Driving innovation together: CIBC × Ivey IDIS 2025

Since 2022, CIBC has partnered with the Ivey Business School’s Ivey Digital Innovation Studio (IDIS) to create a unique platform for co-exploration. Together, business students and industry leaders examine emerging trends, exchange diverse perspectives and experiment with next-generation technologies shaping the future of financial services.

• Understanding the needs of future clients: Students explored how the banking landscape is evolving to meet the needs of young professionals, students, and other emerging client segments. They examined the appeal of digital-first banking models, their strengths in mobile user experience and how traditional institutions can adapt by integrating innovation and leveraging existing strengths.
• How and when extended reality (XR) will intersect with banking: With XR technologies gaining momentum, students imagined immersive banking experiences, such as virtual branches and remote client advisory in immersive environments. They evaluated factors influencing XR adoption, identified elements of a positive client experience, and explored how global banks are experimenting with these technologies.
• The creator economy and financial services: As digital creators redefine entrepreneurship, students examined how financial institutions can better serve this growing client segment. They identified gaps in current offerings, explored branding and relationship models and proposed tools tailored to the unique needs of content-driven careers.

• Virtual networking: Students used XR-powered devices to step into virtual meeting spaces, engaging in activities like XR mini-golf and one-on-one conversations with CIBC representatives. These experiences offered a new context for professional connection and communication.
• AI customer roleplay: Participants navigated complex customer service scenarios using AI-powered simulations. XR headsets enabled role-playing with simulated clients, reinforcing the human element in digital banking through feedback on eye contact, tone and problem-solving.

Warren Ritchie, Assistant Professor of Strategy and Information Systems at Ivey Business School, highlighted the significance of these experiential learning opportunities. “The event has become an integral element of the Digital Management stream of Ivey’s Master of Science Program,” he said. “Students enter the experiential phase getting hands-on, testing the tools and reflecting on their real-world implications under the guidance and observation of CIBC executives. It has become the capstone activity in the students’ degree program.”

• Gain unique perspectives: By engaging with students, CIBC explored new ideas, approaches and expectations shaping the future of finance. These conversations offered valuable insights into evolving trends and their alignment with broader innovation strategies.
• Engage future leaders: Collaborating with students fostered dialogue with the next generation of thinkers and innovators, providing insights into how they view the challenges and opportunities shaping financial services.
• Explore emerging technologies: Hands-on exploration of XR and AI offered a closer look at their potential applications in banking. Through surveys and executive engagement, CIBC gathered valuable data on the perceived value, use cases and adoption of these technologies.

David Colby, Senior Vice-President, Enterprise Technology at CIBC, reflected on the value of this collaboration. “The value of this event lies in the diverse perspectives it brings together,” he said. “It allows us to understand what matters most to students, the approaches they take and the patterns of thought that emerge. This kind of collaboration serves as an opportunity to communicate and refine ideas in lasting ways.”

Maria Galindo, Senior Experiential Learning Coordinator at Ivey Business School, echoed this sentiment. “It has been a remarkable example of how academia and industry can come together to create real-world learning that generates meaningful impact,” she said. “It’s been incredible to see how this experience has opened career doors for our students and how CIBC continues to benefit from their talent, curiosity and fresh perspectives.”