Citi’s Asia payment flows grew 60% in H1 2026

Cross-border flows between Taiwan and Singapore grew 90%.

Citi’s overall payment flows rose 40% year-on-year (YoY) in the first six months of 2026, with growth recorded across every major region, the bank said.

Growth in technology payments led the way with a 50% YoY increase, led by Asia and Latin America, where flows grew by 60% and 58%, respectively, Citi found in a survey of 700 large corporates and 150 suppliers.

Citi noted that trade routes are shifting alongside these payment flows, such as Brazil and Argentina helping cement Latin America as China’s dominant agricultural supplier by capturing between a third and nearly half of total import share in recent quarters. Latin America is the largest overall gainer, Citi said.

Cross-border flows between Taiwan to Singapore grew 90%, whilst flows from the US to Taiwan rose by 36%.

Africa has emerged as one of the fastest-growing destinations, doubling its share of payment flows to 15% in 2026, from 8% in 2022, according to Citi.

Adonis Cestari, global head of trade and working capital solutions for Citi Services, said that the data shows that trade, investment, and payments flows are still growing.

Trade, investment and payments flows are still growing, just through different markets and corridors than they did a decade ago. Companies are adapting to that reality while looking for ways to operate more efficiently amid ongoing uncertainty and make better use of their liquidity,” Cestari said.