Steven Beck

Head of Trade Finance

Mr. Beck has managed the exponential growth of ADB’s Trade Finance Program, and implemented its first supply chain finance business. Prior to joining ADB, he worked for the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and was an advisor to the Canadian Minister of Finance. Mr. Beck played a key role in the start-up of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank, and was a consultant for USAID in Southern Africa and for a start-up financial institution in Armenia. Mr. Beck is on the Advisory Board of the International Chamber of Commerce Banking Commission, and a member of the WTO Working Group for Trade Finance.

During the pandemic, the supply chains that move medical goods and keep the world fed are under duress. Photo: iStock

Even with borders closing, we need to keep trade flowing

The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the need to support trade to not only move medical supplies but also to bolster economies

Trade finance increases women’s ability to fully participate in the global economy. Photo: Mimi Thian

The surprising link between trade finance and gender equality

To level the playing field in Asia and the Pacific, women-owned companies need financial backing to support their importing and exporting needs.

Developing international digital standards is the next big step for global trade. Photo: ADB

Why we need to act fast on international trade laws and standards

There’s one big element missing before we can create a truly transparent, seamless and open international trading framework.

Banks in the Pacific are coming up with new ways to spot suspicious transactions. Photo: ADB

Risky Business: Separating the criminals from the job creators

Criminals must be prevented from using the financial system but misdirected efforts to stop crime can harm small businesses and the jobs they create

New banking regulations have hurt remittances, which Pacific economies rely on.

Unlocking money flows in the Pacific

We need to protect the financial system from terrorism and money laundering. But the people of the Pacific should not pay the heaviest price.

ADB estimates the 2017 global trade finance gap at $1.5 trillion.

Trade finance gaps continue despite fintech breakthroughs

While trade and finance are changing dramatically, trade finance is shifting more slowly. What does this mean for SMEs?

Alisa DiCaprio, Steven Beck, Kijin Kim

Blockchain fintech is yet to fulfill its transformative potential. Photo by Monito.

How to turn blockchain fintech hype into reality

Blockchain fintech needs basic infrastructure to promote transparency and financial inclusion. Here are 3 ways this can be done.

In a blockchain, each block is “chained” to the previous one in a peer-to-peer data sharing network.

Blockchain pilots making waves in developing Asia

Peer-to-peer data sharing is being tested in Georgia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Myanmar.

Alisa DiCaprio, Steven Beck

ATM cash withdrawal.

A global ID system that could revolutionize finance

GLEIF will be a critically important contribution to help realize many of the current developments in fintech, and to spur more growth in cross-border trade.

Indian driver waits for his truck carrying cotton bales to be offloaded at the Wagah Cargo Terminal in Pakistan.

New thinking needed to boost trade

We need to better explain and implement free trade agreements, support other fast-growing emerging markets, keep closing trade financing gaps, and embrace new technologies to bring in more players.

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