2026 marks a defining turning point for Open Banking in Canada. With the Consumer-Driven Banking Act now law, the question is no longer if Open Banking will arrive – it’s whether Canada can build a system that people actually use, trust, and recommend.
As headline sponsor of Open Banking Expo Canada 2026, Symcor is helping make this Canada’s build year by connecting regulation, infrastructure, and real‑world customer journeys and by grounding the conversation in evidence, not speculation.
A new pulse check on Canada’s readiness
Last year, Symcor and Open Banking Expo Canada conducted a joint industry survey, ‘Open Banking in Canada: From Possibility to Progress‘, gathering insights from leaders across banking, fintech, technology, and data services.
The findings reveal a picture of cautious but undeniable momentum:
- Momentum is real: 82% of organizations are exploring, planning, or piloting Open Banking initiatives.
- Competition is driving action: 64% cite competitive pressure as a key motivator, alongside improved customer experience and new revenue opportunities.
- Readiness gaps persist: Only 8% feel “very prepared” for regulatory obligations, and just 17% believe their technology stack is ready.
- Partnerships matter: More than half are already partnering with fintechs and data platforms to accelerate readiness.
For Expo delegates, this survey offers a practical benchmark: Where do we stand relative to peers and what will it take to close the gaps?
Symcor will explore these themes throughout the Expo, beginning on the main stage.
A Keynote for Canada’s build year
On the main stage, Saba Shariff, senior vice president, chief strategy, product & innovation officer at Symcor (main image), opens the Expo with: ‘Canada’s Build Year: Turning the Open Banking Mandate into Momentum’.
Drawing on global lessons and Symcor’s role as a trusted industry utility, Saba will explore:
- Why mandate ≠ momentum, and why adoption hinges on customer experiences as much as APIs
- The three rails successful Open Banking markets consistently get right
- A pragmatic build plan for Canada that prioritizes high‑impact journeys over high‑level frameworks
It’s a session designed for leaders who want Open Banking to move from slideware to production and who are ready to help Canada build the system it deserves.
Trusted partnerships on the Main Stage
Symcor’s Joyce Wong
Following the keynote, Joyce Wong, vice president, Open Banking & payments at Symcor, moderates: ‘Advancing Open Banking in Canada Through Trusted Partnerships’.
Featuring leaders from TD Bank and Yodlee, this panel will discuss the growing reliance on external partners to explore:
- The role of a trusted intermediary in a Canadian context
- How to avoid ecosystem fragmentation as more players connect to shared rails
- The partnership decisions banks, credit unions, and fintechs must make in the next 12–18 months to prepare for read‑access in 2026
This is where strategy meets operational reality.
From screen scraping to secure rails: Visit Symcor’s booth
On the Expo floor, delegates can see how readiness moves from theory to application.
Symcor’s booth will showcase COR.CONNECT, the secure, consent‑based Open Banking platform designed to help financial institutions eliminate screen scraping and transition to standardized, API‑driven data sharing – a core theme reflected across Symcor’s industry materials.
Visitors can:
- Experience live demos showing how COR.CONNECT handles compliant data exchange, consent management, and partner onboarding
- Complete a quick onsite survey for a chance to win a prize
- Speak with Symcor experts about practical steps to close technology and readiness gaps surfaced in the joint survey
Whether you’re a bank, credit union, fintech, or ecosystem partner, Symcor’s booth connects the dots between survey insights, main‑stage perspectives, and real‑world implementation paths.
Click here to find out more about the agenda, speakers, and exhibitors – and register to attend.
