GTR Magazine - November/December 2007
Insurance - Credit Crunch Impact
The buzzword of this year - 'credit crunch' - has been banded about with solemnity and gloomy caution recently. At least by banks that is: insurers have generally yet to see the full impact of the squeeze, as Helen Castell, finds out.
Insurance - Roundtable Discussion
GTR recently brought together 10 well-known brokers and insurers in London to discuss some of the more salient trends and issues in the trade credits and political risk insurance industries. With these markets seemingly poised for a turn, as the financial market events of 2007 begin to bite into risk perceptions globally, the talk around the table provided a series of revealing insights into how this business is being approached.
Insurance - Lloyd's Market
The Market Association Political Risks and Financial Contingencies Business Panel at Lloyd's of London has been developing regulations on what Lloyd’s underwriters can do in the area of trade finance. Andrew Underwood, Head of Political Risks at Lloyd’s underwriter Hiscox, explains further.
Insurance - Basel II
A new era is upon us next year when Basel II comes into force worldwide, says Robert Piller, Director of Aupres Consult, in Geneva. He explains the issues that insurers should be aware of.
Insurance - Market Volume
It's a huge market with vast amounts underwritten each year. But we don't really know too much about the true size and profitability of the credit and political risk insurance market globally, argues Robert Svensk
Insurance - Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency
The Political Risk Insurance Center (PRI-Center) was launched by the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (Miga) of the World Bank Group in November 2006. One year on, Miga's Stephan Dreyhaupt describes progress so far.
Forfaiting - Annual Meeting 2007
Cannes was the setting for this year's International Forfaiting Association (IFA) conference. With its beachfront location, the conference continued in the vein of its predecessors providing plenty of opportunity for networking, socialising, dining, and in the case of this year even taking a dip in the sea, writes Rebecca Spong.
Forfaiting - Market Report
From its origins in US sub-prime markets, the credit turmoil in the capital markets is beginning to affect confidence and activity levels across the financial spectrum. But what is a 'crisis' for some, could prove to be an opportune moment for forfaiters. Rebecca Spong assesses the market.
Canada - Local Banks
Canadian banks have rarely been seen at the forefront of trade finance developments, but with both domestic and global competition becoming tough, they are now picking up the pace, writes Rebecca Spong.
Canada - Financing SMEs
The Canadian banking market has seen the development of some innovative trade finance solutions specifically targeted at the SME market. GTR speaks to Carole-Ann Miller, president and CEO of Maple Trade Finance, about the company's niche position in supporting Canada's exporters.
Canada - Export Finance
Export Development Canada (EDC) is a unique institution when compared to other export credit agencies. With its progressive business model, it represents Canadian interests overseas with more obvious success than its counterparts in other countries. Yet its tactics still provoke debate, writes Rebecca Spong.
Trade Services & the Supply Chain - Sibos Report
We sent our supply chain and technology editor, Justin Pugsley, over to Boston to pick up the latest news and feeling at Sibos this year - Swift's annual meeting. Supply chain finance (SCF) is stepping up a gear with a host of agreements and activity noted.
Trade Services & the Supply Chain - Pre-shipment SCF
Farooq Siddiqi, Director, Transaction Banking, Global Supply Chain Finance Sales, at Standard Chartered Bank, explains how the pre-shipment elements of supply chain financing work and how they can benefit all those concerned.
Trade Services & Supply Chain - Company Profile: Misys
Banking and healthcare software group Misys was busy in the run-up to and during Sibos itself this year, writes Justin Pugsley. The company is in the early stages of a 'turnaround programme' which could later position it a lot differently than today.
Americas - Deal Analysis
Construction of deep-sea oil drill ships for Brazilian companies has led to a number of innovative financing structures. Petrobras initiated the deals via its PROMINP programme. Rebecca Spong takes a look at two deals closed under the scheme.
Latin America - Brazilian Soft Commodities
Pre-export finance activity is soaring in Brazil on the back of crop prices and liquidity, writes Luis Waldmann.
Latin America - Brazilian Mezzanine Finance
nnovative export support is landing in Brazil, writes Luis Waldmann, with the likes of DEG and
Sub-Saharan Africa - Nigeria
Following the return of democracy in 1999, Nigeria has embarked upon a series of economic reforms, which look set to be yielding fruit. Her banking, retail, agriculture and oil and gas sectors are heralding dramatic changes, leading to substant
Sub-Saharan Africa - Charles Soludo, Governor, CBN
Charles Soludo , governor of the Nigerian central bank, is regarded by many as Africa's best banker. He is seen as the new face of the economic renaissance that is sweeping across the continent, Ayo Akinfe argues
Sub-Saharan Africa - Democratic Republic of Congo
After decades of brutal dictatorship, the mismanagement of its economy and rampant corruption, the Democratic Republic of Congo looks set to turn the corner as investment in its copper industry is poised to herald a new wave of socioeconomic de
Sub-Saharan Africa - Cocoa
Due to increased demand, primarily as a result of rising consumption in booming economies like China, West African cocoa farmers are under increased pressure to boost production. They thus require trade finance to fund expansion, writes Ayo
Environmental Issues - Carbon Trading
Big money stands to be made from the environmental sector and banks are rushing to get their clean technology and environmental financing teams together. But how quickly are banks getting in on the carbon trading game, is the market maturing, and will it make a difference.Helen Castell reports.
