OB continues to enable seamless client connectivity across its key markets in ASEAN and Greater China, driven by comprehensive transaction banking solutions, digital innovation, strong client relationships and impact. Despite global trade fragmentation, UOB’s transaction banking franchise has shown resilience and growth, underpinned by deepening client relationships and delivery of complex cross-border cash management and supply chain solutions. UOB was recognised as Best Asian Global Transaction Bank in Asia Pacific at the TAB Global Business Achievement Awards 2025, reflecting its digital platform integration and growth in transaction banking. This recognition was widely supported by the integration of its regional cash management, trade and financial supply chain management (FSCM) solutions into UOB Infinity, the bank’s comprehensive digital platform. As the platform’s digital capabilities drive significant adoption and scale in transaction banking, across cash, trade and FSCM, UOB aims to differentiate its regional positioning through a proactive and advisory-led approach. These are instrumental in winning new mandates, strengthening existing and forging new client relationships in the region. GTB as a strategic driver of wholesale banking performance UOB’s group transaction banking (GTB) revenues rose 35% from 2022 to 2024, driven by increases in current account savings account (CASA) balances, trade assets and financial supply chain management (FSCM) income. By strategically focusing on trade, cash management and treasury services enhanced by connectivity flows and strengthened product platforms, GTB has become the central pillar of the group’s wholesale banking, contributing over half of its total income in 2024. The strategic significance of GTB stems from its ability to capitalise on market opportunities through customised products and solutions, sector-specific solution expertise, a well-established network, and an integrated platform that seamlessly connects customers across borders. This approach has enabled GTB to acquire complex, large-value corporate mandates while driving customers’ business expansion and growth across the region. “UOB has 90 years of entrenched presence, deep understanding of the nuances of the market and clients’ unique requirements, enabling us to deliver targeted and impactful solutions,” said So Lay Hua, head of group transaction banking at UOB. So Lay Hua Head of group transaction banking at UOB Advisory-led cash management solutions for navigating liquidity challenges In 2024, higher interest rates prompted corporates to seek liquidity and working-capital solutions, with a growing focus on tools that provide enhanced visibility. For organisations navigating a tighter rate environment, understanding cash positions and tracking funds in real time became essential. To reduce funding costs, corporates increasingly turned to digital cash management solutions for immediate access and clear visibility of their account balances and cross-border transactions. UOB’s sector-specific advisory approach enabled the delivery of comprehensive real-time payments and digital collection solutions, seamlessly integrating with clients’ end-to-end business and operational workflows. Additionally, UOB implemented multi-country liquidity solutions to optimise its customers’ cross-border treasury operations in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. One such key cash management mandate was secured for a Singapore-headquartered multinational corporation with a global presence and multiple industries. The multinational sought to diversify concentration risk and optimise treasury operations across Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam while aiming to integrate sustainability into its treasury management platform. It also faced challenges from restricted currencies and regulatory barriers in several of its operating markets, complicating liquidity management. Leveraging its strong client advisory and advocacy, depth of digital capabilities and regional presence, UOB implemented a customised cash and liquidity structure for the client. It introduced a market-first Singapore dollar (SGD) physical sweep structure, automating the consolidation of operating funds across more than one hundred accounts and entities, with environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles embedded in its structural and pricing design. As a next phase, the SGD cash sweep structure will be integrated with the US Dollar (USD) structure into a notional pooling framework to further optimise the deployment of group funds. Interest optimisation was further achieved through an overlay structure to improve yields on operating balances. UOB also deployed a unified host-to-host connectivity solution integrated with UOB Infinity to streamline the client’s digital banking processes across all markets in scope. “We take a consultative approach by understanding clients’ business model, sector dynamics and operating structure as the starting points. Each structure is bespoke, as you can’t lift and drop a liquidity solution from one client to another. It is imperative to consider regulatory, tax and working capital cycles, as well as ensuring that clients’ challenges and objectives are effectively addressed,” said Adrian Ong, head of cash management sales at UOB. The implementation significantly enhanced the client’s liquidity management, enabling real-time visibility and control over their regional treasury operations. UOB has also been at the forefront of delivering virtual and sub-account solutions to support clients in streamlining reconciliation, consolidating balances and managing project-based flows. These enhancements are part of a broader move to deliver cash management as a connected, regional platform rather than siloed domestic offerings. “It is not just about cash concentration or yield anymore. It is about access and optimisation — getting cash where it needs to be in a compliant and efficient manner,” concluded Ong. Adrian Ong Head of cash management sales at UOB Supporting businesses and supply chains growth across the region Macroeconomic headwinds and geopolitical uncertainties are reshaping corporate supply chains, driving businesses to enhance resilience in their operations. While these challenges necessitate a revaluation of traditional strategies, they also create opportunities for corporates to improve efficiency and strengthen supplier networks. With its extensive regional footprint, comprehensive FSCM platform and deep sector expertise, UOB is well positioned to tap into these trends and harness them for clients’ further growth. UOB has invested in advisory capabilities to onboard supplier ecosystems and facilitate pre- and post-shipment financing. Through UOB Infinity FSCM platform, UOB offers an even stronger multi-country, multi- tier, and multi-currency FSCM solution delivery via a seamless digital channel. Its strategic corridor focus, particularly the ASEAN4 and China+1 initiatives, further enables it to serve clients expanding operations across borders. UOB’s trade finance and FSCM offerings have benefitted from the industries undergoing supply chain diversification. These gains are materially notable in the industrial and electric vehicle sectors, which are relocating supply chains into ASEAN markets. In implementing a multi-country supply chain financing mandate for a leading multinational corporation in the automotive and industrial space, UOB supported the expansion of supply chain operations across ASEAN and Greater China markets, particularly Indonesia Singapore, Hong Kong and China, in line with the China+1 strategy. The client faced the challenge of managing a diverse supplier base across multiple countries, with varying currency and regulatory risks. In addition to streamlining its working capital requirements, it also required financing support for both anchor suppliers and smaller tier suppliers to ensure smooth and efficient supply chain operations. UOB facilitated financing for both the client’s core suppliers and their tiered suppliers, enabling better cash flow management across the supply chain. The bundle of FSCM-Supplier Financing and Accounts Receivable Financing solutions not only provided the client with the ability to optimise their working capital, but also for its trade partners as well. Leveraging its extensive regional network, the bank integrated cross-border supply chain financing to support the client’s operations in ASEAN and beyond. The client’s digital connectivity was enhanced on UOB Infinity FSCM to facilitate seamless, real-time trade financing, improving transparency and operational control. “UOB Infinity FSCM allows customers to engage across the region with one consistent standard, whether it is trade data, supporting documentation, or workflow operations. This single view is critical for chief financial officers (CFOs) and treasurers managing fragmented supply chains across ASEAN,” remarked Ng Poh Yee, head of trade and financial supply chain management sales at UOB. The implementation of UOB’s FSCM solution enabled the client to enhance liquidity, streamline cross-border trade processes and reduce working capital strain. It also improved supplier relationships by offering more flexible financing options, ultimately supporting the client’s supply chain diversification strategy in the ASEAN region. By replicating this approach across various sectors, UOB’s advisory and solutioning model has successfully connected clients with their ecosystem partners, driving stronger collaboration, operational synergies and growth. Ng Poh Yee head of trade and financial supply chain management sales at UOB UOB Infinity as an integrated enabler of transaction banking solutions As service quality becomes an increasingly critical priority for corporates, the need for user-friendly digital banking platforms with intuitive interfaces and streamlined workflows is more important than ever. To address the demand for unified transaction banking solutions, banks are fast-tracking integrated experiences by offering a comprehensive suite of tools that span corporate cash management, payments, trade and FSCM product stacks. This approach is designed to deliver seamless digital service experiences throughout the entire client journey. UOB provides clients with access to payment, collections, treasury, trade and FSCM services for all their entities via a single login on UOB Infinity. UOB Infinity was progressively deployed across its 10 key markets in ASEAN and Greater China. By connecting multiple business functions, UOB Infinity enables corporate clients to synchronise cash flow management with their supply chain financing needs. It facilitates the digital processing of trade invoices, supplier financing, accounts receivable financing and distributor financing within one platform. “With our focus on the digital experience for clients, the UOB Infinity platform enables seamless connections across borders, making it easier for clients to navigate the complexities of doing business in the region,” added Ng. To enhance digital security, UOB added fraud detection measures, including real-time monitoring and a 12-hour cooling period for token registrations. This added layer of security helps prevent fraudulent activities that may arise from compromised digital credentials. From 2022 to 2024, digital trade transactions rose over 30%, with trade invoice processing growing tenfold. In 2024, 83% of its corporate customers were digitally active, with digital transactions up 37% over 2022-2024 period. The delivery of digital integration reduces operational complexity for clients, who can manage multi-country, multi-tier and multi-currency financing workflows seamlessly. Complementing UOB Infinity, UOB’s holistic digital platform supports extensive API and host-to-host connections, enhancing automation and enabling instant payments — particularly for clients in the e-commerce, fintech and new economy sectors. Positioning itself as a regional leader in transaction banking Looking ahead, UOB is committed to further strengthening its transaction banking capabilities and addressing the evolving needs of its clients in an increasingly digital, interconnected yet fragmented world. UOB plans to complete the rollout of UOB Infinity in Thailand and fully commercialise UOBSend this year, to enable low-cost cross-border payments by leveraging automated clearing houses (ACHs) across various ASEAN markets. Further enhancements will include API expansion, sustainability-linked finance and seamless integration with client systems. The bank will also expand its sustainable banking solutions, incorporating sustainability-linked cash management and trade finance services into its broader product offerings. With ASEAN projected to drive strong global economic growth, UOB aims to be the transaction banking partner of choice for corporates and multinationals seeking to operate, invest and trade across Asia’s fastest-growing markets. Contact details: UOB Group https://www.uobgroup.com/
