The Mortgage Financing Innovation Forum – Saudi Arabia 2025, hosted by Newgen Software and organized by the International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA), took place on 10th November 2025 at the Narcissus Hotel, Riyadh.
The forum brought together senior mortgage leaders, banking executives, policymakers, and technology innovators to explore how artificial intelligence, automation, and smart credit decisioning are transforming the mortgage and lending landscape across the Kingdom.
Vision 2030 in Action
The discussions throughout the forum reflected a clear direction - Saudi Arabia’s mortgage ecosystem is entering a new phase of digital maturity. The transformation is moving beyond digitization into intelligent, data-driven orchestration.
Banks and lending institutions are now integrating AI into credit decisioning, reimagining customer journeys, and aligning processes with the goals of Vision 2030 - to deliver a more inclusive, efficient, and transparent financial sector.
Technology is no longer a supporting function; it is becoming the operating foundation ofmodern lending.
Leadership and Key Voices
The forum began with “The Blueprint Unfolds”, a welcome address by Prashant Sahai, Vice President – Sales, Middle East, Newgen Software, who spoke about how Saudi Arabia’s mortgage sector is primed for reinvention through digital-first strategies, data automation, and human-centered innovation.
This was followed by the Opening Keynote, “Architecting the Future: Smart Mortgages for Vision 2030 & Beyond”, delivered by Ravish Sheikh, Retail Banking Practice Lead – Delivery, Newgen Software. He emphasized that digital home financing is no longer an aspiration, it’s the framework through which institutions can achieve scale, trust, and sustainability.
Roshan Punnilath, Chief Transformation Officer, in his session “Voices of Change,” discussed how customer experience, regulatory modernization, and data agility are now the cornerstones of mortgage transformation in the Kingdom.
The highlight of the day was the Power Panel: “Intelligent Lending Orchestrated with AI,” featuring a distinguished lineup of experts:
● Jasneet Paintal, Partner, EY
● Aymen Belhedi, Digital & Technology Transformation Leader, KPMG Saudi Arabia
● Mayank Sharma, Head of Product and Sales, Newgen Software
● Abdulaziz Musawa, VP, Real Estate Finance Product Development & Management, Riyad Bank
● Raied Alhassan, VP & Head of Retail Asset Products, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) KSA
The session, moderated by Mohammed Thoufiq, Vice President – Strategic Partnerships, ICSA, explored how AI-driven lending is reshaping credit risk, streamlining workflows, and improving speed-to-serve, while maintaining the human connection that builds trust.
Later, Ravish Sheikh returned with “AI-first Credit Decisioning: The Tech Deep Dive”, offering a detailed look at how AI and automation are enabling smarter, faster, and fairer credit models.
Key Themes from the Discussions
● AI-powered credit decisioning transforming how lenders assess, approve, and manage risk
● Smart mortgage ecosystems built around agility, transparency, and customer experience
● Data orchestration and automation driving efficiency across the lending lifecycle
● Digital-first compliance and governance aligning with regulatory priorities
● Collaboration between banks, fintechs, and regulators to build a resilient mortgage market
The tone of the forum remained grounded in practicality - transformation is no longer theoretical.It’s about building systems that combine intelligence, compliance, and human trust.
Networking and Collaboration
The day concluded with a Networking Lunch, themed “Breaking Bread, Building Collaboration,” offering an opportunity for meaningful dialogue and partnership building among participants, reaffirming the forum’s role as a platform where innovation meets action.
About the Organizer
The International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA) is a global organization that designs platforms for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and leadership dialogue across industries including banking, technology, sustainability, and digital transformation.
ICSA convenes decision-makers, innovators, and policy leaders through high-impact executive forums, strategic summits, and thought leadership initiatives to shape the futureof business and finance.
Learn more at www.intercsa.com