Technology

The blockchain is getting all the attention these days—along with technology’s capacity for improving the customer experience.

Corporates today need more agility to meet regulatory requirements and manage volatility, hence technology plays a growing role in treasury departments.

UK: The April launch of Atom Bank is a new chapter for seasoned entrepreneur Anthony Thomson.

Ralph Hamers, CEO and chairman of ING Group, talks with Global Finance about how ING’s lending practices and use of fintech are bolstering the bank—and sustaining the environment. 

Special Report: Fintech
As banks rush to find areas where the blockchain can save them time and money while creating opportunities, it’s hard to see exactly how this might shape future banking processes.

In the past century, gains in productivity and living standards were made as a result of advances in technology. But where can we expect gains to come from in this century—and are they likely to be gradual or dramatic? The answer depends on whether you believe the optimists or the pessimists.

Smart corporates are using mobile apps to collect real-time data, analyze it and feed it to employees, who can respond immediately. Companies that neglect these tools could find themselves at a disadvantage.

Japan’s Financial Services Agency is preparing legislation allowing the government to relax restrictions on fintech investment, promising a technological jolt to one of the world’s biggest financial markets.

The new year started with unusually negative intensity and uncertainty in the financial markets and the global economy.

The $5 trillion-a-day foreign exchange market is changing rapidly, as electronic execution platforms control the bulk of trading and bank dealers streamline operations in response to growing pressure from regulators to cut trading risks and boost capital. 

Steady revenue streams make transaction banking attractive during times of volatility. But tech and upstart competitors are remaking the business.

Q+A
David Newns, global head of State Street’s Currenex, says the diversity and liquidity provided by ECN (electronic communications networks) trading are keenly important to banks.
 

FinTech | Trends
The launch of the blockchain-enabled asset trading platform Nasdaq Linq, Goldman Sachs’ filing of a patent for a securities settlement system based on a new virtual currency called SETLcoin, and the continued rise of blockchain banking consortium R3 all point to a race by financial institutions to harness the power of the blockchain.

Q+A
Richard de Roos, global head of foreign exchange, Standard Bank, says a deep understanding of client needs comes over time, with continuous engagement and constant feedback.

Tom Manning, affiliate partner at Waterstone Management, has been advising global companies on China, and vice-versa, for years. The onetime CEO of Ernst & Young Consulting Asia, Capgemini Asia, Cerberus Asia and Indachin, and former senior partner at Bain, sat down with Global Finance to discuss the nation’s quiet innovation revolution.

Q+A
Michael Curran, head of foreign exchange, BNY Mellon Markets Group, sees blockchain technology as the FX market’s key innovation.
 

The Full Listing Of Global, Regional, and Country Awards Winners for The Best Digital Banks of 2015

Q+A with Hubert Jolly, Managing Director, Head of Channel & Enterprise Services, Treasury & Trade Solutions at Citi

Q+A with Alex Chen, Executive Vice President of Ctbc Bank

Country Report | Israel
Chinese investors flock to the nation’s cutting-edge tech sector.