While UBS launched its R&D center in Israel just over a year ago, the firm says it already sees how the small country can make a massive impact on its goal to have technology as the differentiator in what it’s doing.

“It’s important for us to really work with ecosystems,” said Paul McEwen, UBS’ global head of Technology Services. “Israel, to us, is really important. We started our R&D here just over a year ago and we will triple in size over the next 18 months. It really connects us to the ecosystem. Whether it’s cybersecurity, or as we drive to the cloud and we are looking for different techniques in what we do. It truly does help us drive the differentiation in what we are doing.”

Today, the firm works with Israeli companies like Transmit Security, BigID, and Guardicore. It is looking at three other companies as well, and while McEwen would not share their names, it sure hints at a long future for UBS Global in the Startup Nation.

You can watch the entire exchange in the video above.