In conversation with Hipp Gustavson (Head of EasyFS) and Gerd Müller (Head of Card Personalization) at Tieto, we explore how banks can navigate legacy challenges, unlock new value through card products, and prepare for an always-on, real-time financial landscape.
- Can you start by telling us more about your company, its mission, history, and the key areas you focus on within the fintech industry?
Tieto delivers mission-critical software for financial institutions. With 14,000 experts across software, cloud, and AI, we help banks build resilient, compliant, and scalable services.
Tieto Banktech has over 30 years of experience in the Baltics. We focus on modular banking infrastructure, particularly core banking and card personalization, helping institutions modernize legacy systems and launch services faster without compromising security.
- What unique value or innovation does your company bring to the fintech industry, and how do you see this evolving in the next 3–5 years?
I would say our strength is connecting digital infrastructure with physical payment execution.
With EasyFS, banks can replace legacy systems with a modular, API-driven platform in months. Our card personalization services provide access to a broad portfolio and production network through a single partner, ensuring consistency across digital and physical journeys. As payments move to real-time, this integration becomes critical, with a shift toward AI-driven services and continuous processing.
There is still significant untapped potential in card products. Many issuers treat cards as a cost and limit premium offerings to private banking, which is a small segment. The card is one of the few customer-facing products banks fully control. Used differently, it can drive engagement, strengthen brand, and generate revenue. We see growing demand for more distinctive options, from unique designs to premium card formats that help banks stand out.
Last chance: Get your tickets for Baltic Fintech Days May 13
- What are the biggest challenges your clients currently face, and how is your company addressing these challenges?
Banks face pressure from regulation, real-time payments, and legacy infrastructure. Instant payments require 24/7 processing and real-time liquidity visibility, while many systems remain batch-based.
EasyFS addresses this with a compliant, API-driven core that enables automation and faster adaptation.
On the issuing side, differentiation is key. The card remains a visible touchpoint, and personalization helps banks stand out. We support this with scalable production and fast delivery of digital and physical cards.
- How do you see the fintech landscape changing in the Baltic region, and what role do you envision your company playing in that transformation?
The Baltic fintech market is mature and competitive, with strong digital infrastructure. The next phase is real-time. Payments, liquidity and data must operate continuously, while banks prepare for digital currencies and multi-rail environments. Our role is to provide the infrastructure behind this shift, enabling growth without added complexity.
- Can you share a specific success story or a client anecdote that exemplifies the impact of your solutions?
A clear example is the shift in authentication and payments. What once relied on PIN codes and physical processes has moved to secure, real-time digital authentication with instant access to services.
We support this with strong authentication, secure card issuance, and reliable delivery, enabling seamless experiences without compromising security.
Last chance: Get your tickets for Baltic Fintech Days May 13
- What is your company’s approach to innovation, and how do you ensure you stay ahead in a rapidly evolving fintech market?
Our approach is based on continuous development aligned with market and regulatory change.
We evolve our solutions in line with real-time payments, API driven ecosystems and relevant ISO standards. Customer input is central, while ongoing investment in usability and automation keeps our services competitive.
- Looking forward, what are your top priorities or milestones for the coming year, and how will these impact your clients or the fintech ecosystem?
We are introducing a new EasyFS interface to simplify operations and improve efficiency, while preparing for frameworks like PSD3. We are also expanding card personalization and strengthening supply resilience to support faster product launches. Our focus is to help institutions operate in a real-time, always-on environment where speed, control, and scalability are critical.
