On January 9, 2025, the Faculty of Finance, City University of Macau held a seminar as part of its finance seminar series at the Ho Yin Convention Center on the Taipa Campus. Mr. Mio Cheng Yu, General Manager of Business Development Department of Ant Bank Macau and Mr. Chan Cheuk Wa, Director of Securities Business, were invited as the speakers for the seminar with the theme of “Digital Banking - Smart Finance with Fintech”. Guests attending the seminar included Mr. Cheung Wai Kong, Dean and Mrs. Khong Yueng Wah, Associate Dean of the School of Finance, City University of Macau.

Mr. Chan Cheuk Wa, Director of Securities Business of Ant Bank (Macau), has 20 years of experience in the Greater Bay Area’s securities industry. A graduate of Oxford University's Business School, he has also served as a part-time lecturer at several universities. Mr. Mio Cheng Yu, General Manager of the Business Development Department at Ant Bank (Macau), focuses on integrating new financial services with internet-based wealth management and is dedicated to using fintech to build innovative services for Macau's internet banking sector. A seasoned expert in Macau's local payment industry, Mio has held managerial positions in major Chinese banks and payment institutions, specializing in payment solutions, advancing the electronic payment revolution in Macau, and promoting the adoption of mobile payments.

The seminar covered the three core elements of finance—consensus, credit, and resource allocation efficiency—as its starting point, emphasizing that the core value of digital banking lies in enhancing resource allocation efficiency. It highlighted how fintech can address pain points in traditional finance. The speakers pointed out that digital banks can effectively solve issues like long queuing times and cumbersome application processes. Additionally, digital banks leverage big data and machine learning to lower credit thresholds, enabling more users to benefit from inclusive finance. The seminar also showcased global examples of digital banking development, analyzing typical models in Asia, Europe, and Southeast Asia. For instance, China’s digital banks rely on a massive retail market to deliver inclusive financial services, while traditional banks in Southeast Asia face limitations in both the breadth and depth of their services.

The speakers also emphasized the integration of new digital financial models with Web 3.0 technologies, such as the application of cryptocurrency payments, which provide users with a full range of Web 3.0 banking services, including fund deposits and encrypted payment solutions, enhancing the overall user experience. They further introduced how digital finance enables everyday investors to access professional support through AI-driven stock selection and automated investment advisory features.

Students and faculty of the finance school expressed their gratitude to Mr. Mio Cheng Yu and Mr. Chan Cheuk Wa for their insightful presentations. They remarked that the lecture provided them with a comprehensive understanding of the potential of digital banking and its challenges to traditional finance. The event not only offered future finance professional new perspectives but also inspired students to consider how to enhance their competitiveness in the digital era.