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New York always offers a useful vantage point on the state of global finance, and the last few weeks have been no exception. Spending time in the city gave me the chance not only to step outside the day-to-day rhythm of work but also to listen closely to the conversations shaping the future of financial services. NYC doesn’t just do St Patrick’s Day — it feels more like St Patrick’s month, with no shortage of events across March. I couldn’t have attended as many as I did without the help of my network — for that, I am very grateful.
I kicked off the NYC St Patrick’s season at the Digital Irish Mixer (10th March). It was fantastic to see a few familiar faces, but I also made many new connections across different industries. Everyone had a great story and was willing to offer help — to me and to First Derivative. It was a very warming way to start the events and set the tone.
I spent part of the week at the 1LoD Financial Crime Summit, where regulators, financial institutions and technology leaders came together to discuss how the fight against financial crime is evolving. The formal sessions were valuable, but the real insight often came in conversations over coffee, in corridors and at the edges of panels.
AI/ML is the clear strategic priority for global banks. The question is no longer if but how fast they can scale AI.
Data fragmentation and outdated systems continue to be the biggest blockers. Technology ambition now exceeds data readiness.
Executives want clarity on residual risk, control effectiveness and future exposure — not operational detail.
Corporate Digital Identity, attribute reuse and event-driven monitoring are key, though operating models need to evolve.
Sanctions and global shifts require real-time monitoring, coordination and AI-supported impact assessment.
What stood out most was the shared recognition that the landscape is shifting quickly. Financial crime is more sophisticated, international and technology-enabled, while regulatory expectations continue to increase. Institutions are being asked to do more with systems not designed for today’s complexity.
There was also a clear tension around technology — when to commit, given how quickly it evolves, and how to counter bad actors using the same tools. As one cyber SME put it: firms must be fully protected at all times, while attackers only need one weakness.
This is putting pressure on traditional monitoring and compliance approaches. While better data, analytics and technology will help, there was a strong sense that technology alone won’t solve the challenge. The real opportunity lies in combining smarter tools with human judgement and experience.
Collaboration came through strongly as well. Financial crime doesn’t operate within neat organisational or geographic boundaries, and responses can’t either. There is a growing shift toward partnerships between industry, regulators and technology providers — something that mirrors the sense of community seen across the St Patrick’s events (with slightly less craic!).
My second week started with the Ireland U.S. Council’s annual St Patrick’s Lunch in Manhattan, bringing together business leaders, policymakers and the Irish diaspora. Now in its 65th year, the organisation has navigated significant change through collaboration, delivering positive outcomes for its members.
Ireland’s economic story has been deeply intertwined with the U.S., particularly in financial services and technology. Being in a room with people who have been part of that journey was a reminder of how important those connections are — and will remain.
A highlight was our own First Derivative St Patrick’s Day celebrations. It was a privilege to spend time with the team, seeing colleagues reconnect and share stories. Any jet lag was quickly forgotten as we laughed the night away as a team. We’ve built strong foundations in Q1 and are looking forward to building on them in Q2.
For my final event, I was grateful to represent First Derivative at a session with Minister Peter Burke TD at the new J.P. Morgan HQ. His remarks on the strength of the Ireland–U.S. relationship stood out, particularly his description of the Atlantic as a “bridge” between the two countries — something that strongly resonates with our own journey.
Weeks like this are always valuable because they bring together different perspectives. A financial crime conference and St Patrick’s events may seem very different, but both ultimately touch on the same themes — how global finance is changing, how institutions respond, and how relationships across markets shape the future.
It is only when stepping outside the office and into these broader discussions that the bigger picture becomes clear.
