ExpoFin provides lenders and exporters with enforceable, standardised legal documentation. Backed by real-world recovery expertise, the service fills a critical gap in small-ticket export finance, offering efficiency, cost-effectiveness and risk mitigation in markets often overlooked by traditional banks.

 

Since its establishment in 2009, Recovery Advisers has built a reputation as a trusted partner for export credit agencies (ECAs), handling claims and recoveries in some of the world’s most challenging markets. With a wholly owned international network and hands-on experience in dispute resolution, the company has seen first-hand how poorly structured transactions can hinder debt recovery. This real-world experience has led to the development of ExpoFin, a service tailored to prevent financial losses by ensuring that transactions are structured securely from the outset.

ExpoFin, launched in 2024, bridges a critical gap in the market by offering standardised, enforceable legal documentation for lenders and exporters engaging in small to mid-sized transactions. By combining Recovery Advisers’ local presence and expertise in legal enforcement with cutting-edge IT-driven standardisation, ExpoFin is poised to transform how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and banks approach export finance.

 

A market-driven solution

ExpoFin was first conceptualised in 2020 after Recovery Advisers observed a pattern of preventable mistakes in the claims they handled. Issues such as weak collateral, poorly structured guarantees and unenforceable promissory notes were frequently recurring, often leading to significant losses for creditors.

Ahmed Madkour, managing director at Recovery Advisers, explains: “We saw the same issues appearing repeatedly – problems with collateral, guarantees or documentation that prevented recoveries. It became clear that better structuring at the outset of transactions could prevent these issues.”

Exporters and lenders often lack the local expertise to ensure the enforceability of their contracts across different jurisdictions, and usually rely on lengthy chains of service providers which can be inefficient, slow, and expensive. ExpoFin recognises this gap and provides standardised legal documentation tailored to various legal systems and backed by 16 years’ experience of contract enforcement and dispute resolution.

The timing of ExpoFin’s launch coincides with rising demand from lenders and exporters looking to expand into emerging markets. Changes in global trade routes and shifting regulatory requirements have further highlighted the necessity for a solution that guarantees transaction security from the start.

 

Standing out from the crowd

ExpoFin distinguishes itself from traditional advisory services through its hands-on experience in contract enforcement and recoveries. Far from being an “ivory tower” practice, ExpoFin brings practical knowledge gained from handling thousands of claims across multiple jurisdictions.

“We don’t just theorise about how transactions should work,” says Madkour. “We see what happens when transactions go wrong, and we apply that knowledge to prevent those mistakes from happening in the first place.”

The expertise and diversity of the Recovery Advisers team has been instrumental in shaping ExpoFin’s approach. With a background in export finance, law and IT, the team’s wide and complimentary skillsets provide a unique ability to bridge the gap between legal structuring and technological efficiency. Their experience in dispute resolution and arbitration across multiple jurisdictions has given them a deep understanding of how transactions hold up in real-world enforcement scenarios.

“Having worked on thousands of claims, we’ve seen first-hand how poor structuring leads to unnecessary losses,” Madkour recalls. “ExpoFin was built to change that. We can give lenders and exporters the best possible foundation for secure transactions.”

Another defining factor in ExpoFin’s appeal is its pricing structure and efficiency. The company charges a fixed fee for its services, ensuring cost transparency and predictability. Standardisation enables ExpoFin to provide enforceable transaction documentation within 10 working days. This is more predictable and significantly faster than conventional legal solutions currently offered in the market.

Technology also plays a crucial role. ExpoFin leverages proprietary software to streamline transaction structuring, reducing manual inefficiencies and making it feasible for lenders to finance smaller deals that would otherwise be unworkable due to high legal costs.

Jan von Allwörden, the DACH regional representative at Recovery Advisers, outlines: “We are not targeting the big-ticket deals. ExpoFin is designed for transactions between €500,000 and €10mn, where traditional banks struggle to justify costs. That’s where we add value.”

 

Targeting the trade finance gap

ExpoFin’s core clients include lenders financing transactions below €10mn. While larger deals remain viable for traditional legal services, mid-sized transactions often face barriers due to high legal fees. ExpoFin offers a cost-effective alternative, enabling SMEs to secure financing and expand into new markets.

A persistent issue in global trade is the trade finance gap, which disproportionately affects SMEs. Many financial institutions hesitate to support smaller transactions due to cost and complexity, limiting access to funding. ExpoFin addresses this challenge by providing standardised, jurisdiction-specific documentation that makes smaller transactions more attractive to lenders. By removing legal uncertainties and lowering transaction costs, ExpoFin facilitates greater financial inclusion for smaller businesses.

“There have been many attempts to close the trade finance gap, but they lacked financing,” reflects von Allwörden. “Now, by offering more cost-effective legal solutions to the banks, we are making small-ticket export finance viable at scale because of the fast and efficient documentation processes of ExpoFin.”

 

Mitigating transaction risks

One of the most significant risks in trade finance is fraud, particularly for SMEs that lack the in-house resources for comprehensive due diligence. ExpoFin offers on-the-ground verification services, including checks on buyer credentials, court records and tax filings.

Madkour notes: “SMEs are often under pressure to generate sales and may lower their standards when selecting their customers. We help by verifying the legitimacy of buyers, ensuring they exist and structure the transactions with enforceability and security as primary objectives.”

Beyond fraud, improper documentation can render agreements unenforceable. For example, a promissory note referencing a bill of lading may be valid in one country but considered conditional and void in another. ExpoFin ensures compliance with local laws and regulations, reducing the risk of non-recoverable claims.

“We are the ears and eyes of banks on the ground,” von Allwörden adds.

“By reducing the communication chain, we operate faster and at a lower cost than traditional firms.”

 

Looking ahead

ExpoFin continues expanding its team and network, strengthening its presence in key trade hubs. By enhancing transaction structuring efficiency and affordability, the company is helping to close the trade finance gap and provide SMEs and lenders with the confidence to engage in global trade.

“We want to be the first port of call for lenders and exporters entering new markets – providing clear, practical solutions that ensure transactions are secure from the outset,” says Madkour.

 

Case study: Strengthening transaction security for a German bank

A German bank specialising in export finance needed a faster, more efficient way to structure transactions under €10mn. The traditional process of drafting new legal agreements for each deal was costly and time-consuming, discouraging these smaller transactions. The bank also lacked local expertise in key emerging markets, making it difficult to ensure that loan documentation would be enforceable if a dispute arose.

ExpoFin collaborated with the bank to develop a set of standardised loan documents, supplemented with jurisdiction-specific addendums for critical markets, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt. These agreements were pre-vetted for enforceability, allowing the bank to execute transactions with confidence. Additionally, ExpoFin provided on-the-ground assistance such as due diligence to mitigate the risk of fraud, as well as in gathering the conditions precedent.

“When we introduced our services to the bank, they responded very quickly asking for a meeting,” von Allwörden enthuses. “They saw immediately how our expertise could bridge their international gap and streamline their process.”

ExpoFin implemented an automated contract generation system to further enhance efficiency, minimising manual errors and ensuring regulatory compliance. By integrating technology with legal expertise, the bank was able to streamline its lending process while maintaining robust risk mitigation measures.

Through ExpoFin, the bank has significantly reduced its legal costs and transaction turnaround time, enabling it to complete deals in 10 working days instead of weeks or even months. This allowed it to expand its lending portfolio, support more SMEs, and enter high-growth markets with minimal legal friction. ExpoFin’s structured approach has since enabled the bank to replicate the model in additional jurisdictions, demonstrating the scalability and effectiveness of the solution.

 

To learn more and find out how the service could support your goals, visit ExpoFin’s website: www.expofin.com