The 27th edition of The Asian Banker Summit will convene senior banking, regulatory and technology leaders from over 25 countries in Kuala Lumpur on 13–14 May 2026 under the theme “Imagining the AI Bank”.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 12 May 2026 - The Asian Banker Summit 2026 will convene its 27th edition in Kuala Lumpur, bringing together global policymakers, regulators, bankers and technology leaders to examine the next phase of financial services shaped by artificial intelligence, digital assets and cross-border financial integration.
Patrick McHenry, former Chairman of the US House Financial Services Committee (2023–2025) and United States Congressman (2005–2025), will deliver the international keynote on “Legislating the Future of Finance”, addressing regulatory clarity, digital asset oversight and the evolving structure of global financial markets.
Yang Berhormat Liew Chin Tong, Deputy Minister of Finance, Malaysia, will open the Summit with a keynote on “Capital, Policy and Growth in the Age of AI”, outlining Malaysia’s financial-sector priorities and digital economy ambitions. Yang Berhormat Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital, Malaysia, will deliver the closing keynote on “From the AI Bank to AI Native Economies”, addressing how governments, regulators and industry can build the infrastructure, policy frameworks and institutional capabilities required to support AI-led economic transformation.
The opening session will include a welcome note by Dato’ Sri Khairussaleh Ramli, President and Group CEO of Maybank and Chairman of The Association of Banks in Malaysia. His remarks will place Malaysia’s banking sector within the context of the Summit theme and examine how banks, regulators and technology partners can work together to build trusted, practical and connected financial infrastructure across the region.
The Summit will also feature Simon See, Global Head of the NVIDIA AI Technology Centre, who will address the operational realities of deploying artificial intelligence at scale, including infrastructure readiness, governance and the transition from pilot programmes to production environments.
The 2026 programme, themed “Imagining the AI Bank”, will focus on artificial intelligence deployment in banking, real-time financial infrastructure, digital asset regulation and the next phase of cross-border financial connectivity. More than 75 speakers across three flagship conferences and a series of closed-door roundtables will examine how financial institutions, regulators and technology firms are responding to structural changes in global finance.
The Summit will welcome more than 600 senior participants from over 25 countries, including central banks, regulatory authorities and leading financial institutions.
- Financial Technology Innovation Conference – focusing on AI, data architecture, digital assets and next-generation banking models
- Transaction Finance Re-Invented Conference – covering trade, supply chain finance, liquidity, real-time payments and transaction banking transformation.
- Beyond Borders – examining cross-border financial connectivity, payments innovation and regional growth across ASEAN, North Asia, the Middle East and Africa
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The Launch Ceremony of the PolyU International Future Challenge 2026 was officiated by Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU President (centre); Prof. Christopher Chao, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) (5th from left); Prof. Zijian Zheng, Vice President (Knowledge Transfer) (5th from right); Ms Amylia Chan, Interim Director of the Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office (4th from left); Prof. Changyuan Yu, Director of PolyU-Jinjiang Technology and Innovation Research Institute (4th from right); Prof. Yi-Qing Ni, Director of PolyU-Hangzhou Technology and Innovation Research Institute (3rd from left); Prof. Wu Chen, Director of Hefei Technology and Innovation Research Institute (3rd from right); Prof. George Q. Huang, Director of PolyU-Wuxi Technology and Innovation Research Institute (2nd from left); Prof. Mingguang He, Director of PolyU-Wuhan Technology and Innovation Research Institute (2nd from right); Prof. Tommy Minchen Wei, Director of PolyU-Qianhai Disruptive Technology and Innovation Research Centre (1st from left); and Prof. Chi-wai Do, Associate Director of PolyU-Nanjing Technology and Innovation Research Institute (1st from right).
PolyU International Future Challenge 2026 launched to drive innovative ventures through cross-border network of Mainland Translational Research Institutes
Participants will earn the chance to win a wealth of rewards and opportunities, including up to HK$120,000 (Hong Kong Region) or RMB100,000 (each Chinese Mainland region) for regional champion teams, who can then compete for greater honours and awards at the Grand Final. In addition to monetary prizes, participants will also have the opportunity to connect with Chinese Mainland markets via the University's MTRI network, join local and overseas entrepreneurial visits, secure commercialisation support from the PolyVentures startup ecosystem, access PolyU's established network of investors and corporate leaders, receive mentorship from industry experts and obtain tuition sponsorship for the PolyU Master of Technology Entrepreneurship programme. Moreover, all participants will be entitled to join the "KT&E Skills Acceleration Hub" training series to enhance their innovation and entrepreneurship skillsets.
With AI+ at its core and the vision to bring positive impact to local industries and societal wellbeing, PolyU IFC 2026 strategically focuses on five industry domains: Life Sciences and Healthcare, Advanced Manufacturing and Microelectronics, Digital Economy and FinTech, Smart City and Green Living, as well as Aerospace and Aviation Technology. The focus domains of each competition region are outlined as follows:
| Competition Regions | Industry Domains |
| Life Sciences and Healthcare | Advanced Manufacturing and Microelectronics | Digital Economy and FinTech | Smart City and Green Living | Aerospace and Aviation Technology |
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| Nanjing | X
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| Wuhan | X
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| Hong Kong | X
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| Hefei | X
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| Hangzhou | X
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| Wuxi | X
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During the Launch Ceremony fireside chat, Mr Albert WONG, former CEO of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, engaged in a thought-provoking dialogue with Prof. YANG Hongxia, Associate Dean (Global Engagement) of the PolyU Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences; Executive Director of the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence; and Chair Professor of Generative Artificial Intelligence. The speakers explored a range of topics that included the innovation ecosystem, tomorrow's ventures and talents, AI democratisation, and translational research, from both industry and academic perspectives. This exchange marked the start of the competition, inspiring everyone with an aspiration for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Local and global applications are now open for all IFC 2026 competition regions, with the official application deadline set for 14 June. Regional finals will run from August to November, while regional top teams will compete at the Grand Final in January next year. For details of the Challenge, please visit the official website.
Hashtag: #PolyU
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