Olga Dergunova, VTB Bank’s deputy president, hails a new era of co-operation in Russia’s banking industry, not just bank-to-bank but bank-to-fintech and, importantly, bank-to-regulator. Joy Macknight reports.

As the hype around blockchain technology ebbs, real-world applications are coming to life, particularly in trade finance. Joy Macknight examines market initiatives, lessons learned and the role that blockchain could play in driving the digitalisation and growth of global trade. 

Is blockchain living up to its potential in revolutionising the cross-border payments space? Joy Macknight investigates how far the technology has come.

With the cost of know-your-customer compliance increasing, sharing client information to a standard everyone trusts makes absolute sense. Katja Zschieschang, Deutsche Bank’s resident KYC expert, looks at the benefits of a collaborative approach to data collection to help reduce the costs of compliance.

Swift, together with 45 member banks, launched the global payments innovation (gpi) initiative in early 2016, to increase the speed, transparency and predictability of cross-border payments. More than 180 banks have signed up to the service, with over 60 banks now live. As of May 24, 25% of all Swift cross-border payments traffic is now being sent as gpi. Joy Macknight talks to Wim Raymaekers, Swift’s gpi programme director, about the latest developments. 

Correspondent banking relationships may have been scaled back because of a stricter regulatory environment since the financial crisis, but a refocusing of bank strategies, close industry collaboration and exciting new technologies are ensuring cross-border payments are keeping up with the demand. Christian Westerhaus, global head of clearing products, cash management, at Deutsche Bank explains why the future is bright.

As global market infrastructures modernise across the world, Deutsche Bank’s head of market infrastructure and industry initiatives, cash management, Paula Roels, examines where the global banking industry stands in implementing the landmark ISO 20022 standard, the different approaches to its implementation and the critical factors for success.

Société Générale’s head of innovation for the UK, Anthony Woolley, talks to Joy Macknight about accelerating the French bank’s digital transformation through an open innovation strategy inside and outside the organisation.