June 23, 2026, Budapest, Hungary – The Hungarian Fintech Association hosted a dynamic Business Breakfast today, bringing together industry professionals to explore the latest trends shaping SME banking across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The event, organised by the Hungarian Fintech Association with the support of Sonia Lauri and hosted by KPMG Hungary, created a vibrant platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and forward-looking discussion.
Opening the session, Olena Gryniuk, CEE Director at the SME Banking Club, presented key insights from the Digital SME Banking CEE Study, offering a comprehensive overview of how digital SME banking has evolved over the past year. Her presentation highlighted the growing importance of digital transformation, speed of service, and customer-centric solutions in meeting the needs of SMEs across the region.
The study findings underlined a clear shift in market expectations, with SMEs increasingly demanding faster access to financing, seamless digital experiences, and integrated financial services. Olena also emphasized that banks must adapt quickly to remain competitive in a landscape where innovation cycles are accelerating and customer expectations continue to rise.
Following the presentation, an expert panel discussion brought together leading voices from the fintech and banking ecosystem. The panel featured Olena Gryniuk, Dr. András Rung (UX Strategist, Ergomania), and Katalin Kauzli (Partnerhub), who shared their perspectives on key developments impacting SME banking.
The discussion addressed several critical topics:
- Artificial Intelligence in SME banking – Panelists explored how AI is transforming credit decisioning, customer onboarding, and operational efficiency, enabling faster and more accurate services.
- Regional e-invoicing trends – The growing adoption of online invoicing solutions and e-invoicing mandatory schemes across CEE was highlighted as a key driver of automation and improved cash flow management for SMEs.
- Business ecosystems for SMEs – Speakers emphasized the role of integrated ecosystems connecting banks, fintechs, and third-party providers to deliver end-to-end solutions within SME workflows.
- Competition between banks and fintechs – The panel examined the evolving competitive landscape, where fintech players are pushing banks to innovate faster and deliver more agile, customer-focused services.
A recurring theme throughout the session was the critical importance of cash flow for SMEs, and the need for financial institutions to provide real-time, accessible, and embedded financial solutions that align with the day-to-day operations of businesses.
The event reflected the growing momentum of the fintech ecosystem in Hungary and the broader CEE region, demonstrating the importance of collaboration between banks, fintech companies, consultants, and technology providers in driving meaningful innovation.
The Hungarian Fintech Association Business Breakfast concluded with strong engagement from participants, reinforcing the value of such forums in fostering dialogue and accelerating the development of future-ready SME banking solutions.
