At Sibos Frankfurt 2025, global transaction banks revealed how they are embedding artificial intelligence, standardisation and tokenisation to transform payments, trade and treasury. From real-time clearing and interoperable platforms to ESG-linked finance and shared ledgers, the industry is converging on a new digital foundation for global commerce.

Michael Wen, executive vice president of Cathay United Bank, explains how the bank is embedding sustainability across its corporate banking business, supporting clients through the transition to net zero, and building momentum in green and social finance across Asia.

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia) Limited (“ICBC (Asia)”) was awarded Best Custodian Bank in Hong Kong for its exceptional custody services in 2024, surpassing HKD1.35 trillion ($173 billion) in assets under custody and expanding its global network across over 90 markets. With robust risk management, advanced infrastructure and scalable solutions, the bank continues to lead the market by supporting institutional clients across diverse investment structures and jurisdictions.

Ping An Bank leverages AI to strengthen core retail and transaction capabilities, driving innovation, efficiency and improved customer experience across operations.

Banks can turn financial knowledge into their strongest defence against scams, debt and digital exploitation.

Over a decade of cheap liquidity shaped the global financial landscape after the Global Financial Crisis. As the world transitions from abundant to selective capital, supply chain finance is being redefined by costed liquidity, data transparency and multi-funder collaboration. The question is no longer whether liquidity exists—but where it will come from, and how trusted data will determine its flow.

United Bank for Africa (UBA) is deepening its pan-African presence through digital innovation and strategic diversification. Shamsideen Fashola, head of retail and digital banking for UBA described how the bank is embedding artificial intelligence, real-time payments, and customer-centric platforms with a view to balance financial inclusion with premium digital experiences.

As Asia Pacific’s trade and payment flows accelerate, leading banks in the region are embedding finance into client ecosystems, orchestrating modular platforms and scaling AI for resilient, sustainable growth.

UOB’s FDI Advisory Unit aims to become a partner for corporates expanding across ASEAN, and today, the focus has deepened from countries into economic corridors. Jimmy Koh, managing director and head of network partnerships and strategic marketing explains how the bank is helping corporates navigate new project pipelines in the region.

As global supply chains shift, ASEAN is emerging as a key hub for trade. UOB's Wee Ee Cheong and Frederick Chin discusss how investment and innovation, shaped by cooperation, technology and sustainability, will define the region’s next phase of integration and growth.

At Sibos Frankfurt 2025, Franck Dubois, head of Asia Pacific for Securities Services at BNP Paribas, highlighted how globalisation, private capital growth and technology shift are reshaping custody and settlement. He explained how the bank is helping clients’ transition to shorter settlement cycles, automate private markets and maintain trust and operational resilience.

David Katz, vice president of strategy and policy for Asia Pacific at Circle, discussed how emerging regulations and public–private collaboration are defining the role of USDC in regulated finance and driving the development of institutional stablecoin infrastructure.

At a closed-door briefing hosted by TAB Global and Red Hat in Singapore, industry leaders examined how artificial intelligence is redefining the architecture of operational resilience and the foundations of trust in an always-on financial ecosystem.

Through a digital-first strategy focused on SMEs and agriculture, the Bank of Punjab (BOP) is reshaping access to finance in Pakistan’s underserved markets. Its next phase of growth hinges on disciplined risk management, operational resilience and a customer-centric balance between innovation and inclusion.

Across Asia’s rapidly evolving digital-banking landscape, embedded finance is emerging as a structural advantage. Smriti Gupta, chief financial officer of audax, explains how this model lowers cost-to-serve and drives profitable, compliant scale for banks.