In a financial world divided between legacy institutions struggling to modernize and FinTechs struggling to monetize, I operate as the strategic link. I am a Non-Executive Director, Strategic Advisor, and former CEO who specializes in technology-driven turnarounds and institutional growth across the DACH region and the Middle East.

My approach is not just about digital transformation; it is about Technological Sovereignty. I believe—and the data proves—that banks must own their core technology to control their margins and their destiny.

The Track Record: From Loss to Profit

I don't just advise on trends; I execute financial turnarounds.

  • Gulf International Bank (Bahrain/KSA): As a Board Member and Chair of the Innovation Committee, I helped steer a strategic turnaround from a $227m net loss (2018) to a $134.8m net profit (2024).
  • Addiko Bank (Vienna): As a Supervisory Board Member and business transformation lead, I guided the transformation of a break-even, branch-heavy universal bank into a focused, profitable, digital-driven consumer & SME specialist.
  • PayU (Global): Served on the Risk Advisory Board during a period culminating in a $610m exit for the Eastern Europe/Africa/Latam division.

Governance & Capital

I serve on the boards of institutions that define the future of finance, acting as a bridge between European engineering and Middle Eastern capital (Vision 2030):

  • Board Member: Gulf International Bank (Bahrain) and Tawrid (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia).
  • Board Representative: Public Investment Fund (PIF), Riyadh.
  • Supervisory Board: Addiko Bank AG (Vienna) and Hauck & Aufhäuser Innovative Capital (Frankfurt).

Operational Roots

My board perspective is grounded in deep operational reality.

  • The Challenger: As CEO of Fidor (2013-2015), I led the world's first Neobank, winning Celent's "Model Bank of the Year" and pioneering crypto banking and open API banking.
  • The Incumbent: Spent 20 years at Deutsche Bank, rising to Director of Strategy & Innovation, preparing billion-euro IT transformations.
  • The Futurist: Author of "Tomorrow's Money" and "42 Megatrends".

My Focus

I partner with shareholders and CEOs to:

  1. De-risk Innovation: translating "hype" (AI, Web3) into governed, profitable business lines.
  2. Restore Margins: replacing vendor dependency with proprietary IP.
  3. Bridge Regions: connecting the DACH financial ecosystem with MENA growth opportunities.

📧 Frank@FrankSchwab.de
🌐 FrankSchwab.de