The secondary market for trade finance in Asia is undergoing a digital evolution. With institutional investors accessing this emerging asset class through new digital platforms and banks expanding their reach, it could help narrow the trade finance gap.

Edwin Bautista, chief executive officer, Union Bank of the Philippines, describes the bank’s digital transformation journey, the results of its technology achievements, and plans to accelerate its growth into a digital bank.

Hoyoung Yun, chief executive officer, KakaoBank, established the first digital bank in South Korea, which achieved a strong growth of five million customers within six months, backed by innovative services.

Anthony Thomas, chief executive officer, Mynt, was recognised for his leading the company in accelerating affordable and sustainable financial inclusion in the country, enabled by innovative features and emerging technology.

Chatbots are another example of relatively low-cost advancements in artificial intelligence adoption within the banking industry. These computer programmes are designed to conduct live chats to resolve common queries and carry out specific tasks; and they are proving to be popular among customers.

Vincent Hui, head of personal banking division, Bank of East Asia (Asia Pacific), led the bank’s digital transformation journey, making it as of one of Hong Kong’s top retail financial services providers and an internationally acclaimed innovator.

Under Nancy So’s leadership, the bank has successfully positioned itself as a one-stop shop for corporate cash management solutions in Asia. Despite personal circumstances at the bank, she has driven the cash business in times of extreme uncertainty.

John Wong, head of global liquidity and cash management, Hang SengBank, has a proven track record in delivering strong and sustainable business results, driving the growth in the bank’s transaction banking business.

David Richard Thomas, group chief risk officer, CIMB Group, was recognised for leading the bank’s successful risk management efforts

Jocelyne Chahwan, head of retail banking, BLOM Bank was recognised, for leading the bank’s digitalisation journey and successfully overseeing several developments in its retail banking business, including the acquisition and integration of the Lebanese retail banking and wealth management business of HSBC Bank Middle East.

Under Zeti Akhtar Aziz’s leadership, Bank Negara Malaysia has reinforced itself as an independent and respected regulatory authority, putting in place significant measures to ensure the stability of the country’s financial institutions. Her achievements have set a high-water mark for all leaders who will be put in a similar position of trust around the world.

Finally, after many false starts and empty declarations, China seems to be powering ahead with its financial liberalisation and lowering the barriers of entry for foreign companies in the financial sector. Has the threat of a trade war with the US pushed the Chinese into finally getting serious about opening up or is this just more posturing?

With data becoming the new oil in the digital economy, what level of individual data protection is adequate without unnecessarily stymying business and commerce?

Kartik Athreya, executive vice present and director of research of Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, the third largest in the US, discusses banking deregulation, the importance of the Living Will and financial innovation.

Digital disruption is rapidly changing the competitive and operating landscape and driving institutions and regulators to adopt opening banking strategies and create API enabled IT architectures.