GTR Magazine - November/December 2011
Circling the abyss
Amid the chaos engulfing the rest of the financial world, the trade finance market may have just been thrown a life ring, writes Rebecca Spong.
Wrapped up in regulation
Navigating through the new regulatory environment was the main talking point of the annual IFA conference held in Vienna this year. Rebecca Spong reports.
Reinsurers reveal healthy appetite
Capacity in the reinsurancee market is growing as primary insurers enter the annual treaty renewals season, writes Kevin Godier.
BPO aims for wider market acceptance
Financial message provider Swift and the Banking Commission of the International Chamber of Commerce signed a cooperation agreement at this year’s Sibos, with the intention of encouraging industry-wide adoption of the Bank Payment Obligation. Rebecca Spong reports.
Financing Europe’s engine
Germany is bearing the weight of Europe on its shoulders. Michael Turner reports on how its export finance bankers are fairing in these tumultuous times.
Nordic ECAs step up to the challenge
With banks not yet back at their full funding capacity, Nordic ECAs are developing new schemes to meet the growing demand for guaranteed financing with particular focus on the SME sector. Laura Benitez reports.
Rising out of the ashes: Greece
Greek tobacco continues to attract international bank financing, despite the negative headlines surrounding the deteriorating Greek economy, writes Rebecca Spong.
The big leap to the top: Turkey
Turkish banks are being forced to look for other forms of funding to help the country’s difficult shift to investment grade. Michael Turner reports on where the biggest challenges lie.
Lebanese banks escape a double whammy
Lebanon’s trade has been harmed by domestic political upheaval and the turmoil affecting countries in the Middle East and North Africa. But strong Lebanese banks are still reporting growth. After all, they know their way around a crisis. Nick Lord reports.
Funding Ghana’s crude oil
Funding for Ghanaian crude oil seemed to have cleared the starting blocks but now something is stalling the potentially lucrative industry. Sarah Rundell reports.
Kenya takes the lead: Islamic finance
With the growth in Kenya’s Islamic finance market picking up pace, it’s only a matter of time before the trade finance market starts to realise the opportunities. Shannon Manders reports.
IT starts here: Taiwan
Taiwan is an important step in IT supply chains for companies around the world, but the country’s oversaturated banking industry will continue to pose challenges. Cybil Huichen Chou reports.
The future of export finance
GTR gathered together leading export financiers to debate the outlook for their industry in Asia in light of the gloomy economic picture of late. Will export finance business grind to a halt?
Finding the sweet spot: Mexico
Should the trade finance market be bullish about Mexico? Eleanor Wragg reports.
Salary survey: Attracting new talent
GTR and Global Trade Search’s (GTS) second annual salary survey has revealed that the profile of trade finance within institutions has grown. The big challenge is encouraging more talent to the industry, writes Rebecca Spong.
Facing new risks: Insurance
GTR assembled a group of leading brokers and insurers in London to discuss the most topical trends and market issues in political risk insurance.
