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HONG KONG, Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its Embedded Financing Strategy, OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) Limited ("OCBC Bank Hong Kong") has partnered with GS1 Hong Kong ("GS1 HK") to launch a digital trade finance service that enables small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to receive approvals as fast as the same day upon the bank's receipt of transaction data. Leveraging OCBC's "One Group" approach and data-driven fintech capabilities, this collaboration helps local SMEs optimise cash flow, streamline financing, and accelerate business growth and regional expansion.
This partnership benefits banks, GS1 HK, and SMEs alike: it enhances risk management and approval efficiency for OCBC, demonstrates the value of reliable data from GS1 HK, and provides SMEs with faster, more transparent financing – eliminating the need for manual invoice submissions and supporting sustainable business development.
GS1 HK's standard-based platform, ezTRADE, digitalises approximately 24 million transactions of 1,700 companies annually, providing a reliable data foundation that facilitates banks to assess SME creditworthiness.
All business users of ezTRADE can now apply for OCBC Hong Kong's Effortless Invoice Financing service with significantly shortened approval lead time — approvals can be granted as fast as the same day. Upon users' consent, transaction data from ezTRADE provides the bank with detailed insights into trading activities and business performance, simplifying loan applications and expediting fund disbursement.
Since launching Embedded Financing in 2023, OCBC has approved nearly SGD200 million in loans to hundreds of SMEs across Asia by end-2024. Industry data shows that Effortless Invoice Financing can reduce approval times by up to 50%, underscoring the solution's efficiency and innovation.
Ms. Ruby Yiu, Head of Emerging Business of OCBC Hong Kong, said, "We are proud to collaborate with GS1 HK to provide timely and flexible working capital solutions in today's challenging business environment. SMEs can leverage their own transaction data to gain faster access to quality financial services. For seasonal businesses, such as ice cream retailers, quick financing turnaround is critical during peak periods. This initiative reflects our commitment to innovation and customer-centricity."
Ms. Anna Lin, Chief Executive of GS1 Hong Kong, said, "For years, ezTRADE has been playing a pivotal role in connecting major retailers, e-commerce platforms, food services, personal & beauty care, healthcare providers and their suppliers. By digitalising their day-to-day transaction documents, including purchase orders, invoices & shipment advice, ezTRADE enhances operational efficiency and drives sustainable development. We are pleased to collaborate with OCBC Hong Kong, empowering SMEs to leverage their aggregated data on the platform for streamlined credit assessment, thereby accelerating access to working capital for business needs and driving the development of Hong Kong's digital trade finance ecosystem."
To accelerate SME growth in the region, OCBC Hong Kong has established a cross-divisional expert team supporting integrated trade finance, foreign exchange, and cross-border payment services, offering tailored one-stop cross-border financial solutions. CREME CONCEPTS, a local SME, successfully leveraged ezTRADE data to secure credit funding, enhancing supply chain efficiency and expanding into Asian markets.
Ms. Natasha Chiam, founder of CREME CONCEPTS, shared, "OCBC Hong Kong's digital trade finance services perfectly meet our regional expansion needs. Fast, flexible banking support helps us manage cash flow, unlock funds for innovation, and grow confidently."
In alignment with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority's "FinTech 2030" strategy, OCBC Hong Kong continues to promote fintech ecosystems and data sharing to improve SME financing convenience and transparency, supporting sustainable growth and internationalisation.
To learn more about how OCBC Hong Kong supports local businesses in growing and seizing new opportunities, please visit: https://www.ocbc.com.hk/business-banking/en/index.html
About OCBC
OCBC is the longest established Singapore bank, formed in 1932 from the merger of three local banks, the oldest of which was founded in 1912. It is one of the world's most highly-rated banks, with Aa1 by Moody's and AA- by both Fitch and S&P. Recognised for its financial strength and stability, OCBC is consistently ranked among the World's Top 50 Safest Banks by Global Finance and has been named Best Managed Bank in Singapore by The Asian Banker.
OCBC is the second largest financial services group in Southeast Asia by assets. The Group offers a broad array of commercial banking, specialist financial and wealth management services, ranging from consumer, corporate, investment, private and transaction banking to treasury, insurance, asset management and stockbroking services.
OCBC's private banking services are provided by its wholly-owned subsidiary Bank of Singapore, which operates on a unique open-architecture product platform to source for the best-in-class products to meet its clients' goals. Its insurance subsidiary, Great Eastern Holdings, is the oldest and most established life insurance group in Singapore and Malaysia. Its asset management subsidiary, Lion Global Investors, is one of the leading asset management companies in Southeast Asia. Its brokerage subsidiary, OCBC Securities, is one of the leading securities firms in Singapore.
The Group's key markets are Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Greater China. It has close to 400 branches and representative offices in 19 countries and regions.
For more information, please visit www.ocbc.com.hk to learn more about OCBC Hong Kong.
About GS1 Hong Kong
GS1 Hong Kong is the local chapter of GS1®, a global, not-for-profit data standards organization headquartered in Brussels, Belgium and represented in over 120 countries. We help businesses identify, capture, and share trusted data across both physical and digital supply chains. Through global standards like GTIN (barcodes), GS1 Hong Kong empowers companies to improve efficiency, enhance visibility, and strengthen collaboration.
Building on these standards, we've developed platforms such as ezTRADE for B2B data exchange, ezTRACK for real-time traceability, and 1QR, a GS1 Digital Link-powered platform that delivers rich product information—certifications, sustainability data, and more—via 2D barcodes.
Our trusted data infrastructure now supports trade financing and Scope 3 emissions reporting, helping businesses meet ESG requirements.
In today's AI-driven economy, data quality is essential. GS1 Hong Kong provides a foundation for data that is accurate, visible, linkable, searchable, shareable, and traceable.
Website: www.gs1hk.org
HONG KONG, Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its Embedded Financing Strategy, OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) Limited ("OCBC Bank Hong Kong") has partnered with GS1 Hong Kong ("GS1 HK") to launch a digital trade finance service that enables small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to receive approvals as fast as the same day upon the bank's receipt of transaction data. Leveraging OCBC's "One Group" approach and data-driven fintech capabilities, this collaboration helps local SMEs optimise cash flow, streamline financing, and accelerate business growth and regional expansion.
This partnership benefits banks, GS1 HK, and SMEs alike: it enhances risk management and approval efficiency for OCBC, demonstrates the value of reliable data from GS1 HK, and provides SMEs with faster, more transparent financing – eliminating the need for manual invoice submissions and supporting sustainable business development.
GS1 HK's standard-based platform, ezTRADE, digitalises approximately 24 million transactions of 1,700 companies annually, providing a reliable data foundation that facilitates banks to assess SME creditworthiness.
All business users of ezTRADE can now apply for OCBC Hong Kong's Effortless Invoice Financing service with significantly shortened approval lead time — approvals can be granted as fast as the same day. Upon users' consent, transaction data from ezTRADE provides the bank with detailed insights into trading activities and business performance, simplifying loan applications and expediting fund disbursement.
Since launching Embedded Financing in 2023, OCBC has approved nearly SGD200 million in loans to hundreds of SMEs across Asia by end-2024. Industry data shows that Effortless Invoice Financing can reduce approval times by up to 50%, underscoring the solution's efficiency and innovation.
Ms. Ruby Yiu, Head of Emerging Business of OCBC Hong Kong, said, "We are proud to collaborate with GS1 HK to provide timely and flexible working capital solutions in today's challenging business environment. SMEs can leverage their own transaction data to gain faster access to quality financial services. For seasonal businesses, such as ice cream retailers, quick financing turnaround is critical during peak periods. This initiative reflects our commitment to innovation and customer-centricity."
Ms. Anna Lin, Chief Executive of GS1 Hong Kong, said, "For years, ezTRADE has been playing a pivotal role in connecting major retailers, e-commerce platforms, food services, personal & beauty care, healthcare providers and their suppliers. By digitalising their day-to-day transaction documents, including purchase orders, invoices & shipment advice, ezTRADE enhances operational efficiency and drives sustainable development. We are pleased to collaborate with OCBC Hong Kong, empowering SMEs to leverage their aggregated data on the platform for streamlined credit assessment, thereby accelerating access to working capital for business needs and driving the development of Hong Kong's digital trade finance ecosystem."
To accelerate SME growth in the region, OCBC Hong Kong has established a cross-divisional expert team supporting integrated trade finance, foreign exchange, and cross-border payment services, offering tailored one-stop cross-border financial solutions. CREME CONCEPTS, a local SME, successfully leveraged ezTRADE data to secure credit funding, enhancing supply chain efficiency and expanding into Asian markets.
Ms. Natasha Chiam, founder of CREME CONCEPTS, shared, "OCBC Hong Kong's digital trade finance services perfectly meet our regional expansion needs. Fast, flexible banking support helps us manage cash flow, unlock funds for innovation, and grow confidently."
In alignment with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority's "FinTech 2030" strategy, OCBC Hong Kong continues to promote fintech ecosystems and data sharing to improve SME financing convenience and transparency, supporting sustainable growth and internationalisation.
To learn more about how OCBC Hong Kong supports local businesses in growing and seizing new opportunities, please visit: https://www.ocbc.com.hk/business-banking/en/index.html
About OCBC
OCBC is the longest established Singapore bank, formed in 1932 from the merger of three local banks, the oldest of which was founded in 1912. It is one of the world's most highly-rated banks, with Aa1 by Moody's and AA- by both Fitch and S&P. Recognised for its financial strength and stability, OCBC is consistently ranked among the World's Top 50 Safest Banks by Global Finance and has been named Best Managed Bank in Singapore by The Asian Banker.
OCBC is the second largest financial services group in Southeast Asia by assets. The Group offers a broad array of commercial banking, specialist financial and wealth management services, ranging from consumer, corporate, investment, private and transaction banking to treasury, insurance, asset management and stockbroking services.
OCBC's private banking services are provided by its wholly-owned subsidiary Bank of Singapore, which operates on a unique open-architecture product platform to source for the best-in-class products to meet its clients' goals. Its insurance subsidiary, Great Eastern Holdings, is the oldest and most established life insurance group in Singapore and Malaysia. Its asset management subsidiary, Lion Global Investors, is one of the leading asset management companies in Southeast Asia. Its brokerage subsidiary, OCBC Securities, is one of the leading securities firms in Singapore.
The Group's key markets are Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Greater China. It has close to 400 branches and representative offices in 19 countries and regions.
For more information, please visit www.ocbc.com.hk to learn more about OCBC Hong Kong.
About GS1 Hong Kong
GS1 Hong Kong is the local chapter of GS1®, a global, not-for-profit data standards organization headquartered in Brussels, Belgium and represented in over 120 countries. We help businesses identify, capture, and share trusted data across both physical and digital supply chains. Through global standards like GTIN (barcodes), GS1 Hong Kong empowers companies to improve efficiency, enhance visibility, and strengthen collaboration.
Building on these standards, we've developed platforms such as ezTRADE for B2B data exchange, ezTRACK for real-time traceability, and 1QR, a GS1 Digital Link-powered platform that delivers rich product information—certifications, sustainability data, and more—via 2D barcodes.
Our trusted data infrastructure now supports trade financing and Scope 3 emissions reporting, helping businesses meet ESG requirements.
In today's AI-driven economy, data quality is essential. GS1 Hong Kong provides a foundation for data that is accurate, visible, linkable, searchable, shareable, and traceable.
Website: www.gs1hk.org
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
OCBC Hong Kong Partners with GS1 HK to Launch Digital Trade Finance Service Enabling Same-Day Approvals for SMEs
LOS ANGELES, May 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Vastnaut, a pioneering wearable robotics startup, today announced the successful conclusion of its three-day Demo Day in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles (May 21-23). In an unprecedented move for the consumer exoskeleton category, Vastnaut broke away from usual crowdfunding practices by inviting outdoor explorers, everyday users, and passersby to physically test Vastnaut One—the world's first AI-powered 4x4 exoskeleton—while its crowdfunding campaign is still actively running.
Building trust through genuine transparency
For early-stage hardware startups, the crowdfunding phase is often plagued by polished videos and exaggerated spec sheets that overpromise and underdeliver, leading to a growing gap in consumer trust. Vastnaut chose to tackle this head-on. The Los Angeles event was designed with one clear goal: genuine transparency. Rather than asking backers to blindly trust digital promises, Vastnaut brought the physical product directly to the community, proving that their breakthrough wearable technology is ready for the real world.
"It doesn't feel like a machine": what early adopters are actually saying
During the event, attendees were invited to walk up and down flights of stairs, perform deep crouches, and strap on heavy hiking backpacks to experience Vastnaut One's active assistance and load relief firsthand.
"It honestly feels like my own legs just got a massive upgrade," said Alex T., an amateur landscape photographer. "Since it's helping out my hips and knees at the same time, it doesn't feel like you're wearing a machine. It just moves right with you, whether you're bending down for a shot or taking the stairs."
Other attendees tested the system against typical exoskeleton pain points. "I actually brought my own 60-liter pack just to see if the frame would get in the way," noted Sarah M., an avid hiker and early backer. "It totally cleared my gear without bumping into anything. And the moment I hit the stairs, it felt like the weight of the bag just vanished. It's pretty incredible."
Weighing just 2.7 kg thanks to its 86% aerospace-grade carbon fiber construction, Vastnaut One demonstrated its ability to effectively reduce knee impact by up to 35% and uphill effort by 30% during the live demonstrations.
Los Angeles is just the beginning
"Los Angeles is just the first stop for us," the Vastnaut team stated. "We believe that building genuine trust means putting the physical product directly into our users' hands. The incredible feedback we received here proves that our industry-first End-to-End AI and 4x4 architecture truly resonate with people once they step into it. We will be taking this physical tour to other cities globally, ensuring that our community remains at the very heart of our journey."
The Vastnaut One is currently live on Kickstarter, where the campaign continues to gain momentum following the successful Los Angeles showcase.
For more information about Vastnaut One, future Demo Day stops, or to join the ongoing crowdfunding campaign, visit Vastnaut official website and its Kickstarter page.
About Vastnaut
Vastnaut is a wearable robotics company founded by engineers from leading consumer hardware brands such as DJI and EcoFlow. Combining deep expertise in robotics, biomechanics, and control systems, the company is guided by the belief that technology should extend human capability in practical, meaningful ways.
The company develops intuitive wearable robotics that build synergy between humans and the world, inspiring people to explore with amplified strength, confidence, and freedom.
Vastnaut One, the company's first product, is an AI-powered 4×4 exoskeleton built for tough terrain. Its 4×4 (4-joint × 4-motor) structure delivers powerful assistance and comprehensive multi-joint support across a variety of rugged landscapes.
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Vastnaut Wraps Up Its First Los Angeles Demo Day, Letting Supporters Live-Test the 4x4 Exoskeleton
