Turning AI hype into real impact, the rise of digital assets, and powering real-time payments at BNY
Jennifer Barker, the Global Head of Treasury Services at BNY, discussed how treasury services are changing to better support corporate clients amid increasing market complexity with Trade Treasury Payments (TTP)’s Joy Macknight at Sibos 2025. She emphasised the need for using advanced technology and data analysis to enhance liquidity management, reduce risks, and improve operational efficiency.
Barker highlighted the growing need for real-time insights and seamless connectivity between global financial networks as important for updating treasury practices.
She pointed out that banks, fintechs, and businesses need to work together. This teamwork is important to meet regulatory requirements and evolving client expectations. Through these efforts, treasury services aim to provide greater transparency, agility, and resilience in an increasingly dynamic financial environment.
She also shared her perspective on real-time payments adoption in the US, where BNY was the first to send both the very first real-time payment and the largest ($10 million) to date.
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Key Topics
- AI is moving into practical, operational use across treasury and payments.
- Digital assets are gaining momentum, but interoperability remains the critical barrier.
- Real time payments require real time infrastructure, from fraud controls to data reporting.
Key Insights
Expert Analysis
Jennifer Barker’s perspective reflects a market in transition. AI is no longer a future concept but an active driver of efficiency and product innovation. Digital assets are maturing, yet their success hinges on interoperability across systems and jurisdictions. Payments modernisation continues to accelerate, with real time expectations reshaping infrastructure requirements. The US is making tangible progress, supported by institutions like BNY that are pushing adoption forward and helping clients understand where real time capabilities can deliver the greatest impact.— Jennifer Barker
Key Findings
- AI is already reshaping client service and operational models.
- Digital assets are progressing, but fragmentation limits their impact.
- The US real time payments landscape is advancing through both RTP and FedNow, with BNY playing a leading role.
- Financial inclusion is emerging as a core benefit of broader real time adoption
Implications
- Banks will need to invest in AI driven tools that support scale and operational resilience.
- Interoperability frameworks for digital assets will determine how quickly adoption expands across borders.
- Real time payments will push institutions to upgrade fraud, data and reporting systems to match the speed of settlement.
Key Takeaways
- AI, digital assets and real time payments are converging to redefine treasury and transaction banking.
- Interoperability and infrastructure remain the industry’s biggest challenges.
- Institutions that invest early in scalable, real time systems will be best positioned to meet rising client expectations.
