Sibos 2026: Crédit Agricole Payment Services' Etienne Bernard on Agentic AI and Partnerships

Quick Summary

The banking landscape is defined by a unique blend of competition and collaboration. Etienne Bernard of Crédit Agricole Payment Services explains at Sibos 2026 how the industry is moving beyond traditional networks to embrace Agentic AI and a new era of Know Your Agent (KYA) protocols.

How does Crédit Agricole Payment Services view the relationship between competing banks?

The industry operates in an environment where banks are simultaneously competitors and partners. Etienne Bernard notes that while hundreds of banks at Sibos 2026 compete for business, they also team up to ensure the best possible outcomes for the network. The way Crédit Agricole Payment Services answers customer needs is not limited to its own internal network: it relies on deep partnerships with other banks and technical providers to create a more complete and efficient offer.

Why is Sibos 2026 a vital event for the banking industry?

The event serves two primary purposes for the firm:

• Sales Efficiency: It provides a unique opportunity to meet hundreds of customers in a single location, making it an extremely efficient period for sales teams.
• Market Intelligence: It allows the firm to understand emerging trends and identify any gaps in their current understanding of the market.

What role will Agentic AI play in the future of cash and trade?

Agentic AI is set to evolve significantly in the coming years, particularly in how it mixes cash and trade functions. Etienne Bernard explains that this technology can handle RFPs automatically, determining pricing and issuing guarantees without manual intervention. Beyond the back office, it will improve customer service by being more reliant and efficient. The most significant change is that Agentic AI will act on behalf of the customer, pushing trade and payment instruments rather than just reacting to them.

What is the shift from KYC to KYA?

As Agentic AI begins to play a more active role in financial transactions, the industry must adapt its compliance and relationship models. Etienne Bernard suggests that the traditional Know Your Customer (KYC) framework will need to expand to include Know Your Agent (KYA). This shift acknowledges that the primary actor in a transaction may soon be an AI agent acting for a human or corporate client, a change that needs to be included in the scope of industry updates as early as this year.

FF NEWS TAKE:

The transition from KYC to KYA represents a fundamental shift in the trust architecture of global finance. As Etienne Bernard highlights, the rise of Agentic AI means that banks are no longer just servicing human decision-makers but are interacting with autonomous digital agents. This evolution requires a sophisticated balance of technical partnership and robust compliance, ensuring that the efficiency gains in trade and cash management do not outpace the industry's ability to verify and secure these automated interactions.