In his first public statement since being appointed as Nordea's Chief Digital Officer, Ewan MacLeod has called on fintech startups to connect with the bank for potential partnerships and collaboration opportunities.
"We're looking to collaborate with innovative fintechs that can help us accelerate our digital transformation and enhance our customer experience," MacLeod said in a statement released shortly after his appointment to lead Nordea's newly established Group Digital unit.
MacLeod's appointment comes as Nordea positions itself to become a leader in digital banking across the Nordic region. His call for fintech partnerships signals a strategic shift towards open innovation and external collaboration.
"The fintech ecosystem is incredibly vibrant, particularly here in the Nordics," MacLeod explained. "Rather than viewing fintech companies as competitors, we see them as potential partners who can help us deliver better solutions to our customers."
The invitation to fintechs reflects Nordea's broader digital strategy, which focuses on leveraging external innovation to complement internal development capabilities. MacLeod emphasized that the bank is particularly interested in companies working on customer experience, payment solutions, and data analytics.
As Chief Digital Officer, MacLeod will be responsible for driving Nordea's digital transformation agenda across all business areas. His background in technology and banking positions him well to bridge the gap between traditional banking and financial technology innovation.
"We want to create an ecosystem where both Nordea and fintech companies can thrive together," MacLeod noted. "This isn't just about technology – it's about reimagining how financial services can better serve customers in the digital age."
The announcement has been well-received by the Nordic fintech community, with several startup founders expressing interest in exploring potential partnerships with Nordea under MacLeod's leadership.
Fintech companies interested in partnering with Nordea are encouraged to reach out through the bank's innovation channels or connect directly with the Group Digital unit team.