AI trade finance is set to move beyond digitising paperwork towards redesigning end-to-end processes, bank executives said at a Hong Kong forum during International Financial Week 2026. HSBC’s head of global trade solutions Raluca Popa said digitalisation often replicates existing workflows, while the next phase will require rethinking processes to expand access to financing. She said AI trade finance systems could connect directly to clients’ accounting or enterprise resourc

BBVA has led a USD30m funding round in Olea, a digital supply chain finance platform, as the firm looks to scale digital trade finance across Asia and other key global corridors. The funding round included XDC Network, theDock and SC Ventures, the innovation arm of Standard Chartered. BBVA and Olea said they will deepen a partnership signed in June 2025, developing digital trade finance solutions using AI, data analytics and blockchain to strengthen risk management and supply