A strategic collaboration with finaXai, co-founded by NTU and NUS researchers, to power Project DAMA 2 with AI, blockchain, and academic innovation

Deutsche Bank is collaborating with finaXai, a Singapore-based AI company co-founded by researchers from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and the National University of Singapore (NUS). The collaboration will assess a significant extension of Project DAMA 2, the public-permissioned multi-chain asset servicing pilot focused on transforming how asset managers can more efficiently manage and service tokenised funds and their investors.

FinaXai is also part of the Fincubator programme at the Asian Institute of Digital Finance (AIDF), a university-level institute in NUS jointly established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the National Research Foundation and NUS, to support the development of fintech startups focused on deep technology and digital finance innovation.

The team will explore integrating Machine Learning and Large Language Models (LLMs) into asset servicing workflows, leveraging explainable AI to help asset managers plan and execute fund lifecycle activities with greater speed, transparency, and precision.

Anand Rengarajan, Deutsche Bank’s Head of Securities Services APAC & MEA and Global Head of Sales said: “We are delighted to work with a diverse mix of experts from the academic and innovation worlds to contribute to the future of tokenised assets. Through this collaboration, we unify leading research-backed solutions with industry applications to reduce complexity and boost AI’s explainability and integration with DLT. With this work, we seek to better understand and anticipate our asset manager clients’ needs as they explore the future of tokenisation.”

Dr. Erik Cambria, Co-Founder of finaXai and Professor, College of Computing and Data Science, NTU said: “finaXai is excited to partner with Deutsche Bank in applying cutting-edge explainable AI techniques to the domains of finance and asset tokenisation. This collaboration bridges academic research with real-world applications and explores how explainable AI can converge with tokenisation to streamline processes and enhance the accessibility, adoption, and management of digital assets. Ultimately, this initiative lays the groundwork for synergies between trustworthy AI and asset managers, enabling faster, more precise planning and execution of digital asset and fund lifecycle activities.”

Dr. Gianmarco Mengaldo, Co-Founder of finaXai and Assistant Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, NUS, said: “finaXai operates at the exciting intersection of AI applications in finance and comprises researchers from various institutions who share a common interest in exploring the frontiers of AI in this field. This collaboration demonstrates the significant impact that can be achieved when scientific interests align. The team based in NUS focuses on bridging human understanding with AI methods through explainable AI, and integrating existing knowledge into AI-driven solutions when beneficial. It will be exciting to see how our work, complemented with the work by NTU counterparts, can aid in dealing with complex real-world tasks in the financial sector.”

Representatives involved in the project include:

Deutsche Bank:

• Boon Hiong Chan, Asia Pacific Head of Securities & Technology Advocacy and Industry Applied Innovation Lead.
• Jie Yi (Jaelynn) Lee, Digital Product Owner.

finaXai:

• Dr. Erik Cambria, Co-Founder of finaXai and Professor, College of Computing and Data Science, NTU.
• Dr. Gianmarco Mengaldo, Co-Founder of finaXai and Assistant Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, NUS.
• Dr. Mao Rui, Technology Lead and Research Scientist, College of Computing and Data Science, NTU.
• Keane Ong, Technology Scientist and PhD candidate in Digital Financial Technology, specialising in Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing at NUS.
• Federico Cristina, CFA, Business Lead, finaXai.

Source: Deutsche Bank

Deutsche Bank Accelerates Digital Transformation with IBM’s Software Portfolio

New license agreement gives Deutsche Bank increased access to IBM’s innovative software solutions to accelerate innovation, optimize operations, and enhance customer experience

Deutsche Bank and IBM announced a continuation of their partnership in the form of a strategic agreement that grants Deutsche Bank further access to IBM’s comprehensive suite of software solutions. This includes IBM’s business and IT automation stack, advanced hybrid cloud products, as well as access to the watsonx AI portfolio. Additionally, Deutsche Bank will benefit from the latest upgrades to the IBM Storage Protect software suite.

These innovative solutions enable Deutsche Bank to further optimize its business processes, IT infrastructure, and services. By leveraging IBM’s technology, Deutsche Bank aims to replace legacy solutions, maximize ROI, and deliver an enhanced customer experience. This agreement marks a significant continuation of the longstanding relationship between the two companies, particularly in relation to Deutsche Bank’s existing software estate.

“IBM is a natural partner for Deutsche Bank’s ambitious technology transformation, and their innovative solutions continue to help optimize and streamline our technology stack,” said Tony Kerrison, Deutsche Bank’s Head of Group Technology Infrastructure and Head of Technology Data and Innovation for the Americas. “Our employment of IBM’s software and tooling strategically complements our ambitions to modernize, simplify and strengthen our technology infrastructure.”

“We are proud that Deutsche Bank has further intensified their relationship with IBM by engaging with our innovative software solution portfolio,” said Dominic Schulz, IBM Global Managing Director for Deutsche Bank. “With access to IBM’s comprehensive offerings, including the innovative watsonx AI and automation portfolio, Deutsche Bank will be able to analyze its data more deeply, simplify complex business processes, and drive IT automation.”

Source: IBM