Interview with Marion Fogli - Adapting, learning and evolving: the key to transforming finance

Ms. Fogli, you are Deputy CEO of Alpian Bank. How important is skills development at your bank?

At Alpian, we believe that learning is a continuous process. In an ever-changing industry, adapting and developing skills is essential, both in technical terms and in terms of human and managerial competencies.

We make a point of creating an active learning environment, where our employees can evolve, test, make mistakes and learn. This means structured training, but also a culture that encourages experimentation and exchange.

A concrete example? We often assume that everyone knows how to manage their personal budget or make informed financial decisions, when in reality these are skills that few people have actually learned. Similarly, becoming a manager does not automatically mean knowing how to manage a team. That's why we invest in training, so that our employees have the tools they need to develop with confidence.

How would you describe the management philosophy at your bank?

Our vision of management is pragmatic and progressive. It's not a fixed model, but a balance between autonomy, support and continuous learning.

One of the major challenges in a fast-growing company is to maintain fluid communication and a consistent culture, especially when teams are changing rapidly. That's why we set up regular assessments, such as the Employee NPS, to understand how our employees experience their daily lives and adjust our practices accordingly.

We also believe in empowerment, but with a human approach: a good manager doesn't have all the answers, and must be able to say "I don't know". We encourage this transparency, which avoids wasting time and builds trust within teams.

In short, our management philosophy is based on adaptability, listening and continuous improvement. We move forward with humility, constantly seeking to improve with our teams.

What do you expect from your managers in terms of management, and how do you support them in their training?

We expect our managers to be benchmarks and facilitators, capable of creating an environment where their teams can flourish and give their best.

A key element of our approach is the integration of new employees. In many companies, a new arrival may remain unknown to the other heads of department for lack of a direct link. That's why every newcomer meets all the department heads on arrival, who explain not only their role, but also how their team fits into the bank as a whole. This makes it easier to understand who does what, and creates a dynamic of exchange right from the start.

We also provide our managers with training, in the knowledge that management is a constant learning process. Leading a team cannot be improvised, and even what seems basic is never totally acquired. We also encourage healthy ego management: a manager needs to recognize his or her limits, rather than pretending to master everything. This transparency strengthens credibility and cohesion within teams.

In short, we offer our managers the tools and freedom to learn and grow in their role, while placing the human bond at the heart of management.

The ISFB Future of Finance certificate will start very soon (March 2025). What major challenges do you see in this area, and how can this program offer concrete solutions?

The financial sector is undergoing a major transformation, with digitalization, open banking, artificial intelligence and sustainable finance. These developments create both opportunities and challenges for industry professionals, who must continually adapt their skills.

One of the major challenges, in my opinion, is that finance is becoming more complex, whereas it should be more accessible.

This is why ISFB's Future of Finance program is particularly relevant. It provides concrete skills for navigating this changing environment and better supporting customers. It's not just about understanding technology and regulation, but also about making finance clearer and more transparent.

At Alpian, we are convinced that education and accessibility are the keys to fairer finance. This type of training enables professionals not only to keep pace with market developments, but also to make an active contribution to finance that is closer to customers' real needs.

Your bank works regularly with the ISFB. What benefits does your bank derive from this collaboration?

Our collaboration with ISFB is based on a shared conviction: continuing education is essential to the development of the banking sector.

This collaboration gives our teams privileged access to high-quality training, adapted to the fast-changing world of finance. We want our staff to remain at the cutting edge, not only in technical aspects, but also in the human and managerial skills that are just as essential in our business.

In addition to training, the ISFB is a genuine forum for exchange. We have the opportunity to share our ideas, learn from the experiences of other institutions and actively participate in the transformation of finance.

At Alpian, we aspire to a different kind of banking: more accessible, more human. Education and the sharing of knowledge are essential levers for achieving this, and that's why we value this collaboration with the ISFB.

Marion Fogli

Deputy CEO (Banque Alpian)

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