In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Efi Chatziantoniou, Chief Operating Officer of Snappi; Leda Glyptis, a client-first executive, advisor, author, and speaker; and Julie Sutton, Head of Growth for Europe at Paymentology. Together, they break down how Snappi built trust, simplified banking, and leapfrogged legacy systems in one of Europe's most traditionally branch-led markets.

What You’ll Learn:

How Snappi leveraged the post-COVID digital acceleration to transform Greece's traditionally branch-focused banking landscape
Why trust and simplicity are non-negotiable foundations for building a successful digital bank
The strategic advantages of launching as a joint venture with an incumbent bank
How to balance regulatory compliance with user experience in European banking
Why real-time payment capabilities and granular spend controls are becoming essential features for digital banks
The importance of financial literacy initiatives in driving digital banking adoption

Efi Chatziantoniou is the Chief Operating Officer of Snappi, Greece's first fully licensed digital-only bank. As a pioneering leader in digital banking transformation, she brings vast expertise in operational excellence and customer-centric banking solutions. Her work in launching and scaling Snappi shows her commitment to simplifying banking while maintaining trust and regulatory compliance, making her insights particularly valuable for fintech professionals navigating the digital banking landscape.

Leda Glyptis is a self-described "banker in recovery," digital builder, and author with almost 30 years of experience in banking transformation. Her background in both traditional banking and digital innovation provides unique insights into the challenges and opportunities facing modern financial institutions. Leda is also the author of "Beyond Resilience" and “Bankers Like Us.”

Julie Sutton serves as the Head of Growth for Europe at Paymentology, specialising in payment processing solutions and emerging market trends. Her expertise in payment infrastructure and real-time processing capabilities offers valuable insights for financial institutions looking to modernise their payment systems. Her understanding of Europe's diverse banking landscape and market-specific requirements makes her contribution especially relevant for organisations expanding across European markets.

Episode Resources:

Efi Chatziantoniou on LinkedIn
Leda Glyptis on LinkedIn
Julie Sutton on LinkedIn
Snappi Website
Beyond Resilience Book
Bankers Like Us Book
Merusha Naidu on LinkedIn
Paymentology Website

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