The Financial Academy's active participation in Money20/20 Middle East, held in Riyadh from 14 to 16 September 2026, made a notable impression and generated widespread knowledge momentum — reflecting the Academy's pioneering role as a strategic partner in human capital development and in supporting innovation within the financial sector.

This participation was highlighted by the Academy's organization of the "Capital Market Innovation Hackathon," the first of its kind in the Kingdom for its specialized focus on the Saudi capital market. The Hackathon was organized in collaboration with the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and in strategic partnership with Sahm Capital, bringing together developers, data scientists, designers, and finance professionals to develop innovative solutions addressing real challenges in capital markets — in support of financial innovation and in pursuit of Saudi Vision 2030 targets.

Since its launch, the Hackathon attracted more than 500 applicants, of whom 60 male and female participants were selected and organized into specialized teams. Twelve innovative ideas advanced to the finals, competing to present promising technology-driven solutions that serve the future of the financial sector. Following evaluation by a judging panel composed of experts and specialists, team "Idraj.Ai" was crowned in first place, team "Hawkam.tech" claimed second place, and team "Floc" came in third.

As part of the Academy's collaborative efforts with partners across the financial sector, it delivered awareness sessions through the STC Bank pavilion over the three days of the event, aimed at equipping participants with practical insights and future-ready skills. Day One sessions opened with an exploration of "The Future of the Financial Sector," followed by an overview of "Jobs and Skills 2030" covering promising vacancies and specializations, and a spotlight on modern standards in "Testing and Competency Assessment."

Day Two discussions focused on "The Importance of Professional Certifications" in building a specialized career path, the role of "Innovation in the Financial Sector" in driving growth, and the cognitive skills required for making "Smarter Financial Decisions." The awareness activities concluded with sessions on "Readiness and Professional Ethics," key strategies for combating "Financial Fraud," and applications of "Cybersecurity" in safeguarding the integrity and security of digital transactions.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Academy, Mr. Mane Al-Khamsan, also participated in a panel discussion titled "From Access to Empowerment: Financial Empowerment as Infrastructure," held as part of the conference's programme. Additionally, the Academy hosted a dedicated exhibition pavilion that drew large numbers of visitors and experts keen to learn about the Academy's latest initiatives and training programs, in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 targets.