NatWest Taps AI to Overhaul Trade Operations

NatWest is modernising its trade finance business through a new partnership with AI specialist Cleareye.ai.

The collaboration is designed to streamline trade processing and bolster compliance oversight by automating data extraction and documentation review.

The initiative forms part of NatWest’s wider corporate strategy, which focuses on operational excellence and scalable innovation to improve customer service and manage regulatory compliance. 

Financial institutions are increasingly turning to automated systems to handle the complex, data-heavy paperwork that underpins global commerce.

Automating the back office

Under the agreement, NatWest will deploy ClearTrade, Cleareye.ai’s core platform.

The software uses advanced AI to extract and classify critical data from trade documents, handling both digital files and traditional paper formats.

Beyond document management, the platform will execute automated examinations aligned with the International Chamber of Commerce rules. 

These rules act as the globally recognised standards designed to simplify, regulate and standardise cross-border trade, commercial transactions and dispute resolution.

By replacing manual review structures with automated technology, the bank expects to process customer documentation faster while reducing administrative friction.

Strengthening crime controls

The technological integration also targets financial crime.

ClearTrade will run automated compliance and Trade Based Money Laundering checks, allowing NatWest to tighten oversight and lower operational risk.

Michael Gilham, Trade Product Lead, Commercial and Institutional at NatWest, says: “As Britain’s biggest business bank, we’re focused on giving customers the confidence to seize growth opportunities. 

“This partnership will help them trade in foreign markets with greater speed and certainty, while enabling our colleagues to deliver a more personalised and productive service.

“It will also strengthen protection against fraud and financial crime, by using innovative technology to enable us to provide better service to our customers.

“As we embrace leading, innovative technologies, we remain committed to harnessing them responsibly – enhancing customer experiences while strengthening our risk and control environment.

“At every stage, we will prioritise the safety, trust and wellbeing of our customers and colleagues.”

Scaling business outcomes

For banks handling large volumes of international trade, manual compliance checks represent a significant operational bottleneck. 

The adoption of intelligent automation allows financial institutions to scale their transaction volumes without a linear increase in risk or back-office costs.

Mariya George, CEO and Co-Founder of Cleareye.ai, adds: “NatWest is leading the way in reimagining trade finance, and we are proud to support their innovation journey.

“ClearTrade is purpose built to deliver both automation and compliance outcomes and we are excited to help NatWest unlock scalable impact for their teams and their clients.”

The deal reflects an ongoing shift within the commercial banking sector to futureproof trade operations.

Michael emphasised that the adoption of these tools must balance efficiency with safety, ensuring that customer trust is maintained as automated risk controls are introduced. 

Meanwhile, Mariya notes that the system is specifically configured to handle both compliance and automation simultaneously, addressing two of the largest operational challenges currently facing trade finance departments.