Brussels signals review of prudential framework as industry welcomes recognition of trade finance’s role. The European Commission has outlined plans to strengthen the competitiveness of the EU banking sector, with proposals that could pave the way for a more risk-sensitive regulatory framework for trade finance.

On 22 July 2026, the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Kingdom (UK) gave joint statement at the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference in Manila to reaffirm and advance their partnership under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

In June 2026, the United States dollar (USD) dominated global payments, accounting for approximately 50.10% of total transaction value, says the July 2026 edition of the Global Currency Tracker, published by SWIFT.

Embat, the AI-driven fintech specialising in treasury management, has introduced a new banking product designed to unify cash management, international payments and collections, FX hedging, account reconciliation, and more into a single, seamless workflow.

This one-stop solution aims to address the complex operational challenges faced by finance professionals in mid-market companies with international operations.

Commodity finance is a specialised branch of trade finance covering the funding of the physical movement, storage, and processing of raw materials.

Learn more on our commodity finance topic page.

We're celebrating excellence in trade finance, recognising the corporates driving real impact in global markets.

Banks, advisory firms, technology providers, insurers, and development partners are invited to nominate their corporate partners for outstanding work delivered between 2025 and 2026.

What's new in 2026?

🥇Over 20 categories across trade, treasury, and payments areas 🥇Connect with 100+ industry leaders 🥇Ceremony: 7 October 2026 at The Lansdowne Club, London

For corporates, reach out to your banks and counterparts to explore how your success can be recognised on the industry stage.

Nominations close in August 2026.

Visit our website to find out more. Link in the comments.

Structuring commodity trade finance deals in 2026 and beyond!

From 8.30 to 10.00 AM, the breakfast clubs will bring together leaders from across commodities and trade finance, and we would like you to join us at The Lansdowne Club in London!

For the first time, the average commodity finance deal has crossed the $1 billion mark. Much of that volume is concentrated at the top of the market. Larger players negotiate better rates, faster financing, and more favourable terms simply by virtue of size.

As global commodities markets are more fragmented than ever and financial access is concentrated among top players, this is putting pressure on SMEs and startups, constraining capital access and limiting growth in global economies.

TTP and Sullivan are thrilled to invite professionals across industries to join the conversation to unlock these financing gaps and explore how commodity financing can enhance collaboration for global economic growth!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to welcoming you on 15 September!

👇 Register now.
https://tradetreasurypayments.com/events/ttp-x-sullivan-breakfast-club-structuring-commodity-trade-finance-deals-in-2026-and-beyond

Trade finance has entered the EU banking competitiveness debate.

The European Commission has outlined plans to strengthen the EU banking sector, including a review of prudential rules that may be limiting banks’ lending capacity.

For trade finance, the signal matters. The Commission’s acknowledgement of the sector’s role comes as industry bodies continue to call for more risk-sensitive regulatory treatment, reflecting trade finance’s low-risk profile and its importance in supporting cross-border trade, SMEs and economic resilience.

The ICC Banking Commission has welcomed the move, describing it as an important step after years of engagement with European policymakers. As Florian M. Witt said, "Regulation should enable trade, not constrain it."

With legislative proposals expected in early 2027, the question now is how far the review will go in aligning regulation with the realities of trade finance.

The trade finance sector has had to battle persistent, but known, fraud typologies for years. Many traditional mechanisms exist to provide legal frameworks, but often fail to address the immediate risk faced by financiers. Furthermore, legacy manual verification processes are simply not scalable and so not effective in today’s environment.

At the FCI 58th Annual Meeting in Lisbon, Trade Treasury Payments (TTP) spoke with Karol Leszczyński, Product Development Manager at Comarch, the Poland-based software house of around 5,000 people that builds technology for financial institutions, insurers, healthcare and beyond.

While much of the industry conversation centres on advising clients to adopt AI, Leszczyński was keen to look inward and talk about what a technology provider should be doing within its own walls.

Trade Treasury Payments presents Issue 05 Fine Print, a publication exploring the deeper forces shaping global trade, treasury and payments at a time of rapid change across financial markets. This edition looks beyond surface level headlines to examine the structural realities influencing liquidity, cross border finance, payment systems and risk management. Through expert analysis and industry reporting, it highlights how finance professionals are navigating an increasingly complex environment where regulation, digital infrastructure and global economic uncertainty continue to reshape decision making.

The issue brings together a broad range of perspectives on the future of trade finance, treasury operations and payment innovation, covering subjects such as digital trade adoption, foreign exchange risk, fraud prevention, supply chain finance, private credit and the evolving legal frameworks surrounding modern financial instruments. With coverage spanning global markets and emerging economies, the publication offers practical insight into the trends, challenges and strategic shifts defining the future of real economy finance in 2026.