The US trade deficit is not all it seems and President Trump could claim a ‘big win’ should he choose to clamp down on companies’ tax optimisation activities.

ING and HSBC have run their second blockchain pilot using the Voltron platform to make trade finance transactions digital and more efficient. The deal, for Tricon Energy, is the second blockchain pilot the two banks have run together using the Voltron platform to digitise trade finance documents.

ING recorded strong commercial momentum with continued growth in primary customers and core lending, leading to an underlying pre-tax result of €2,124 million, and net result of €776 million.

With the introduction of its zero-knowledge set membership (ZKSM) solution, ING’s blockchain team achieved another milestone in overcoming challenges related to privacy on distributed ledger technology.

With global water resources under ever-increasing stress, a new report from WWF, ING and BCG calls for urgent efforts by corporates, investors, governments and NGOs to deliver sustainable, bankable freshwater projects, which will help improve water security, create financial value and enhance the health of the world’s river basins.

Global Trade Review magazine has announced the winners of the GTR Leaders in Trade Awards 2018. ING was named winner for Best Commodities Trade Finance Bank in the world during an award ceremony held in London on 26 April.

ING Corporate Finance was recognised as the best Benelux M&A Financial Adviser of the Year 2017 by Mergermarket.