Finastra Unveils New Trade Finance Model at Sibos 2025

Finastra has introduced a new operating model for trade finance, as discussed by Matthieu Andrieu during a recent interview at Sibos 2025. The shift is primarily driven by evolving regulations and increased acceptance of fully digital documents. Andrieu, who has two decades of experience in the field, highlighted that several regions, including France, Germany, the United States, Abu Dhabi, and parts of Southeast Asia, have enacted regulations that give electronic trade documents the same legal status as traditional paper documents. This development is propelling the industry away from manual processes toward more efficient digital workflows.

As banks adapt to these changes, they are required to rethink their operational models, controls, and the skills of their workforce. While progress in Africa and South America is slower, Andrieu anticipates that these regions will also evolve as their legal frameworks develop.

Customer experience in trade finance has historically lagged behind that of retail banking. For years, financial institutions concentrated on back-office automation, neglecting the front-end user experience. Andrieu noted a surge in demand for more corporate-friendly digital channels, including mobile applications, chatbots, and particularly generative AI. These tools aim to simplify processes and provide clarity on status updates, exceptions, and required documents for clients.

From Finastra’s perspective, over 200 banks currently utilize its Trade Innovation platform. Two main challenges dominate the landscape: The first is the necessity to stay abreast of regulations and best practices. This includes the transition to ISO 20022. With the upcoming November 2025 release from SWIFT, many banks must migrate from MT to MX messaging formats. The second challenge involves adopting an ecosystem mindset. Rather than relying on a single vendor, banks are encouraged to establish a network of partners, making open APIs crucial for enhancing speed and fostering co-innovation.

The role of cloud technology is also pivotal. Most Western financial institutions are now prioritizing cloud solutions as part of their shift towards managed services. This transition allows banks to delegate more operational responsibilities—such as maintenance and upgrades—to service providers. Consequently, banks can focus on differentiating their offerings in a competitive market.

At Sibos 2025, Andrieu introduced “Nexus,” Finastra’s latest initiative designed to facilitate collaboration among banks and partners in the realms of AI, machine learning, and blockchain. This new orchestration layer operates atop Finastra’s corporate banking stack, enabling faster experimentation without the need for a complete overhaul of existing core systems.

As the trade finance sector continues to evolve, Finastra is positioning itself as a key player in driving digital transformation and enhancing customer experiences across the industry.