$Citigroup Inc(C-N)$. C launched a new integrated digital bill discounting solution, Citi Digital Bill (CDB), to modernize long-standing trade finance practices. By eliminating the need for physical documents, couriers and paper handling across various global parties, CDB significantly simplifies the process. 

This new platform offers sellers a faster and transparent way to manage receivables, which reduces the time needed to monetize receivables from days to under an hour.

Currently, CDB is available to clients in the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland. The company plans to expand its latest digital bill discounting solution to more countries in 2024, subject to necessary regulatory approvals.

Features of Citigroup’s Digital Bill Discounting Solution

CDB offers a modern alternative to traditional paper-based Bills of Exchange through an entirely digital, end-to-end platform integrated within the bank’s CitiDirect receivables finance system.

CDB allows the seller, buyer and Citigroup to sign, accept, endorse and finance the digital bill in CitiDirect. This digital platform eliminates the difficulties of fragmented manual processes and operational risks of maintaining physical documents, along with the delays caused by gaining access to working capital. Notably, CDB is designed under contract laws and is not classified as a negotiable instrument.

CDB offers real-time access to the status of invoice approvals and provides the ability to view digital bills at any time for enhanced transaction tracking and management. CDB also effectively links buyers to their key relationship banks, thereby enhancing risk alignment. The platform allows a smooth client transition to this digital solution without causing a major disturbance during the changeover.

Sanjeev Ganjoo, global head of Trade Receivable Finance, at Citi Services, said, “Citi Digital Bill is a testimony to our digital-first approach to enhancing trade finance solutions. By effectively leveraging the power of technology, we continue to create substantial value for our clients through increased speed and transparency.”

Citigroup’s Peers Taking Similar Steps

In September, Wells Fargo & Company WFC expanded its Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) portfolio with the launch of specialized APIs for its Commercial Banking clients. Manufacturers, distributors and dealers can use WFC’s API platform to connect directly from their preferred system. This automated setup permits effortless data transfer among trading partners, reducing delays in sending and receiving information. Customers do not have to input data, upload it to the server, or download it anymore, they can access essential business insights instantly.

Similarly, Fifth Third Bancorp’s FITB embedded payments platform, Newline, entered into a collaborative agreement with Trustly in the same month. By collaborating, FITB’s Newline and Trustly will advance pay-by-bank arrangements and payments made through the Automated Clearing House and Real Time Payments networks.

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