YES BANK implements multi-nodal Blockchain solution in India

YES BANK, India’s 5^th largest private sector bank today announced that they have implemented a multi-nodal Blockchain transaction to fully digitize vendor financing for Bajaj Electricals. The implementation has been done on a blockchain-based smart contract written by fintech start-up Cateina Technologies. YES BANK will also leverage IBM Watson Conversation, a cloud-based cognitive service, to enhance the digital experience of partners, corporate clients and developers collaborating with them on the integrated Blockchain – API Banking platform.

Capitalising on the efficiency and security features of Blockchain, YES BANK has used the Hyperledger Fabric supported by IBM to design a vendor financing solution which allows Bajaj Electricals (anchor client) to digitize the process for discounting and disbursal of funds to its vendors by integrating seamlessly with YES BANK’s systems. The solution will also facilitate an automated debit from Bajaj Electricals’ account by YES BANK. The business logic and rules are captured in a smartcontract (Chain Code) developed by Cateina Technologies. The key business advantages and highlights of this blockchain implementation for vendor financing include

ü  The entire process cycle for bill discounting reduces from four days (owing to manual intervention and transit) to almost real-time

ü  Transparency to all parties through blockchain’s shared public ledger

ü  End-to-end digital process eliminating paper trail & manual intervention

ü  The entire transaction history of a particular vendor is recorded and is immutable through blockchain

ü  The transaction status along with details are seamlessly transmitted to Bajaj Electricals’ Enterprise Resource Planning

ü  Seamless integration with existing API Banking implementation by YES BANK using IBM’s Enterprise Service Bus(IIB), API management and Datapower solution. This integration offers automated processing of transactions with almost zero manual intervention. YES BANK was the 1^st Bank in India to launch API Banking services, which was also in collaboration with IBM in 2015.

ü  Use of a permissioned blockchain with flexibility to add other participants later

ü  Use of superior Cryptokey to offer state-of-the-art security for both documents and transactions on the Blockchain.

Speaking on the implementation, Mr. Rana Kapoor, MD&CEO, YES BANK, said,” Since inception, YES BANK has used technology and innovation, as mission critical pillars, to offer a superior banking experience to its corporate and retail customers. Our Blockchain implementation is a continuation of this philosophy to offer revolutionary banking technology to our clients.

“We are glad that Bajaj Electricals is undertaking this technological leap and working with us to solve the current challenges in Vendor Financing solutions by effectively utilising blockchain capabilities. I strongly believe that we are only at the tip of the iceberg,and envision that Blockchain coupled with IBM’s Cognitive solution on Cloud platformwill make a significant impact in the global Transaction Banking space by ensuring that the Financial Supply Chain is more robust, secure, seamlessly connected and provides a great customer experience.”

Vanitha Narayanan, Managing Director, IBM India Pvt. Ltd.said, “IBM is pleased to work with YES BANK as a valued client in the banking industry. With decades of industry leadership, we believe that cognitive systems that understand, reason and learn, in combination with blockchain networks and delivered on Cloud can transform operations, compliance and engagement, delivering truly individualised and secure client experiences. YES Bank has been an early adopter of technology to transform employee and client experiences and we look forward to a continued partnership with them.’’

Shekhar Bajaj, CMD, Bajaj Electricals, said, ”The BlockChain solution by YES BANK is a significant step towards digitally integrated solution for supply chain financing. This solution enables us to do timely processing of the vendor payment through vendor financing from the bank without physical documents and manual intervention. It also enables us and our vendor to track the status of the transactions on real time basis.”