Digital transactions nearing 90% at leading banks reveal core technology deficiencies, prompting over 50% in Asia Pacific to adopt microservices for enhanced agility and scalability

Global trade is facing significant challenges as sanctions, tariffs, and shifting supply chains reshape the landscape. At the same time, digitalisation and emerging technologies are creating new pathways for efficiency and growth, particularly in regions like ASEAN and South Asia.

In an interview at Sibos 2024, Xu Li, chairman of Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank (SHRCB), and Huang Zhao, general manager of trade finance department, shared how the bank is meeting the increasingly complex financial needs of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Unveiled at Sibos in Beijing, the 2024 TAB Global 1000 ranking highlights BOCHK, BIBD, Public Bank, and Vietcombank as the strongest banks in their markets, showcasing resilience and financial strength in a competitive global landscape.

In a discussion with Zhou Wenkai, vice president of Bank of Nanjing, during SIBOS, he outlined the bank's strategic focus on expanding its international and transaction banking services by leveraging its local insights and client base in the Yangtze River Delta. The bank has total assets amounting to RMB 2.28 trillion ($320 billion), ranking fifth among all city commercial banks in China. China's evolving international trade relationships present key opportunities for transaction banking, to which the bank has made a strong commitment to support local SMEs.

While asset growth of world’s 1000 largest banks remained stable, loan and deposit growth slowed

North America and Asia Pacific banks maintain overall balance sheet strength over those in other regions, with the Middle East showing some improvements. Profitability among all 1000 banks improved, driven by higher interest rates, while asset quality indicators stayed stable.

At Sibos 2024 in Beijing, BNY and Mizuho Bank jointly announced an agreement to collaborate on enhancing global trade services, further solidifying their positions in the international trade finance landscape. The partnership aims to leverage BNY’s extensive network and Mizuho Bank’s growing corporate client base to create seamless and efficient trade finance solutions for their customers.

At Sibos 2024 in Beijing, Mehdi Manaa, CEO of Buna, took centre stage to discuss how the platform is revolutionising cross-border payments in the Arab region and its future impact beyond. Launched by the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) in 2020, Buna is a regional payment platform that facilitates seamless international payments and settlements across multiple currencies. It addresses long-standing challenges in cross-border payments, including inefficiencies, high costs, and complex regulatory landscapes. During the “View from the Top” chat, Manaa shed light on Buna's large-scale transformation, innovation in foreign exchange (FX), and its approach to compliance, all aimed at improving financial integration and economic growth in the region.

On the first day of Sibos 2024 in Beijing, the First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), showcased its commitment to facilitate cross-border transactions between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and China. Sanjay Sethi, Head of Global Transaction Banking at the bank, asserted, “as the largest bank in the UAE, FAB is committed to supporting trade and financial cooperation between the UAE and China.

Hybrid distribution with physical kiosk, payroll integration and strategic acquisitions drive user engagement and retention for the digital bank in the Philippines.

Buna, launched by the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), is reshaping cross-border payments by enhancing financial inclusion, reducing inefficiencies, and fostering economic integration.

South Asia and Southeast Asia are poised to dominate fintech lending, driven by unique growth factors and supportive ecosystems.

Kamran Khan, Head of ESG for APAC & MEA at Deutsche Bank, discussed the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into the bank’s core banking businesses and financial solutions.

Sashidhar Jagdishan, managing director and CEO of HDFC Bank, received the Bank CEO of the Year in Asia Pacific award for 2024, acknowledging his resilient leadership in driving digital transformation, expanding banking access, and integrating sustainability.