This event will bring together policymakers, central bankers, financial institutions, investors and fintech leaders to discuss how Latvia can strengthen its position as an open, innovative and growth-oriented financial hub. Held alongside the EBRD Annual Meeting in Riga, it will showcase how smart cooperation between banks, fintech companies and public institutions can help turn promising ideas into scalable businesses and foster a stronger financial ecosystem. It is designed for those who care about the future of finance and want to contribute to building an ecosystem shaped by collaboration between startups, innovative banks and other financial sector actors and regulators. Places are limited and registration is required.

Organisers: Finance Latvia Association and FinTech Latvia Association

Friday, 5 June, 10:00–12:00

Venue: Magnetiq Bank atrium, Brivibas Str. 54, Riga

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PROGRAMME

09:30–10:00
Arrival coffee and registration

10:00–10:10
Opening remarks
Uldis Cērps, Chairman of the Board, Finance Latvia Association
Tīna Lūse Head, FinTech Latvia Association

10:10–10:20
Keynote address: Why small economies can move faster: Latvia as a testbed for financial innovation
Mārtiņš Kazāks, Governor, Latvijas Banka

10:20–10:35
Good practices in designing public policies for innovation in finance
Francis Malige, Managing Director, Head of Financial Institutions Business Group at the EBRD

10:35–11:20
Case studies: Building Latvia’s next generation of financial innovation
Short presentations from ecosystem players, showing how collaboration can turn ideas into scalable businesses:

• Magnetiq Bank
• Handwave 
• Fintelligence 
• Mintos 

This session will focus on practical examples of:

• fintech and bank collaboration, 
• digital transformation, 
• AI in financial services, 
• scaling from Latvia to international markets. 

11:20–11:50
Pannel discussion: Future of finance – how to build smart cooperation where fintechs, banks and regulators can join forces to innovate

Moderator: Tīna Lūse

Participants:

• Santa Purgaile, Deputy Governor, Latvijas Banka 
• Lauris Mencis, Swedbank Latvija
• Mārtiņš Puķe, Gravity Team
• Mārtiņš Valters, Mintos

Topics:

• creating smarter and more diverse finance ecosystem, 
• how to strengthen cooperation and grow the ecosystem, 
• regulatory contribution and instruments to support the growth,
• scaling opportunities for Latvian fintechs beyond Latvia,
• what should happen next to create conditions for future Amber Unicorns.

11:50–12:00
Closing reflections
Uldis Cērps and Tīna Lūse

From 12:00 onwards
Networking reception

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EBRD Annual Meeting taking place in Riga from 5-7 June.

This year’s programme involves discussions on how economies can move from volatility to versatility by strengthening resilience and adaptability. Sessions will focus on competitiveness, productivity, private-sector growth, capital markets, trade and investment reform. Innovation, digitalisation and future skills feature prominently as enablers of long-term economic transformation, alongside the energy transition and sustainable finance. The programme also highlights regional and country investment outlooks and civil society organisations.  

Registration – EBRD 2026 Annual Meeting and Business Forum