Paolo Sironi

Paolo Sironi is a global personality, bestselling author, podcaster, board advisor, and international speaker with over two decades of experience in the financial and fintech industries. He currently serves as the Global Research Leader in Banking and Financial Markets at the IBM Institute for Business Value, where he leads IBM’s global research efforts in banking, providing strategic insights to major financial institutions worldwide. His work primarily focuses on business model transformation, advising C-level executives on leveraging technology for competitive advantage and sustainable growth.
 

Before joining IBM, Paolo was the Head of Portfolio Strategy at IBM Risk Analytics, where he led innovation and identified emerging trends in risk management. He also founded CAPITECTS, a joint venture startup specialising in outsourcing risk technology and offering innovative cloud-based services in wealth and investment management. Paolo’s earlier role as Director of Risk Management at Intesa Sanpaolo involved creating the Market & Counterparty Risk Management operations, and he was instrumental in obtaining Italy's first regulatory approval for internal models.
 

A respected voice in fintech, Paolo is the host of the international podcast The Bankers’ Bookshelf, where he interviews authors and researchers in the field of finance and banking. Additionally, he co-hosts the Breaking Banks podcast, a monthly show produced by Provoke Media. Paolo is also a sought-after keynote speaker, where he connects finance and technology through strategic innovation, covering topics such as fintech, wealth management, risk management, and the future of banking on platform economies.
 

As a bestselling author, Paolo has published several widely recognised books in the fields of finance and technology, including Banks and Fintech on Platform Economies, Financial Market Transparency, and MiFID2: Value Generation for Investors. His books have been highly regarded in the industry and are frequently listed as top sellers on Amazon.

Paolo Sironi earned his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, where he graduated with top honours. After completing his undergraduate studies, he pursued further education at Cass Business School, where he completed an MSc in Investment Management. His academic background laid the foundation for his later work in financial markets, risk management, and fintech.
 

Paolo’s career began in the banking sector, where he worked as a quantitative engineer in investment banking. In this role, he was involved in risk management and the development of quantitative models to assess and mitigate financial risks. He worked at Intesa Sanpaolo, a major Italian financial institution, where he was responsible for Market & Counterparty Risk Management. During his time at Intesa Sanpaolo, he obtained Italy's first regulatory approval for internal risk models, an achievement that marked a significant milestone in his career.

In 2008, Paolo took a significant step by founding CAPITECTS, a joint venture startup focused on risk technology and providing innovative cloud-based services in the wealth management and investment management sectors. The company worked with Sal. Oppenheim Bank and Algorithmics (Fitch Ratings) to offer risk management solutions. This venture marked his transition from working within large financial institutions to pursuing entrepreneurial activities in the fintech space.
 

Paolo joined IBM in 2012 and began leading IBM Risk Analytics as the Head of Portfolio Strategy. His role involved identifying trends and market opportunities in risk management and analytics, helping financial institutions better understand and navigate financial risks. In 2020, Paolo became the Global Research Leader in Banking and Financial Markets at the IBM Institute for Business Value. In this role, he leads research initiatives that provide strategic insights to top financial institutions. His work focuses on digital transformation, advising financial institutions on how to adapt to emerging technologies and platform-based business models.
 

Throughout his career, Paolo has been a leading voice in fintech innovation. He is the author of several books, with one of his most well-known works being Banks and Fintech on Platform Economies (published by WILEY in 2021). This book explores how platform theory is transforming the financial services industry, shifting focus from selling business outputs to selling client outcomes. The book delves into the concept of Contextual Banking and Conscious Banking, providing a roadmap for banks to embrace new digital business models.

Paolo has also contributed to the wealth management and investment sectors through his research and publications. In 2015, he published Modern Portfolio Management: From Markowitz to Probabilistic Scenario Optimisation, which offers a new approach to portfolio management based on Goal-Based Investing and Probabilistic Scenario Optimisation (PSO). The book challenges traditional methods like Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) and presents a more dynamic and adaptive approach to asset allocation. His other significant works include FinTech Innovation: From Robo-Advisors to Goal-Based Investing and Gamification (published in 2016 by WILEY), which examines the rise of fintech and the growing influence of Robo-Advisors in the wealth management industry.
 

In addition to his work at IBM, Paolo has been involved in various advisory roles. 
 

In 2024, Paolo launched The Bankers’ Bookshelf, a podcast where he engages with bestselling authors and renowned researchers to discuss the latest trends and research in banking and fintech. The podcast has become a valuable resource for professionals looking to stay informed about the evolving financial landscape.

As of 2025, Paolo continues to lead research at IBM and advises financial institutions on the adoption of digital transformation strategies. He remains an influential voice in the fields of banking, fintech, and financial markets. He continues to write and speak on the subjects of platform-based business models, digital banking, and financial innovation. His books and research have earned him recognition as a thought leader in the fintech community. 

Paolo Sironi's vision is to transform the financial services industry by driving innovation through technology. He believes that financial institutions must shift from focusing on business outputs to prioritising client outcomes. His vision centres around the adoption of platform-based business models, such as Banking-as-a-Service and Banking-as-a-Platform, to create more adaptable, efficient, and client-focused services. He also advocates for greater transparency in financial markets and the integration of emerging technologies, such as blockchain and fintech, to enhance decision-making and improve financial outcomes for individuals, businesses, and societies. This vision aims to shape the future of banking in a more inclusive and sustainable way

Paolo Sironi has received significant recognition for his contributions to the financial and fintech industries. His book, Banks and Fintech on Platform Economies, has become a bestseller and is widely regarded as a key resource in understanding the future of banking and fintech. He has also been recognised for his leadership in digital transformation and his expertise in platform-based business models. Paolo is often invited to speak at global events and has been acknowledged for his research and insights that help shape the direction of financial markets, risk management, and the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking sector.