Barclays has partnered with AI firm ExpectAI to pilot a platform that helps SMEs translate sustainability efforts into actionable insights and business growth.
Barclays has announced it will begin testing ExpectAI’s Una platform with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK, aiming to provide AI-driven sustainability insights that can improve operational efficiency and profitability. The initiative marks a significant step in the bank’s efforts to support businesses in aligning environmental goals with commercial performance.
The Una platform leverages artificial intelligence to create digital twins of SME operations, providing a detailed view of energy usage, carbon footprint, and other sustainability metrics. By simulating different scenarios, the platform generates personalized recommendations for reducing emissions, improving resource efficiency, and identifying potential cost savings. Barclays highlighted that linking these insights to verified solution providers and funding partners can accelerate implementation and adoption among SMEs.
According to Daniel Hanna, Group Head of Sustainable and Transition Finance at Barclays, the pilot is designed to evaluate whether AI-powered insights can help SMEs make sustainability decisions that are both effective and economically beneficial. He emphasized that Barclays sees artificial intelligence as a key enabler for businesses to balance environmental responsibility with growth.
Anand Verma, Founder and CEO of ExpectAI, reported that the partnership will provide SMEs with a practical way to integrate sustainability into daily operations while enhancing productivity and profitability. He added that Barclays’ long-standing SME expertise makes it an ideal partner for scaling the platform and demonstrating measurable impact.
The collaboration reflects a broader trend among financial institutions to embed sustainability and digital innovation into client services. By combining Barclays’ banking expertise with ExpectAI’s AI capabilities, the project aims to turn sustainability data into actionable business intelligence, enabling SMEs to compete more effectively while meeting evolving environmental expectations.
Barclays’ announcement, shared via its corporate website and supported by partner social media commentary, underlines the bank’s commitment to helping SMEs adopt practical, data-driven sustainability solutions. The pilot will run in early 2026, with results expected to guide broader deployment across the bank’s SME client base, reinforcing Barclays’ strategy of integrating technology, sustainability, and commercial support for small businesses.
