• Whitepaper sees trade and supply chain finance industries at a turning point
   
• Report identifies building blocks of the new trade finance ecosystems

A new industry report titled Relevant Advanced Technologies for Trade and Supply Chain Finance launched by Commerzbank, in partnership with the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML), reveals that the trade and supply chain finance industries are at a turning point, with emerging technologies and the increasing volume of accessible data setting in motion the rapid evolution of new ecosystems.

Combining the expertise of application-oriented scientists from Fraunhofer IML with trade finance specialists at Commerzbank, the paper underpins the bank’s commitment to shape the trade finance business of the future. The joint research effort shows that digital advancements are pushing the development of improved business models to meet the need for increased operational efficiency and alignment with more complex sustainability goals.

The report identifies the key innovations that are forming the building blocks of the new trade finance ecosystems, including:

Big data and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

As one of the world’s most data-intensive industries, trade and supply chain finance is transforming at a rapid pace with the ability to share and process vast volumes of complex information. Big data has been highlighted as an “indispensable” source of technological innovation but can only be effective if implemented in tandem with other technologies.

“Big data analytics can help financial institutions to leverage the wealth of trade data stored in multiple databases across different geographies along the supply chain […] by identifying data trends and flagging anomalies, banks can detect fraud at an early stage,” states the whitepaper. 

With global data set to grow by 500% between 2018 and 2025[1], the report explains that effectively processing this mass of information will be a main challenge for banks and trade participants, but also enables AI and machine learning solutions to automate decision-making processes and forecast trends in risk management, financial analytics, and portfolio management.

Blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), and smart contracts

The report looks at the growing opportunities for businesses in the form of B2B platforms, which can reduce boundaries, improve transparency, and support automation. It predicts that these platforms will profoundly alter the way in which international trade is undertaken. One such example is the blockchain-enabled, distributed trade network Marco Polo.. Developed by an international consortium including Commerzbank, the solution significantly increases speed and transparency of trade business by automatically matching digital trade data.

Furthermore, the whitepaper also explains that DLT and blockchain technology could reduce trade finance operating costs by 50 to 80% and improve turnaround times three- to four-fold. The barriers removed could lead to more than US$1 trillion in new trade over the next decade.[2]

Internet of Things (IoT) and sensorics

By 2030, the number of internet-connected objects will reach more than 125 billion, according to a preliminary forecast by the American Bankers Association. The networking of each object opens new revenue opportunities in novel demands on payment and finance flows.

One application scenario in supply chain finance arises through the creation of automated payment solutions triggered by sensor data. By linking the physical and financial supply chain using IoT, it is possible to design fully automated order processing along the entire supply chain.

“Supporting Germany’s trade corridors is in Commerzbank’s DNA,” comments Nikolaus Giesbert, Divisional Board Member at Commerzbank, “and we finance around 30% of Germany’s foreign trade. That is why it is vital we have our finger on the pulse of the latest technological advances in trade finance and deliver enhanced solutions to our clients. We very much value our partnership with Fraunhofer and hope this whitepaper serves as a catalyst to drive further discussion and action across the industry.”

Prof Dr Michael Henke from Fraunhofer IML in Dortmund adds: “The trick to reach the plateau of productivity quickly is to combine all the technologies we have in our hands today. That’s what we are doing in our collaboration with Commerzbank, where we’re consistently integrating the financial flow with the material- and information flow.”

This whitepaper is the most comprehensive body of research currently available looking at the trade and supply chain finance sector and comes at a pivotal time for trade participants. It is the culmination of a long-standing partnership between Commerzbank and the prestigious research organisation Fraunhofer IML.Whitepaper sees trade and supply chain finance industries at a turning point