Mark Williams is Chief Revenue Officer for the Americas (AMERS) at Datasite, a leading SaaS platform used by enterprises globally to execute complex, strategic projects.
In his role, Mark is responsible for setting and executing the sales strategy across the region, including leading over 170 sales representatives, sales leaders and pre-sales teams across the United States, Canada, and Latin America.
Prior to joining Datasite in 2015, Mark held several sales leadership roles at a variety of SaaS companies, including SmartFocus and Kno.
With the Trump administration returning, what major shifts in banking regulations do you foresee?
Following the election there was a broad expectation that the incoming administration would be business-friendly, with a more accommodating regulatory environment. The recent whipsawing on tariffs and other policy issues has cooled enthusiasm in certain sectors. Still, for banking, there are expectations that there will be changes in leadership oversight and less stringent rules, which could lead to more innovation in financial technology and digital assets. Yet, at the same time, scrutiny of banks’ resilience and risk management is expected to continue.
How will Trump’s economic policies impact interest rates, inflation, and their effect on banking sector performance?
While the administration’s policies aim to foster economic growth, they also introduce uncertainties. For example, policies promoting energy independence and deregulation could help decrease the 10-year Treasury yield, yet potential inflation from possible tariffs and an increasing budget deficit may counteract these activities, which could lead to higher inflation and interest rates, presenting challenges for the banking sector.
The rise of super-regional banks has been a growing trend—what’s driving this, and how do you see it evolving?
Some large regional banks have certainly grown rapidly in the past decade and more recently, improved financing conditions and lower borrowing costs have helped. Additionally, now that the US election is over, there is less uncertainty that may have suppressed borrowing. Yet, whether this trajectory continues is unclear, as these banks will continue to face close oversight on their resilience and risk management.
Are fintech acquisitions likely to become a bigger priority for banks looking to strengthen their digital offerings?
Like every other industry, banks continue to focus on artificial intelligence (AI), which is poised to drive significant investment and deal activity. Acquiring AI startups or partnering with established fintech firms can allow banks to stay competitive and capture market share in a rapidly evolving landscape, without having to create AI tools themselves. This trend is already evident on Datasite, which annually facilitates close to 15,000 news deals. New technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) deal volume shot up 15% globally this January compared to last, heralding a banner year for tech deals in 2025. Sinde these are deals at their inception, rather than announced, it provides a good indication of what’s ahead. At the same time, banks will be expected to continue to deliver fairness, transparency and security.
With geopolitical tensions rising, how might cross-border banking M&A deals be impacted?
On the one hand, cross-border transactions could increase as global organizations seek to establish or expand U.S. operations to hedge against potential tariff changes. On the other hand, a protectionist approach from the new US administration could limit cross-border deals from taking place. Still, the business-friendly agenda of President Trump’s administration is likely to spur deal activity. New deal volume on Datasite rose 14% globally this January compared to last, signaling a return of M&A in 2025. Look for these transactions to start hitting the news in Q2 2025.
Generative AI is revolutionizing industries—how do you see it transforming the financial sector?
GenAI isn’t just a target for investment; it’s also transforming the way deals are done, from powering data analysis, to easing due diligence processes. For example, GenAI-powered tools can assist dealmakers face the previous resource intense job of collecting and analyzing data and documents during due diligence by helping dealmakers quickly sort and summarize content. By surfacing core clauses and notable relevant obligations to those involved in the deal, GenAI tools can rapidly reduce the time involved in the processing of documents. For instance, it can streamline the organization and categorization of files needed for review during due diligence, reducing human error and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
GenAI can also help identify potential M&A targets for buyers, by triangulating different market signals such as company description, geographic fit, and size criteria. By using private, public and paid data, some AI-powered applications are already helping dealmakers identify deal targets faster. This approach can mean that companies are in a better position to integrate new capabilities when the deal is completed to deliver the consistent growth that was intended by the tie-up.
With growing concerns over data privacy, do you foresee stricter regulations on AI use in finance?
The regulatory landscape is evolving. Yet, as AI becomes more integrated into M&A workflows, for example, calls for regulation are growing louder. Dealmakers must navigate this shifting environment carefully, balancing innovation with compliance. Staying informed about regulatory changes and adapting strategies accordingly will be critical. Still, AI adoption in M&A is gaining momentum. Two-thirds of global dealmakers said exploring AI tools is a top priority in 2025, as many report using these tools can provide productivity gains of up to 50%.
Private credit is growing rapidly—how do you see this impacting traditional banking models?
Private credit has surged over the past couple of decades, filling the gap with faster, more flexible financing, especially as regulations have tightened. Banks are adapting by shifting to advisory roles, syndications, and partnerships with private credit firms. Going forward, banks will need to consider risk management and pricing strategies to remain competitive.
What do you think will be the biggest disruptor in banking over the next five years?
AI is already transforming risk assessment, fraud detection, and customer service, allowing fintechs and technology companies to offer faster, cheaper, and more personalized financial products. Traditional banks that fail to integrate AI effectively risk falling behind.
Thank you for the great interview. Readers who wish to learn more about Mark’s company can visit Datasite.