Events

2025 Global Councils Forum

Overview
Register
Program
Speakers
Sponsorship
Venue

Overview

Where Global Transaction Banking Leaders Converge 


The 2025 BAFT Global Councils Forum brings together senior leaders from across the international transaction banking ecosystem—banks, partners, and providers—for a morning of high-impact dialogue and connection. 

This exclusive, invite-only event fosters strategic collaboration to shape market direction, inform regulatory discourse, and explore the innovations transforming the industry. 

Held the Sunday morning before SIBOS, the forum sets the stage for discussions that follow throughout the week. 


Invite-Only  ●  Complimentary Registration  ●  Space is Limited


Why Should You Attend?

Kick off your SIBOS experience by engaging with global peers in a focused, smaller-scale setting. The half-day program features thought leadership sessions and targeted networking, allowing you to reconnect with clients, peers, and industry leaders before the busy week ramps up.

Who Will Be There?

Attendance is limited to 150 senior-level executives, including heads of transaction banking, payments, trade, innovation, and compliance, key decision makers, and featured speakers from around the world. 


RSVP Details

  • Registration is available by invitation only. If you’ve received an invitation email, please follow the link provided to confirm your attendance.  
  • Didn’t receive an invitation but are interested in attending? Email [email protected] to inquire about availability or to be added to the waitlist. 

Program

September 28, 2025
September 28, 2025 - All Times are in Central European Summer Time (CEST)

8:30 - 9:30

Networking Breakfast

9:30 - 9:55

Welcome Remarks

Speakers
Tod Burwell
President & CEO
BAFT

9:55 - 10:35

Geopolitical & Macroeconomic Landscape – Is a New or Old World Order Emerging and How Will it Affect Global Trade

During this fireside chat, current geopolitical trends and their impact on the global economy and interconnected trade dynamics will be explored. Historical parallels, geopolitical tensions, shifting alliances, fiscal expansionism, and much more will be discussed including a Q&A session for the guests.

Speaker
Christian Keller
Head of Economic Research
Barclays

with
Dean Sposito
Managing Director, Head of Institutional Cash and Trade, Western Europe
Deutsche Bank

10:35 - 10:55

Networking Break

10:55 - 11:40

Adapting to Uncertainty: How Geopolitics and Macroeconomic Shifts Are Reshaping Transactional Banking

In today’s increasingly volatile global landscape, transactional banking is experiencing a significant transformation. Factors such as rising interest rates, inflationary pressures, supply chain disruptions, shifting trade flows, and escalating geopolitical tensions — including sanctions and regional conflicts — are all influencing how global banks manage liquidity, payments, trade finance, and client relationships. This panel will bring together senior leaders from prominent global and regional banks to discuss how these macroeconomic and geopolitical dynamics are reshaping transactional banking. The conversation will focus on how banks are adjusting their services, infrastructure, and strategies to support clients during uncertain times.

Panelists
Bohani Hlungwane
Interim Managing Executive: Transactional Banking Corporate & Investment Bank
Absa

Patricia Sullivan
Global Head of Institutional Cash Management, Corporate Bank
Deutsche Bank

11:40 - 11:55

From Oils to Algorithms: The New Era of Financial Services in MENA

The MENA region is undergoing a transformative journey from its traditional oil-based economy to a dynamic, innovation-driven one. By laying the foundation early for this new era, the region is embracing advanced technologies such as AI and big data analytics. These and more cutting-edge technologies are positioning the key players in the region, like the UAE, as a global leader while boosting the region’s entrepreneurial ambitions, paving the way for a sustainable and diversified economic future.

Speaker
Ali Imran
Chief Operating Officer
Commercial Bank of Dubai

with
Joy MacKnight
Editor
Trade Treasury Payments (TTP)

11:55 - 12:25

Future Focus: Insights for What Might Be Ahead

12:25 - 12:45

Closing Remarks: Together Forward - Celebrating BAFT's New Beginning

Speakers
Tod Burwell
President & CEO
BAFT

Nick Smit
Chairman of the Board
BAFT

12:45 - 14:00

Networking Lunch

Register

The 2025 BAFT Global Councils Forum is an exclusive, invite-only event. Registration is complimentary, but an RSVP is required since seats are limited.  


RSVP Details

  • Registration is available by invitation only. If you’ve received an invitation email, please follow the link provided to confirm your attendance.  
  • Didn’t receive an invitation but are interested in attending? Email [email protected] to inquire about availability or to be added to the waitlist. 

Speakers

September 28, 2025
September 28, 2025
Tod Burwell
Tod Burwell
President & CEO
BAFT

Tod Burwell is the President and Chief Executive Officer of BAFT. Prior to being promoted to CEO, he served as the Senior Vice President of Trade Products with oversight of all trade-related initiatives including the Global Trade Industry Council, Trade Committees, and other strategic initiatives of the organization. Mr. Burwell has over 25 years of trade, supply chain and cash management experience as a banking practitioner, as well as serving as a consultant to global corporations and suppliers of strategically integrated trade solutions. Prior to joining BAFT, Mr. Burwell was a Managing Director at JPMorgan Chase and held senior global management roles responsible for trade operations, launching the logistics business and managing global product sales for trade finance and logistics management.

Bohani Hlungwane
Bohani Hlungwane
Interim Managing Executive for Transactional Banking - Corporate & Investment Bank
Absa Group

Bohani Hlungwane is the Interim Managing Executive for Transactional Banking at Absa Group’s Corporate and Investment Bank, where he manages a business cluster comprising of Payments & Cash Management, Trade & Working Capital, and Custody & Trustees. He was previously Group Head of Cash Management, and before then was Group Head of Trade & Working Capital. He has also previously worked in Hong Kong (for a global bank) for 6 years and covered Europe, the Americas and MENA as part of a Global Product Team. He is a senior global banker, thought leader on Africa Trade, Trade, speaker on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and business leader with over 20 years experience in banking across geographies. He is a member of the B20 Task Force on Trade & Investment. His expertise spans across trade finance, working capital, corporate banking, business development, business management, business strategy, operations management, transactional banking, and deal structuring. Bohani holds a Senior Executive Leadership Program certificate from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, an MBA in Strategy & Finance from The University of Pretoria's Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) and a Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Financial & Monetary Economics from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Ali Imran
Ali Imran
Chief Operating Officer
Commercial Bank of Dubai

Ali Imran is the Chief Operating Officer at Commercial Bank of Dubai and is a member of the Bank’s Executive Committee. He is responsible for designing and delivering digital capabilities, technological innovation, operational efficiencies and strategic change within the bank. Previously, Ali has held various leadership roles at ABN AMRO and the Royal Bank of Scotland. Most recently, he was a Partner at PwC, leading the customer advisory practice for Middle East Region. In addition, Ali has driven the evolution and establishment of greenfield transformation programs, developing digital delivery capabilities and fintech partnerships that connect CBD to the emerging technology ecosystem and innovation for clients.

Christian Keller
Christian Keller
Head of Economic Research
Barclays

Christian Keller is a Managing Director and Head of Economics Research at Barclays, leading a global team covering both Developed and Emerging Markets. Mr. Keller is based in London and joined Barclays in 2007 from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) where he had worked since 1999. Based at the IMF headquarters in Washington D.C., Mr. Keller worked on IMF programs with Emerging Market economies in Europe, Latin America and Asia, and served as the IMF’s Resident Representative in Turkey from 2005-7. Mr. Keller graduated with a PhD in Economics from University of Köln, Germany, and holds a joined-MA in Economics and Finance from University of Köln and HEC, Paris.

Nick Smit
Nick Smit
Managing Director & Head of Financial Institutions, North America
ING Bank

Nick Smit is a Managing Director, Head of Financial Institutions North America, with responsibility for originating and executing transactions for financial institution clients in North America, including asset managers, insurance companies, and banks. Nick has 18 years experience in the financial industry, primarily in corporate and global client relationship management. After he joined ING in 1995 as an Account Manager in Global Clients based in Amsterdam, he held various management roles within ING’s global banking network, including Head of Corporate Banking in Geneva, Head of Global Clients and Head of Corporate Clients for the Nordic Region based in Brussels, and Chief of Staff for ING’s global corporate and institutional business based in Amsterdam. Prior to joining ING, he worked in international trade and export finance at Standard Merchant Bank in Johannesburg.

Dean Sposito
Dean Sposito
Head of Institutional Cash and Trade, Western Europe
Deutsche Bank

Dean Sposito is Head of Institutional Cash and Trade, Western Europe, based in Frankfurt. Dean carries management responsibility for teams in eight locations throughout Europe. In this region, Deutsche Bank has active Cash Management and Trade Finance relationships with Financial Institutions in over 30 countries and maintains leading positions in EUR, USD, and other major currencies. Deutsche Bank is a premier provider of Cash Management and Trade Finance services to Financial Institutions globally. Deutsche Bank is a recognized leader among its peers, helping clients to efficiently manage their payments and trade needs across multiple time zones, borders and currencies.

Patricia Sullivan
Patricia Sullivan
Global Head of Institutional Cash Management, Corporate Bank
Deutsche Bank

Patricia Sullivan is Managing Director and Global Head of Institutional Cash Management (ICM) at Deutsche Bank since January 2024. In this role Patricia oversees the business and teams within the Corporate Bank delivering a wide range of payment, transactional FX, risk management, and liquidity solutions to financial institutions (banks & central banks) and Deutsche Bank affiliates. Patricia holds a Board Observer seat at Partior and is a member of the BAFT Transaction Banking Global Leaders Council. Patricia has more than 20 years of experience in covering ICM, Criminal Prosecution, Litigation, Financial Crime Compliance and Core Compliance.

FAQ's

Sponsorship

BAFT at SIBOS 2025


BAFT Global Council Forum is an exclusive invitation-only event bringing together senior bankers and industry leaders in the international transaction banking space. Held annually on Sunday morning prior to SIBOS, this is where influential leaders and decisionmakers gather in an intimate setting to discuss significant developments affecting the industry.

Each year, BAFT hosts approximately 125 key industry leaders for this half-day event. The Forum will be taking place Sunday, September 28 from 9:00 – 13:30 CET (lunch is included). Sponsors have the opportunity to showcase their expertise and leadership by participating as speakers in the program and driving the focus of the Forum.

Sponsors participate as planning members that help drive the focus and content of the forum, as speakers in selected sessions, and as hosts of networking events held throughout the day.

Options


Exclusive Platinum Sponsor One (1) Available

  • Keynote Speaking opportunity in the conference program (subject to program planning team approval)
  • Network with top international transaction banking leaders in an intimate setting
  • Opportunity to participate on the program planning and drive Forum content
  • Seven (7) invitations to this invitation-only Forum
  • Custom giveaway at registration or seat-drop
  • Pull-up banner in registration area
  • Logo on conference website, conference marketing, and sponsor thank you slide o
  • One-page flyer for the registration table
  • Pre- and post-conference attendee list (name, title, company, email)

Gold SponsorThree (3) More Available 

  • Speaking opportunity in the conference program (subject to program planning team approval)
  • Network with top international transaction banking leaders in an intimate setting
  • Opportunity to participate on the program planning and drive Forum content
  • Five (5) invitations to this invitation-only Forum
  • Pull-up banner in registration area
  • One-page flyer for the registration table
  • Logo on conference website, conference marketing, and sponsor thank you slide
  • Pre- and post-conference attendee list (name, title, company, email)

For additional information, please contact:

Matthew Kaitz
Senior Director, Business Development
[email protected]
+1 (703) 200-9071

Venue

Venue and Forum Location


The 2025 BAFT Global Councils Forum will be held at the Messe Frankfurt, the same convention center as SIBOS.  

Entrance: Congress Messe Frankfurt (CMF) entrance

Meeting Room: Congress Center, Level C3, Fantasie 1&2

 

 

Testimonials

“Excellent sessions with a good variety of topics covered, and a good audience, which enabled efficient networking.”

Forum Attendee

Sydney, Australia

“A well structured event with a good gathering of a cross section of BAFT's membership that made attending fruitful.”

Forum Attendee

Pretoria, South Africa

“Excellent program and very well presented.”

Forum Attendee

Boston, Massachusetts

“Good event for networking with peers and getting an early insight on the topics that will be prevalent at SIBOS.”

Forum Attendee

London, United Kingdom

“The setting, format and timely information that was discussed were great.”

Forum Attendee

Washington, DC


Sponsors


Interested in sponsoring the 2025 Global Councils Forum? We can tailor your sponsorship package to meet your goals.

To discuss your sponsorship options, please contact:

Matthew Kaitz
Senior Director, Business Development
[email protected]
+1 (703) 200-9071