Toronto Centre Podcasts

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177

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May 2026

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Providing high quality capacity building programs for financial supervisors and regulators to build more stable and inclusive financial systems. Toronto Centre is an independent not-for-profit organization that promotes financial stability and access to financial services globally, particularly in emerging markets and developing countries. www.torontocentre.org What financial supervisors and regulators do every day has a ripple effect that cascades across government, NGOs, and the private sector impacting developing economies and those living in them. Toronto Centre’s podcast series will feature simulating panel sessions and interviews on timely topics such as, financial crisis, financial stability, climate change, gender equality, financial inclusion, fintech and much more.

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May 25, 2026Episode 18231 min

Ep. 182: Retos en la Supervisión de Neobancos y Otros Intemediarios Financieros Digitales

Cyber and Operational Risk in the Quantum Era: Financial Stability amid Escalating Geopolitical ConflictThis panel took place at the 2026 International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group Spring Meetings.Financial stability is under fire as geopolitics and cyber risk collide. As global tensions intensify and technological capabilities accelerate, financial institutions face a rapidly evolving threat landscape where cyber operations, financial crime, and state-sponsored actors are increasingly intertwined. From ransomware campaigns and sanctions evasion to sophisticated cyber intrusions targeting critical infrastructure, adversaries are exploiting digital systems and global financial networks in new and complex ways.As these threats continue to evolve, the quantum horizon introduces an additional layer of strategic risk. This executive panel will examine how advances in quantum computing could reshape cyber and operational risk across the financial sector, while also considering the growing convergence between cyber-enabled crime, ransomware payments, sanctions evasion, and global illicit finance networks. Leaders from policy, finance, and technology will explore the implications of quantum-enabled decryption, the expanding links between cyber threats and illicit finance, and the operational vulnerabilities that could undermine confidence in critical financial infrastructure.The discussion focused on how institutions and regulators can strengthen resilience, enhance cross-border coordination, and prepare for a future in which emerging technologies, cyber conflict, ransomware, and financial crime increasingly intersect. The panel explored what these developments mean for international efforts to combat cyber-enabled financial crime and how global standards bodies, national authorities, and financial institutions can strengthen cooperation to protect the integrity and resilience of the international financial system.Opening Remarks:Cindy Termorshuizen, Deputy Minister of International Development, Government of CanadaPanelists:Giles Thomson, Director, Economic Crime and Sanctions, His Majesty's Treasury; Incoming President, FATFStefan Ingves, Chair, Toronto Centre; Former Governor, Sveriges RiksbankMichele Mosca, Professor, Institute for Quantum Computing, University of WaterlooModerator:Jennifer Elliott, Assistant Director, Monetary and Capital Markets, IMF; Board Member, Toronto CentreWatch the executive panel session here.Read the transcript here. Read their biographies here.

March 28, 202523 min

Ep. 159: Financial Education and Literacy: Strengthening the Stability and Resilience of Financial Systems

This podcast explores why financial literacy matters, its impact on financial stability and inclusion, and what can be done to improve it at all levels, from individuals to policymakers and supervisors. The speakers discuss how tailored literacy initiatives can help to bridge socio-economic gaps and will lead to people making better financial decisions. They explore how to assess the impact of the initiatives and the importance of updating them to keep pace with technological change. Speaker: Pedro Duarte Neves, Advisor, Board of Directors, Banco de PortugalHost: Demet Çanakçı, Senior Program Director, Toronto CentreRead the transcript here. Read their biographies here.The views expressed in the podcast are those of Pedro Duarte Neves and do not necessarily reflect those of Banco de Portugal or the Eurosystem.

February 7, 202559 min

Ep. 158: Women's Financial Inclusion - A Catalyst for Sustainable Development

Toronto Centre and CARE Canada co-hosted a virtual panel session to mark Canada's International Development Week.Closing the financial inclusion gender gap is essential for sustainable economic growth and stability. It empowers women socially and economically while strengthening financial systems. Safeguarding and accelerating the progress made over the past 15 years is critical to ensuring continued advancement.The panel explored strategies to drive women’s financial inclusion, focusing on policy innovations, digital financial services, savings and loan groups, and public-private partnerships. Panelists also discussed how evolving financial ecosystems can support women entrepreneurs, expand access to credit, and promote lasting economic participation.Panelists:May Abulnaga, First Sub-Governor, Central Bank of Egypt; New Chair, Gender Inclusive Finance Committee, Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI)Sophie Sirtaine, CEO, Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP)Claudine Mensah Awute, Vice President, International Programs and Operations, CAREModerator:Babak Abbaszadeh, President and CEO, Toronto CentreWatch the webinar here.Read the transcript here. Read their biographies here.Écoutez le podcast en français ici.Escuche el podcast en español aqui.

February 4, 202536 min

Ep. 157: Artificial Intelligence and Prudential Supervision

This podcast highlights the benefits and challenges of using artificial intelligence (AI) in prudential supervision.The speakers discuss how AI can be used as a supervisory tool to improve fraud detection and risk monitoring, as well as supervising industry use. They also explore the importance of human oversight to ensure fairness in decision making, and the need for ongoing cooperation and flexibility while learning more about AI’s potential.Speakers: Manoj Singh, Deputy General Manager, Central Quality Assurance, Reserve Bank of IndiaKangyu Wang, PhD Candidate, Department of Philosophy, Logic & Scientific Method, London School of EconomicsHost: Wynnell De Landro-Robinson, Program Director, Toronto CentreRead the transcript here. Read their biographies here.

January 24, 202516 min

Ep. 156: The Supervision of Financial Institutions' Climate-related Transition Planning

There is an increasing focus on the role of financial institutions in contributing to climate-related change as a result of their financing of the activities of customers and counterparties. A key element in financial institutions’ efforts to limit their contributions to climate-related change is the development of transition plans.This Toronto Centre Note and accompanying podcast focuses on two types of transition plans: those focused primarily on strengthening financial institutions’ own internal risk management in the face of climate-related change, and those aimed at reducing institutions’ own contributions to such change.Speaker: Paul Wright, Program Leader, Toronto CentreHost: Demet Çanakçı, Senior Program Director, Toronto CentreRead the transcript here. Read their biographies here.

December 11, 202425 min

Ep. 155: Supervision of Financial Institutions’ Business Models

Financial institutions fail for many reasons. These failures are often the symptom or consequence of one or more underlying root causes. In some financial institutions, business model weaknesses may be combined with weak corporate governance and poor risk management.This TC Note and accompanying podcast discusses ways in which supervisors can assess the business models of financial institutions, and can intervene to reduce or mitigate the risks inherent in a flawed business model.This should help supervisory authorities to consider how to incorporate business model analysis within their supervisory frameworks, and how to engage with the boards and senior management of financial institutions on this topic.Speaker: Clive Briault, Chair, Banking Advisory Board, Toronto CentreHost: Demet Çanakçı, Senior Program Director, Toronto CentreRead the transcript here. Read their biographies here.https://torontocentre.org/

October 31, 20241 hr 1 min

Ep. 154: The Rise of AI - Transforming Financial Markets and Supervision

This panel took place at the 2024 International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group Annual Meetings.In today's fast-changing financial landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of transformation, reshaping how markets operate and how they are regulated. As we embrace AI's immense potential, it is crucial to address ethical considerations, data privacy, and the need for transparency. Collaboration among industry stakeholders, regulators, and technology developers is essential to harness AI's benefits while effectively managing its risks. The panel discussed:- How AI is driving innovation, enhancing decision-making, and improving operational efficiency- Predictive analytics capabilities that enable better risk assessment and mitigation- Revolutionary advancements in financial supervision, such as AI-powered monitoring and compliance tools- Rapid technological changes and ensuring that regulatory frameworks keep paceOpening Remarks:The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, Government of CanadaPanelists:The Honourable John Rwangombwa, Governor, National Bank of RwandaFundi Tshazibana, Deputy Governor and CEO: Prudential Authority, South African Reserve Bank; Vice-Chair, Network for Greening the Financial SystemStefan Ingves, Chair, Toronto Centre; Former Governor, Sveriges RiksbankModerator:Jennifer Elliott, Assistant Director, Monetary and Capital Markets Department, International Monetary Fund; Board Member, Toronto Centrehttps://torontocentre.org/

October 1, 2024

Ep. 153: Climate-related Financial Risks

This was the fifth webinar of the series on the revised Core Principles for effective banking supervision. The panel discussed the inclusion of climate risk in the updated Core Principles and highlight why both banks and supervisors should adopt flexible practices to address the evolving nature of climate risks.Panelists:Elsie Addo Awadzi, Deputy Governor, Bank of Ghana; Board Member, Toronto CentreShahin Mahmudzade, Executive Director, Central Bank of the Republic of AzerbaijanModerator:Jean Pesme, Global Director, Finance, Competitiveness & Innovation, World Bank; Board Member, Toronto CentreView their biographies here.https://www.torontocentre.org/

September 18, 2024

Ep. 152: Operational Resilience and Proportionality

This was the fourth webinar of the series on the revised Core Principles for effective banking supervision.The revised Core Principle 25 emphasizes banks’ capacity to handle severe operational risks, including pandemics, cyber threats, and natural disasters. Additionally, the revisions introduce a proportionality approach, aligning regulatory rules and supervisory practices with each bank's systemic importance and risk profile. This ensures that standards are scaled appropriately, from large international institutions to smaller deposit-taking banks, without compromising regulatory strength.The panel discussed the importance of operational resilience for banks in a rapidly changing world, as well as the role of proportionality in effectively scaling standards for different banking sectors.Panelists:Chuchi G. Fonacier, Deputy Governor, Central Bank of PhilippinesJessica Chew, Deputy Governor, Bank Negara MalaysiaModerator:Bill Coen, Former Secretary General, Basel Committee on Banking Supervision; Board Member and Chair, Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, Toronto CentreRead the transcript here. Read their biographies here.https://www.torontocentre.org/

July 22, 20241 hr 1 min

Ep. 151: Risk Management and Business Model Sustainability

This was the third webinar of the series on the revised Core Principles for effective banking supervision.The Basel Committee wants banks to institute a sound risk culture, to maintain strong risk management practices, and to adopt and implement sustainable business models. The revised Core Principles make clear that the assessment of business model sustainability is a key component of effective supervision.The panel discussed how supervisors can assess business models and determine if and how to appropriately intervene. Speakers:Elsie Addo Awadzi, Deputy Governor, Bank of Ghana; Board Member, Toronto CentreWilliam Burn, Managing Director, Supervision Methods, Standards and Controls, Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, CanadaModerator:Clive Briault, Chair, Banking Advisory Board, Toronto CentreRead the transcript here. Read their biographies here. https://www.torontocentre.org/