostels, and non-hotel accommodations like villas, serviced apartments, and homestays, have partnered with Agoda to capture the growing interest from domestic and inbound travelers alike. I would encourage any hotelier or other accommodation provider, big or small, that isn't listed on Agoda yet to take advantage of our easy 30-minute onboarding program to ensure they aren't missing out."
With over 130,000 flight routes, more than 6 million holiday properties, and over 300,000 activities, Agoda offers flexible options and deals to help travelers discover destinations that suit their plans and preferences. Discover the best deals on Agoda's mobile app and visit Agoda.com to plan the perfect year-end trips.
Cherrapunji, Pelling, and Kalimpong are also enjoying increased domestic interest
SINGAPORE, Jan. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital travel platform Agoda has revealed its latest insights into domestic travel interest to India's North-East. Darjeeling (West Bengal) emerging as the most searched destination in the region on Agoda for the period of October to December 2025. The picturesque hill station, Gangtok (Sikkim) in second, and Shillong (Meghalaya) in third, together form the top trio of destinations in the region, drawing travellers with their scenic beauty and unique cultural experiences.
The data, based on accommodation searches made on Agoda by Indians between July and September 2025, underscores the appeal of these hill stations as quintessential retreats for domestic travelers in the holiday season.
Following the top 3 closely are Guwahati (Assam) and Siliguri (West Bengal) in the fourth and fifth spot, respectively. Guwahati's lively city life and Siliguri's strategic location as a gateway to the region make them integral parts of many travel itineraries.
To underline the growing popularity of India's North-East, smaller towns like Cherrapunji (Meghalaya), Pelling (Sikkim), and Kalimpong (West Bengal) are also drawing increased attention from domestic travelers. Cherrapunji offers lush landscapes and stunning waterfalls, Pelling provides breathtaking views of the Kanchenjunga range, and Kalimpong delights with vibrant flower markets and colonial architecture. These hidden gems are also enriching the North-East travel experience with their quaint offerings.
Commenting on the trend, Gaurav Malik, Country Director for the Indian Subcontinent and Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda, said, "It's great to witness travellers embracing the diverse landscapes of India, in this case the North-East. The region's natural beauty and serenity captivate those seeking both popular and quaint experiences. In recent years, many accommodation providers, including hotels, hostels, and non-hotel accommodations like villas, serviced apartments, and homestays, have partnered with Agoda to capture the growing interest from domestic and inbound travelers alike. I would encourage any hotelier or other accommodation provider, big or small, that isn't listed on Agoda yet to take advantage of our easy 30-minute onboarding program to ensure they aren't missing out."
With over 130,000 flight routes, more than 6 million holiday properties, and over 300,000 activities, Agoda offers flexible options and deals to help travelers discover destinations that suit their plans and preferences. Discover the best deals on Agoda's mobile app and visit Agoda.com to plan the perfect year-end trips.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Darjeeling Tops Agoda's List of Most Searched Domestic Destinations in North-East for Oct-Dec 2025
