Mind the Tech London 2025
Bank Leumi CEO: We are establishing a GenAI hub to revolutionize the banking sector
“We have already recruited an impressive team of talents, who have demonstrated extraordinary capabilities,” noted Hanan Friedman, speaking at the Mind the Tech Conference in London.
Bank Leumi is establishing a dedicated generative AI hub aimed at transforming the Israeli banking sector, CEO Hanan Friedman announced at the Mind the Tech conference in London on Tuesday. The hub will tackle a series of defined challenges designed to unlock the full potential of AI for financial services, promising what Friedman called a “remarkable revolution” in customer experience and operational efficiency.
“This hub will soon realize the potential of the GenAI revolution for the benefit of our customers,” Friedman said. “We defined for the hub a set of challenges, and solving them will lead to a remarkable revolution in the banking sector.
“We have already recruited an impressive team of talents, who have demonstrated extraordinary capabilities, including in their military service at the recent war. After a short period, they have already proved their capability to solve the challenges we set for them. I must admit that usually I define targets that are not really achievable in short term. This time, I was shocked they successfully achieved the KPIs ahead of schedule.”
Friedman added: “They are now bringing along their colleagues from the elite units they served in to expand this team even further.
“They will bring their unique knowledge and expertise, and we will bring our vast financial experience. Together, we will implement groundbreaking innovation for the benefit of our customers and stakeholders.”
AI as a Must-Have, Not a Nice-to-Have
Friedman placed the AI Hub within the broader context of the generative AI revolution, which he described as the most significant technological shift of our time. Companies that fail to integrate AI effectively risk losing relevance, he said, while advanced AI models now make it possible to manage complex processes in real time and deliver services previously considered operationally impossible.
“AI capabilities became a must-have, not just a nice-to-have,” Friedman said, highlighting the strategic importance of adopting AI across industries, particularly in finance.
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Israeli Tech Resilience Amid Conflict
Beyond the hub, Friedman highlighted the continued resilience of Israel’s technology ecosystem, despite ongoing conflict in Gaza. Israeli tech investments exceeded $5 billion in the first half of 2025, up 10% from the previous year, and recent exits underscored strong global confidence in Israeli innovation.
“These are not easy times for any Israeli,” Friedman said, acknowledging the unresolved plight of hostages and the broader impact of the war. Yet he emphasized that Israel’s tech industry continues to be a leading driver of economic growth and global inspiration.
“Our mission is to keep this unique ecosystem alive,” he said. “Thanks to Israel’s brilliant minds, like those we have recruited to our bank, and like so many of you in this room, Israel truly remains the Start-Up Nation.”
Friedman closed with a plea for the immediate return of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, noting that national resilience will remain incomplete until they are safely home.
