Loans

A new report from the British Business Bank (BBB) has found that SME lending in the UK returned to pre-pandemic levels in 2021, writes TFG’s Marcus Lankford.

Twenty years ago Asia had a 12% share of the global factoring market. Today that share is 25%.

In this article, FCI’s Lin Hui looks at factoring’s two decades of steady growth in Asia, and where the industry goes from here…

Trade finance as an asset class has benefitted from developments in loan and debt capital markets, which have led the way in sustainable product development.

The notion of ‘debt-trap policy’ has elicited much debate about whether entities that deliberately flex their financial muscle to exert dominance over desperate countries exist. This work highlights its meaning, the actors, and its effects on trade and economic development.

EUF plays an important role for our industry today more than ever and confirming FCI’s support regarding the lobbying of the new definition of default with the EBA.

TFG heard from Robert Meters on the significant role of trade credit insurance in the current economic crisis the global trade is facing.

TFG heard from Dr. Özge TOSUN, legal counsel at Export Credit Bank of TURKEY (Turk Eximbank) on the various surety bond dilemmas in Turkish insurance including the impracticality of expecting Turkish law to govern all overseas contracts.

Having an understanding of the types of LC availability, and the differences between them, will help the beneficiary formulate the terms of the letters of credit that it would be willing to accept, and to mention such terms in their discussions and sales contracts with their clients.

Under the Export Development Guarantee (EDG), UKEF can provide partial guarantees covering up to 80 per cent of the risk to lenders for a maximum repayment period of up to five years.

As lockdowns became the norm around the globe, governments have had to step in to support their economies due to the substantial downturn in economic activity – breaking stimulus records in the process.

Considering the stakes involved in managing the AML/KYC compliances are high, banks/ FI should carefully assess the options available with them and look holistically to mitigate the risk.

SMEs need to explore innovative financing options like trade credit insurance as they plan and prepare for the “new normal”.

By leveraging technology for insights, a banker can make well-informed decisions, in compliance with audit and ethics, which are in the best interest of the bank.

The value of Trade Finance Programs, which if combined with regulatory and technological innovation, is destined to hasten the closing trade finance gap and bring broader positive economic outcomes for nations.

From the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement to MANSA, TFG heard from Afreximbank on how they are addressing the challenges around African trade