For complex optimization problems in the financial services industry, specialized quantum computer can server as a transformative tool. Focusing on loan portfolio pricing optimization, we demonstrate the application potentials and advantages of quantum computing in financial optimization problems. For the first time, the loan portfolio pricing problem is modeled as a Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) problem, and then solved by a specialized quantum computer, Coherent Ising Machine (CIM) based on optical dissipative systems. By introducing an auxiliary qubit and conducting a two-stage search for the appropriate penalty coefficients, we demonstrate the applicability and advantages of CIM in the loan portfolio pricing optimization problem. The experimental results demonstrate that compared to state-of-the-art classical solvers, CIM achieves significant acceleration capability and energy efficiency beyond classical methods. Furthermore, by conducting numerical and analytical evaluations of CIM’s scalability in the loan portfolio pricing optimization, we demonstrate the convergence guarantees of CIM and its ability to achieve a better solution quality than the state-of-the-art classical solver in large-scale problems.
For complex optimization problems in the financial services industry, specialized quantum computer can server as a transformative tool. Focusing on loan portfolio pricing optimization, we demonstrate the application potentials and advantages of quantum computing in financial optimization problems. For the first time, the loan portfolio pricing problem is modeled as a Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) problem, and then solved by a specialized quantum computer, Coherent Ising Machine (CIM) based on optical dissipative systems. By introducing an auxiliary qubit and conducting a two-stage search for the appropriate penalty coefficients, we demonstrate the applicability and advantages of CIM in the loan portfolio pricing optimization problem. The experimental results demonstrate that compared to state-of-the-art classical solvers, CIM achieves significant acceleration capability and energy efficiency beyond classical methods. Furthermore, by conducting numerical and analytical evaluations of CIM’s scalability in the loan portfolio pricing optimization, we demonstrate the convergence guarantees of CIM and its ability to achieve a better solution quality than the state-of-the-art classical solver in large-scale problems.
Quantum computing has emerged as a transformative computational paradigm, offering novel capabilities to tackle complex problems in finance—most notably in derivative pricing, risk management, and portfolio optimization. This review synthesizes recent advances in quantum algorithms and hybrid quantum–classical frameworks as applied to financial services, examining how technologies such as quantum-annealing, quantum amplitude estimation, and variational quantum circuits can improve efficiency, accuracy, and scalability over classical methods. The study provides a systematic assessment of key use-cases: (1) derivative pricing and greeks computation via quantum Monte Carlo and amplitude estimation; (2) risk management enhancements, including Value-at-Risk (VaR) and conditional VaR through quantum gradient estimation; and (3) portfolio optimization via QUBO (quadratic unconstrained binary optimization) mapping, the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) and quantum annealing approaches. In addition to reviewing technological potential, the paper addresses critical barriers—hardware noise, coherence limitations, data integration, regulatory considerations—and outlines future research directions, including quantum-resilient cryptography in finance and industry coupling. By bringing together algorithmic, financial and regulatory perspectives, this review seeks to guide academics and practitioners toward the next frontier in financial computing.
In this study, the portfolio optimization problem is explored, using a combination of classical and quantum computing techniques. The portfolio optimization problem with specific objectives or constraints is often a quadratic optimization problem, due to the quadratic nature of, for example, risk measures. Quantum computing is a promising solution for quadratic optimization problems, as it can leverage quantum annealing and quantum approximate optimization algorithms, which are expected to tackle these problems more efficiently. Quantum computing takes advantage of quantum phenomena like superposition and entanglement. In this paper, a specific problem is introduced, where a portfolio of loans need to be optimized for 2030, considering ‘Return on Capital’ and ‘Concentration Risk’ objectives, as well as a carbon footprint constraint. This paper introduces the formulation of the problem and how it can be optimized using quantum computing, using a reformulation of the problem as a quadratic unconstrained binary optimization (QUBO) problem. Two QUBO formulations are presented, each addressing different aspects of the problem. The QUBO formulation succeeded in finding solutions that met the emission constraint, although classical simulated annealing still outperformed quantum annealing in solving this QUBO, in terms of solutions close to the Pareto frontier. Overall, this paper provides insights into how quantum computing can address complex optimization problems in the financial sector. It also highlights the potential of quantum computing for providing more efficient and robust solutions for portfolio management.
Quantum computing has emerged as a revolutionary computational paradigm capable of solving complex optimization and probabilistic problems that are computationally expensive for classical computers. The financial industry, characterized by large-scale datasets, uncertainty, stochastic behavior, and multidimensional optimization challenges, is increasingly exploring quantum computing to enhance decision-making processes. This paper presents a comprehensive investigation into the applications of quantum computing in financial modeling, emphasizing portfolio optimization, derivative pricing, risk assessment, fraud detection, and algorithmic trading. Unlike conventional computational techniques that suffer from exponential complexity when processing high-dimensional financial data, quantum algorithms leverage superposition, entanglement, and quantum parallelism to improve computational efficiency and solution quality. The study discusses fundamental quantum computing concepts, analyzes existing financial modeling frameworks, and examines how quantum algorithms such as Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA), Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE), Quantum Monte Carlo (QMC), Grover’s Search Algorithm, and Quantum Machine Learning (QML) contribute to solving real-world financial problems. Furthermore, the paper reviews recent research developments, identifies implementation challenges associated with noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices, and highlights future opportunities for hybrid quantum-classical financial systems. The findings demonstrate that quantum computing has significant potential to transform computational finance by improving prediction accuracy, accelerating optimization tasks, and enabling scalable financial analytics for next-generation intelligent financial ecosystems.
Loan portfolio optimization (LPO) seeks portfolios that minimize credit risk while satisfying practical selection constraints. Accounting for portfolio-level risk requires modeling not only expected losses but also loss variability and borrower-default correlations, leading to a large-scale combinatorial optimization problem whose complexity grows rapidly with portfolio size. In this work, we formulate LPO as a Quadratic Constrained Binary Optimization (QCBO) problem that jointly captures expected and unexpected losses and transform the resulting formulation into a Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) model suitable for variational quantum optimization. To address the limited qubit resources of current quantum hardware, we employ Pauli Correlation Encoding (PCE), which enables a large number of portfolio-selection variables to be represented using comparatively few qubits. The proposed framework is evaluated on a real-world microfinance dataset comprising 2012 borrowers. For problem instances with up to 1000 portfolio-selection variables, we benchmark classical simulations of a variational quantum algorithm (VQA) against Google OR-Tools under matched time budgets, obtaining feasible portfolios with an objective-value gap of about 40% across all sizes. We further implement the framework on superconducting quantum hardware for instances containing up to 1500 variables. Across these instances, the experimentally obtained objective values are within 10% of the corresponding simulation results. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of applying PCE-based variational quantum optimization to large-scale loan portfolio optimization under current quantum hardware limitations.
Quantum annealing has emerged as a promising computational paradigm for solving large-scale combinatorial optimization problems that are intractable for classical algorithms. Financial portfolio optimization, which involves balancing expected returns against risk under multiple practical constraints, represents one of the most challenging optimization tasks in quantitative finance. Traditional approaches based on mean-variance theory, heuristic meta-optimization, and classical quadratic programming often struggle to scale efficiently as the dimensionality of assets and constraints increases. This study explores the application of quantum annealing techniques to financial portfolio optimization by formulating the problem as a quadratic unconstrained binary optimization model suitable for quantum hardware. The paper provides a systematic mapping of portfolio objectives and constraints into the Ising Hamiltonian framework and analyzes how quantum tunneling and probabilistic state transitions can enhance convergence toward near-global optima. Comparative insights between classical solvers and quantum annealing-based approaches are discussed in terms of solution quality, computational efficiency, and scalability. Furthermore, the study highlights current hardware limitations, embedding challenges, and noise effects that influence optimization performance. The findings indicate that quantum annealing offers substantial potential for accelerating portfolio optimization in high-dimensional financial systems, particularly in scenarios involving complex constraints and dynamic market conditions, thereby establishing a foundation for future quantum-driven financial decision-support systems.
Quantum computing has the potential to improve financial portfolio optimization by addressing scalability and computational complexity issues. This article explores the application of quantum algorithms to portfolio optimization. It begins by discussing the limitations of classical optimization methods and introduces the basics of quantum computing. Two key quantum algorithms, quantum annealing and the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA), are presented in detail. These algorithms are applied to solve the Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) formulation of the portfolio optimization problem. The article provides a high-level quantum algorithm, along with its pseudo-code Python implementation. The potential computational speedup of quantum algorithms is analyzed, highlighting the theoretical quadratic speedup over classical methods. However, the article also acknowledges the challenges and limitations currently facing quantum computing. It also concludes by emphasizing the promising future of quantum computing in finance and encourages further research to unlock the full potential of quantum technologies in portfolio optimization and other complex financial problems.