Trade, Treasury

& Payments Awards 2023

In cooperation with BAFT

Now in its seventh year running, the TFG Awards 2023, in cooperation with BAFT, recognise those who have provided an outstanding contribution to trade, treasury & payments.

17 September 2023, BAFT Global Councils Forum in Toronto, 2023

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Steering Committee

The 2023 Steering Committee

The TFG Steering Committee is made up of subject matter experts and leaders across all areas of trade, including finance, technology, policy and governance.

Members of the steering committee will provide their impartial views and input into TFG’s leading annual awards campaign around promoting inclusive trade as a force for good.

  • Mark Abrams, Trade Finance Global
  • Marilyn Blattner-Hoyle, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions
  • John Brehcist, WOA
  • Michael P. Byrne, Documentary Credit World
  • Luca Castellani, UNCITRAL
  • Emmanuelle Ganne, WTO
  • Tarun Khosla, Citi
  • Alan Koenigsberg, Visa
  • Damian Kwok, ANZ Bank
  • Merisa Lee-Gimpel, Lloyds Banking Group
  • Roberto Leva, Asian Development Bank
  • John MacNamara, Independent
  • Pamela Mar, ICC
  • Peter Mulroy, FCI
  • John Omoti, Bank of China
  • Nicole Pitter Patterson, OWIT UK/Caribbean Women In Trade
  • Lorna Pillow, ITFA
  • Deepa Sinha, BAFT
  • Scott Stevenson, BAFT
  • Barry Tooker, TransactionBanker.com
  • Makiko Toyoda, IFC

Policy Document for Steering Committee Participation

Committee

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Sector-Based Awards

Best Financiers Category

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Best Payments Provider – Visa

It’s an honour for Visa B2B Connect to be recognised as ‘Best Payments Provider’ by TFG. As today’s financial ecosystem continues to evolve, we’re proud to create and deliver innovative payment solutions that help our financial institution clients meet their business clients where they’re at, and help fuel their growth through more streamlined and secure payment processes.

– Ben Ellis, SVP, Global Head of Visa B2B Connect

Best Supply Chain Finance Provider – Citi

Citi is honoured to receive the best supply chain finance award from TFG. The award recognises Citi’s leadership in the global supplier finance arena and our work supporting clients. We continue to innovate, expanding our offering to deliver solutions across global supply chains. Payables finance is at the core of what we do, and our hope is to bring both incremental and transformational efficiency to our clients.

– Mohneet Gujral, SVP and Canada Head – Trade Sales

Best Trade Credit Insurer – Allianz Trade

We’re thrilled and honoured to be recognised as Best Trade Credit Insurer in the Trade Finance Global Trade, Treasury and Payment Awards. It’s a powerful testament to our global market leading position and the extraordinary efforts of our teams across the world who offer our clients exceptional service, giving them the confidence to trade at home and abroad.

– Sarah Murrow, Chief Executive Officer

Best Transaction Banking Provider – BNY Mellon

We are delighted to receive an award at this year’s Trade, Treasury & Payments Awards. The win is testament to our ability to provide financial institutions and corporates with much-needed support by not only focusing on securing today’s stability, but also significantly investing in new technologies and strategic relationships for the future. We have taken bold steps towards revolutionising the treasury services landscape, with a focus on developing robust and innovative solutions.

– Joon Kim, Managing Director

Best Multilateral Institution in Trade – International Finance Corporation (IFC)

We’re deeply honoured to receive this significant recognition from the trade community and would like to share this award with our partner banks. IFC remains committed to closing the trade and supply chain finance gap in developing economies through our ongoing initiatives and programs. We eagerly anticipate expanding our collaboration with trade and supply chain finance partners in the future. We extend our gratitude to Trade Finance Global for their support in advancing our efforts to bridge the trade finance gap.

– Nathalie Louat, Director, Trade and Supply Chain Finance

Best Correspondent / Regional Bank – Banque du Caire

Thrilled to be receiving such award,which reflects Banque du Caire’s unwavering dedication amidst challenging circumstances. We remain committed to ensuring smooth business operations for our clients, recognizing our vital role in the economy, especially during these times. We are determined to provide solutions, support businesses, and foster trust, not only for ourselves but also for Egypt’s entire banking sector. This award motivates us to continue our path of commitment, hard work, and innovation.

– Ossama El Naggar, Group Head – Global Transaction Banking

Best Payment Solutions Provider – Pelican AI

On behalf of the Pelican.ai team, I’m honoured to be chosen as the ‘Best Payment Solutions Provider’ at the TFG Trade, Treasury, and Payments Awards 2023. This recognition is even more special given the strong competition. I share this award with our talented colleagues, partners, and the broader banking community who have contributed to our next-gen Payments and Compliance platform. Our mission continues, and this award boosts our confidence in delivering exceptional value to our clients.

– Parth Desai, Chairman & CEO

Best Development Bank in Trade – European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

We are delighted to have been awarded the Best Development Bank in Trade this year by TFG. Despite the challenges of the global trade finance landscape in 2023, including the impact of the global food crisis and Ukraine, our Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP) met the growing ] demand, achieving a record annual volume of €3.6 billion. This award recognizes the hard work of our network of over 100 partner banks who played a vital role in supporting global trade in the 24 EBRD countries of operation.

– Rudolf Putz, Deputy Director Financial Institutions – Head Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP)

Best Trade Law Firm – Allen & Overy

We are so delighted to win the prestigious “Best Trade Law Firm” award. This is fantastic recognition for our team’s talent, hard work and dedication. It reflects our commitment to providing our clients with the best advice and service and our market leading trade and commodity finance practice. Trade finance continues to be a large growth area and focus for Allen & Overy and we look forward to another year of supporting our clients through their opportunities and challenges in trade.

– Catherine Lang-Anderson, Partner

Best Trade Finance Bank – Santander Corporate & Investment Banking

We are extremely grateful and proud to be recognised by these TFG awards, proof of the hard work, market anticipation and continuous innovation that the Santander CIB Trade & Working Capital Solutions team aims to deliver across our full range of products positioning SCIB as a strategic advisor and partner of our clients

– Mencía Bobo – Global Head Trade & Working Capital Solutions

Best Receivables Finance Provider – Santander Corporate & Investment Banking

We are extremely grateful and proud to be recognised by these TFG awards, proof of the hard work, market anticipation and continuous innovation that the Santander CIB Trade & Working Capital Solutions team aims to deliver across our full range of products positioning SCIB as a strategic advisor and partner of our clients

– Mencía Bobo – Global Head Trade & Working Capital Solutions

Best Trade Credit Insurance Broker – BPL Global

I’m delighted that BPL Global has been named Best Trade Credit Insurance Broker, not least because Trade Finance Global has introduced the category for the first time. It is great to see the work of our specialist broker teams – their unwavering dedication to supporting clients – is being recognised at an industry level this year, as BPL Global is also celebrating our 40th anniversary, marking four decades as a world-leading specialist CPRI broker.

– Sian Aspinall, Group CEO

Innovation & Deals

Innovation & Deals Category

Supply Chain Finance Deal of the Year – First Abu Dhabi Bank

FAB’s Global Transaction Banking business is proud to have won Supply Chain Finance Deal of the Year at TFG Trade, Treasury and Payments awards 2023. This awards pay tribute to FAB’s achievements in the GTP sector and highlight GTB’s ambitions to continue to provide leading Trade & Supply chain finance services to its clients across the region and the strength of our solutions and service model which delivers seamless digital experiences to clients.

– Sanjay Sethi, Senior Managing Director, Head of Global Transaction Banking

Best Tradetech – Enterprise Software – Finastra

The Finastra Trade Team is thrilled to receive TFG’s Best Tradetech – Enterprise Software award in 2023. We’re dedicated to innovation in trade finance through our Trade Innovation solution and growing fintech partnerships. Our goal is to help customers excel and expand their trade and supply chain finance services worldwide, supporting the open finance economy, acknowledged by TFG and BAFT.

– Iain Maclennan, Head of Trade and Supply Chain Finance Product Management & Engineering

Best Tradetech – Compliance and Risk – MonetaGo

We are thrilled to be awarded the Best Tradetech – Compliance and Risk! This accolade shows the significant steps MonetaGo is taking in bringing a standards-based, globally interoperable fraud prevention ecosystem to finance and trade. Thank you to Trade Finance Global for acknowledging the hard work and future vision of the team.

– Neil Shonhard, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member

Best Tradetech Platform – Usyncro

This award is recognition of a work that began in 2019 with the aim of improving the supply chain, making it more secure, resilient, transparent and sustainable to enhance trade globally. Our platform bases on Blockchain and AI, gets total security guaranteeing data governance to each and every one of its participants. To all of them, thank you for supporting us, and to my team, this just shows that we are on the right track, now it is time to show how far we are capable of going. Let’s Rock Logistics!

– Cristina Martín Lorenzo, CEO

Legal Innovation in Trade – Sullivan

There is no doubt the world of trade and trade finance is about to undergo significant changes – for the better in relation to the speed of transactions and reduced use of paper. The coming into force of the UK’s new Electronic Trade Documents Act 2023 next week is to be welcomed across the industry. This award acknowledges Sullivan’s role at the forefront of digitalisation in trade finance and recognises that we are helping clients embrace innovation in trade finance transactions through emerging technologies. It is a testament to our established and loyal, as well as our new, clients who support us, and hugely appreciated by the firm’s growing trade and export finance team in London and the US.

– Geoffrey Wynne, Partner

Trade Finance Deal of the Year – Lloyds Bank

Promissory notes were ripe for digitisation!  Lloyds Bank is proud to be recognised by TFG for pioneering the UK’s 1st Digital Promissory Note in partnership with Enigio, now part of our standard Trade offering. This landmark transaction highlights the potential of digital trade documents as we prepare for the UK’s Electronic Trade Documents Act, benefiting businesses both locally and globally. At Lloyds Bank, we’re thrilled to lead the way in enabling fully digital trade transactions, advancing the path towards paperless trade.

– Gwynne Master, Managing Director & Head of Working Capital Solutions

Sustainability

Sustainability Category

Sustainable Trade Initiative of the Year – First Abu Dhabi Bank

FAB’s commitment to sustainability has been recognised with prestigious award – Sustainable Trade Initiative of the year at the TFG Trade, Treasury and Payments Awards 2023. This award reflect FAB Global Transaction Banking – Trade Finance’s leadership in driving sustainability in the financial industry and their dedication towards offering innovative solutions that contribute to a more sustainable future.

– Anirudha Panse, Managing Director & Head of Trade Finance Product Innovation

Sustainable Trade Finance Deal of the Year – J.P. Morgan

On behalf of Acciona Energía, we are honored to receive the 2023 TFG Trade, Treasury, and Payments Awards for ‘Sustainable Trade Finance Deal of the Year’. Congratulations to Acciona and all parties involved in the arranging of the Macintyre financing for this important recognition.

– Aldana Caunedo, Export Finance – Vice President

Individual and Lifetime Achievement

Individual and Lifetime Achievement Category

Lifetime Achievement in Trade – David Hennah at iGTB Intellect

I am deeply honoured to receive this prestigious award. Over the past 50+ years I have had the privilege of working with many talented and dedicated people. I am truly grateful to all those who have helped me along the way and with whom I should like to share this moment with grace and humility.

– David Hennah, Senior Vice President and Head of Trade & Supply Chain Finance

Lifetime Achievement in Treasury Management – Colleen Ostrowski at Visa 

It’s an honour to receive this Lifetime Achievement award. I’m incredibly proud of the work we’re doing to help drive innovation for seamless, cross-border solutions for businesses around the world. Treasury and Visa Cross-Border Solutions play a unique and critical role within the financial ecosystem, and we will continue our work to help businesses thrive globally.

– Colleen Ostrowski, SVP Treasurer and GM Visa Cross Border Solutions

Rising Leader in Trade – Mercy F-Olagundoye at Wema Bank

This is an excellent experience. Being recognised as a Rising Leader in Trade made me feel great. I find it encouraging that my impact is being acknowledged. This will further inspire my mentees and upcoming professionals in Trade, especially women in Africa and the rest of the world.

– Mercy F-Olagundoye – Head of Central Operations and Trade Services/AGMD

Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity & Inclusion Category

Diversity and Inclusion in Trade – Allen & Overy

We are honoured to have won the “Diversity and Inclusion in Trade” award by TFG. This reflects our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in trade. We will continue to build on this success to help drive change in the coming year and we are proud to have a market leading practice that is recognised as a champion in this important area.

– Catherine Lang-Anderson, Partner

Geographical

Geographical Category

Excellence in Trade (Latin America) – BBVA Corporate & Investment Banking 

I wanted to thank TFG for considering BBVA as a winner in the “Excellence in Trade” category for Latin America. We are very satisfied with achieving this award, which is a clear recognition of our

efforts to lead the Trade Finance business across the Region. In that regard, we will continue being ambitious for the future, and strengthening our teams and product capabilities, both locally and in our New York LatAm Hub, with the aim of continuing to provide the best service to our clients

– José Arechabala Anaya, Executive Director – Trade Finance

Excellence in Treasury and Payments – iGTB Intellect

We’re deeply honoured to receive this award. At iGTB, our primary mission is to empower commercial banks to assist their clients to ‘Make, Move, and Manage the Money’. Limits management, integral to all these functions, not only facilitates efficient operations but also safeguards against risks. Transaction Limits Management (TLM) meticulously streamlines corporate cash management, ensures timely payments, and provides robust real-time risk mitigation in funds control.

– Uppili Srinivasan, COO

Excellence in Trade (Africa) – Afreximbank

We are honoured to receive the Excellence in Trade (Africa) award, affirming our 30-year commitment to transforming the African continent through trade. The Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade and we are committed to continue to deliver on this mandate. On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of Afreximbank, l would like to express my profound gratitude to TFG Awards for this recognition.

– Gwen Mwaba, Director & Global Head, Trade Finance

Excellence in Trade (North America) – TD Securities

We are so proud to receive this award from Trade Finance Global, which recognises the collective efforts and commitment of the team to deliver excellence through superior ideas, coverage and execution to our clients. Thank you for this esteemed recognition.

– Kathryn Lamothe, Managing Director & Global Head of Trade Finance, Global Transaction Banking

Excellence in Trade (Middle East & North Africa Region) – Emirates NBD

We’re thrilled to receive this prestigious recognition. It is a testament to our unwavering dedication and commitment to provide the best-in-class product and services to our clients. As a leader in Trade and Supply Chain solutions in the MENA region, Emirates NBD has pioneered digitalisation and innovation in trade finance, offering customised solutions for our customers. This award reinforces our commitment to setting higher standards, and we extend our gratitude to the jury and organisers.

– Vishnu Purohit, Group Head – Trade Product Management

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About the Author

Kirtana Mahendran is a dedicated Marketing Assistant at Trade Finance Global (TFG).

Kirtana holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Business Management (Marketing) from the University of Surrey.

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