USW Students Experience Fintech in Practice During Hodge Bank Visit

MBA Global students from the Faculty of Business and Creative Industries at the University of South Wales (USW) visited Hodge Bank on 21 October 2025 to gain first-hand insight into how the bank operates, innovates and uses technology to support its business strategy.

During the visit, students heard from Mr Gareth Cartwright, Colleague Experience Leader at Hodge Bank, and other members of the Hodge Bank team about the organisation’s strategic priorities. They also had the opportunity to ask questions and explore how digital tools are helping to shape the future of finance.

The visit included a tour of Hodge Bank’s offices, giving students a practical view of a modern workplace and demonstrating how business and technology come together in practice.

Dr Hai Nguyen from USW and Mr Gareth Cartwright from Hodge Bank are also exploring ways to deepen collaboration in the future, including student projects, industry insight and opportunities that support learning while addressing business challenges.

The initiative reflects the shared commitment of USW and Fintech Wales to connecting students with employers and creating career-ready experiences.

Gareth Cartwright, Colleague Experience Leader at Hodge Bank, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the USW students to Hodge, and I was definitely put through my paces by their insightful and thought-provoking questions. The future of talented individuals coming through the ranks is really exciting to see!”