Crédit Agricole CIB and Quandela Advance Quantum-Enhanced Credit Risk Modeling with Photonic Processors

Crédit Agricole CIB and Quandela Advance Quantum-Enhanced Credit Risk Modeling with Photonic Processors

(IN BRIEF) Crédit Agricole CIB and Quandela have revealed the results of their collaboration on developing a hybrid classical-quantum algorithm that improves credit default risk prediction models. Validated for the first time using photonic quantum processors, the solution demonstrates enhanced predictive performance compared to classical computing techniques. The innovation opens new possibilities for financial applications, including risk management and portfolio optimization. Crédit Agricole CIB’s Deputy CEO, Pierre Dulon, emphasized the strategic importance of integrating quantum and classical computing for risk prevention and operational efficiency, while Quandela CEO Niccolo Somaschi highlighted the achievement as proof that quantum computing is ready for practical deployment in finance. This collaboration underscores how quantum technologies can deliver tangible business value by transforming data-intensive modeling in the financial industry.

(PRESS RELEASE) MONTROUGE, 9-Oct-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Crédit Agricole CIB and Quandela, one of Europe’s leading quantum computing pioneers, have announced the successful outcome of their joint project aimed at developing a quantum-enhanced solution for credit default risk prediction. The collaboration marks a significant milestone in applying quantum technologies to real-world financial use cases, demonstrating measurable improvements over traditional computing models.

Together, the two teams designed a hybrid classical-quantum algorithm that delivers superior predictive accuracy in credit risk modeling compared to existing classical methods. The enhanced performance—validated for the first time on photonic quantum processors—highlights the transformative potential of quantum computing in areas such as financial risk assessment, portfolio optimization, and high-performance analytics.

This breakthrough represents a key step toward leveraging quantum innovation in finance, showing how partnerships between technology leaders and financial institutions can unlock new computational capabilities.

“The complementarity of classical and quantum algorithms opens exciting possibilities in our high-performance computing strategy, particularly for risk prevention and resource optimization,” said Pierre Dulon, Deputy CEO of Crédit Agricole CIB in charge of IT & Operations Services. “This collaboration with a major quantum industry player reinforces our commitment to advancing quantum technologies and their applications in finance.”

Niccolo Somaschi, co-founder and CEO of Quandela, added: “Our partnership with Crédit Agricole CIB proves that quantum computing is no longer confined to the laboratory—it is ready to tackle real-world challenges in the financial sector. The improvement we achieved using our photonic quantum processors for credit default prediction marks just the beginning. As we continue to advance our technology, we expect to deliver even greater performance gains, providing a strong competitive advantage to early adopters of hybrid quantum-classical approaches.”

A photonic quantum processor uses particles of light—photons—to perform quantum computations, enabling faster and more energy-efficient processing for complex data analysis tasks. The validation of this approach within a live financial context showcases the readiness of quantum technologies to enhance predictive analytics and decision-making in banking and risk management.

Press contacts :

Paris — Eric Pons +33 (0)6 08 63 03 20 / eric.pons@ca-cib.com (Crédit Agricole CIB)
Paris — Cécile Di Palma +33 (0)6 15 71 59 83 / cecile.dipalma@ca-cib.com (Crédit Agricole CIB)
Iva Baytcheva +33(0)6 28 59 07 03 / ibaytcheva@ulysse-communication.com (Quandela)
Charles Courbet +33(0)6 28 93 03 06 / ccourbet@ulysse-communication.com (Quandela)

About Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (Crédit Agricole CIB)
Crédit Agricole CIB is the corporate and investment banking arm of Crédit Agricole Group, the 10th largest banking group worldwide by total assets in 2024 (The Banker, July 2025). With over 10,000 employees across Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, the Bank supports large and midcap corporates and institutional clients, helping them meet both local and global financial needs. Crédit Agricole CIB offers a comprehensive range of products and services in capital markets, investment banking, structured finance, commercial banking and international trade. The Bank is a pioneer in climate finance, and a market leader in sustainable finance, providing a full spectrum of solutions to all its clients.

For more information, please visit www.ca-cib.com

About Quandela
Quandela is a leading quantum computing company. Quandela designs, builds, and delivers industrygrade quantum computing solutions, including datacentre-ready quantum computing systems, cloudaccessible quantum processors, and algorithm services with industrial value. Quandela is committed to making advanced quantum computing accessible to all, empowering innovators to solve the most pressing industrial and societal challenges.

Learn more at www.quandela.com

SOURCE: Crédit Agricole S.A.