Nov 12 / New York

The Modernization Equation

INVITATION ONLY. An executive forum on how banking transformation works at scale. Join senior banking and fintech executives for a senior-level conversation on moving from ambition to execution.

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01
Overview

DXC Technology is proud to host The Modernization Equation, an invitation-only executive forum bringing together senior banking and fintech leaders for a conversation on moving from ambition to execution. This curated gathering of decision-makers from tier-one banks, leading fintech firms, asset managers, and industry regulators is focused on the practical priorities of modern banking transformation.

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DATE
November 12
2026
SCHEDULE
8:45 a.m. — 5:30 p.m.
ADDRESS
1 Madison Ave
New York, NY, 10010, USA
LANGUAGE
English

THE FORUM | Where banking moves from ambition to execution.

01

Engage.

A curated audience of senior financial services
decision-makers.

02

Build trust.

A pragmatic conversation on modernization, AI value and new rails.

03

Shape.

Panels, demos and sponsor activations.

04

Drive.

Deepen client relationships and reach new prospects.

02
agenda

Agenda

Across five themed discussions, speakers and panelists will tackle the questions banking leaders are being asked to answer: What does AI at scale actually cost in regulated environments? How should banks approach tokenized deposits and digital assets? What should move first in modernization roadmaps, and what trade-offs matter most? How can institutions build infrastructure resilience while accelerating launches? The forum moves beyond aspiration to address the sequencing, tradeoffs, and operational realities that define successful transformation.

 

Join senior banking and fintech executives for a day of curated networking, pragmatic debate, and demos showcasing how to operationalize digital assets without disrupting core systems. This is a forum for senior decision-makers to engage with peers, deepen client relationships, and shape the future of banking infrastructure.

 

 

8:45 – 9:30 AM

Registration, Breakfast & Networking

8:45 – 9:30 AM
9:30 – 10:20 AM

Opening Remarks

9:30 – 10:20 AM

Sandeep Bhanote

9:50 – 10:20 AM

Morning Keynote Speech

9:50 – 10:20 AM
10:25 – 11:10 AM

The Real P&L of AI in Banking

10:25 – 11:10 AM

Banks are investing heavily in AI, but many still struggle to turn experimentation into measurable operational value. This discussion examines where AI is genuinely improving productivity, decision-making and customer operations, where expectations are outpacing readiness, and what foundations banks still need before AI can scale successfully. 

Moderator: Duncan Alexander​
Speakers: Gaurav Hind, Shantanu Sengupta, Sahana Hussain​

11:10 – 11:40 AM

Networking Break

11:10 – 11:40 AM
11:40 AM – 12:25 PM

The Sequencing Problem: What should banks modernize first — and what should they leave alone?

11:40 AM – 12:25 PM

Most banks know they need to modernize. Far fewer agree on the order of operations. This session explores how institutions are sequencing change, where roadmaps create avoidable risk, and how leaders can phase transformation in ways that improve speed, resilience and long-term value.

Moderator: Nathan Snyder​
Speakers: Krishna Maharaj, Rohit Kharbanda, Kim Jaffee-Prado​

12:25 AM – 1:25 PM

Lunch & Networking

12:25 AM – 1:25 PM
1:25 – 1:55 PM

Afternoon Keynote Speech

1:25 – 1:55 PM

Giorgos Tsapepas

2:00 – 2:45 PM

Tokenized Deposits and New Financial Rails: What is the realistic path from TradFi to digital asset infrastructure?

2:00 – 2:45 PM

Digital assets and tokenized deposits are moving from theoretical discussion into operational planning. This session looks at the infrastructure, regulatory and operating model decisions banks must address as they evaluate new financial rails, evolving balance-sheet implications and future revenue opportunities. 

Moderator: Brad Goad​
Speakers: Vanessa Fernandes, Jorgen Ouaknine, Kevin Tilton

2:45 – 3:15 PM

Networking Break

2:45 – 3:15 PM
3:15 – 4:00 PM

Speed vs. Stability: Balancing transformation pressure with operational resilience

3:15 – 4:00 PM

Banks are under constant pressure to move faster — but failure at speed is becoming more visible and more expensive. This session explores how leading institutions are managing release velocity, platform change and resilience requirements without compromising trust, control or continuity. 

Moderator: Thierry Battistini ​
Speakers: Akshay Sabhikhi, Lloyd Mandel

4:05 – 4:35 PM

Closing remarks. Details to be unveiled soon.

4:05 – 4:35 PM

Big Technology interviews DXC: Alex Kantrowitz & GrowthX Leadership​. 

4:35 – 5:30 PM

Cocktail Hour

4:35 – 5:30 PM

THE THEMES | The questions every banking leader is being asked to answer.

01/04 The real P&L of AI in banking

Where the return is real

What does it actually cost to run AI at scale in a regulated financial institution? Where is the return real, and where is it still theatre?

02/04 The sequencing problem

What moves first

How should banks prioritize modernization? What should move first, what should wait, and what trade-offs matter most?

03/04 ​ Tokenized Deposits and New Financial Rails

New rails, new revenue

What is the path to tokenized deposits, what regulatory and IT requirements are emerging, and how could this affect banking revenue models?

04/04 Speed versus stability

Velocity with control

How can banks accelerate launches while maintaining the trust, resilience and control required in mission-critical environments?

03
Speakers

Speakers

Gaurav Hind

Gaurav Hind

​MD, Global Head of Infrastructure, Data and AI | KKR
Vanessa Fernandes

Vanessa Fernandes

Chief Technology Officer | Grayscale Investments
​Maharaj Mukherjee

​Maharaj Mukherjee

Senior Vice President and Senior Architect Lead | Bank of America
Rohit Kharbanda

Rohit Kharbanda

Head of Commercial Banking Technology | Santander US
Sahana Hussain

Sahana Hussain

Director and Head of Channels Platform, US Consumer Bank | Barclays US
Jørgen Ouaknine

Jørgen Ouaknine

Global Head of Digital Markets Infrastructure | Apex Group
Kim Jaffee - Prado

Kim Jaffee - Prado

Managing Director, Global Head of Product - GlobalLINK | State Street
Giorgios Tsapepas

Giorgios Tsapepas

VP, IBM Systems & Software | IBM
Santanu Sengupta

Santanu Sengupta

Chief Data Officer - Americas, Global Head of Data & AI Products and Solutions | Nomura
Akshay Sabhikhi

Akshay Sabhikhi

CEO | ArcOne
Kevin Tilton

Kevin Tilton

IBM Digital Assets Lead - Haven | IBM
04
Sponsorship Packages

Partner with the conversation that matters.

SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES: Four tiers, each designed to put your brand alongside a pragmatic, high-value conversation with senior banking and fintech decision-makers.

PREMIERE TIER

Visionary Partner

Most closely aligned to the event narrative and senior audience

  • Panel participation or fireside chat
  • Cocktail hour sponsorship
  • Full-page ad in the digital program
  • Logo on all materials, lanyard and tote
  • Priority access to the attendee list
  • Two dedicated pre-event LinkedIn posts
Enquire
HIGH VISIBILITY

Innovation Leader

For a partner aligned to innovation and practical adoption.

  • Panel participation or fireside chat
  • Lunch sponsorship
  • Half-page ad in the digital program
  • Logo on website, banners and folder
  • One pre-event LinkedIn post
  • Featured post-event article
enquire
FOCUSED

Strategic Partner

For a partner aligned to specific area of transformation.

  • Breakfast sponsorship
  • Quarter-page ad in the digital program
  • Logo on select signage
  • One pre-event LinkedIn post
  • 150-word company profile
  • Post-event social highlights
enquire
SUPPORTING

Community Contributor

For partners seeking visibility within the banking community.

  • Logo on select signage
  • Logo on website and press releases
  • 150-word company profile
  • One pre-event LinkedIn post
  • Brochures at the resource table
  • Logo in the post-event recap email
enquire
05
Who is in the room

Senior executives

A curated audience drawn from tier-1 banks, top-tier credit unions, fintech partners, industry regulators and DXC's senior client community.

Bank CEOs and presidents
CIOs, CTOs and technology transformation leaders
Chief banking officers and business-line executives
EVPs, managing directors and board-level stakeholders
Senior fintech and ecosystem partner leaders
Selected regulators, advisors and industry voices
06
THE VENUE

IBM OFFICE AT MADISON AVE

1 Madison Ave, New York, NY, 10010

Single-day forum in the heart of  Manhattan —  overlooking Madison Square

 

Request your invitation, or speak with the DXC team about sponsorship and partner activations at The Modernization Equation.

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SOLVE FOR THE MODERNIZATION EQUATION

Request your invitation, or speak with the DXC team about sponsorship and partner activations at The Modernization Equation.

 

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