2021 ICC Trade Register report: Global risks in trade finance

What is the ICC Trade Register?

The ICC Trade Register is an unparalleled resource that measures global risk in trade and export finance. The ICC Trade Register is facilitated by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the world’s leading banks.

The ICC Trade Register provides:

• An objective and transparent overview of the credit risk profile, as well as characteristics of trade, supply chain and export finance to inform policy and regulatory decisions.
• Access to high-quality and up-to-date data on trade, supply chain and export finance, which can be incorporated into annual credit risk factor reviews and  trade finance model calibrations.
• A common understanding of the international regulations affecting bank capital requirements for trade and export finance.

Highlights

The 2021 ICC Trade Register also includes a new interactive dashboard that allows you to tailor your research and compare products over time. Users can also filter by region to research specific trends mentioned in the 2021 ICC Trade Register.

“The ICC Trade Register has been key to developing regulators’ understanding of Trade Finance. Now, it is also a key contributor to the institutional investors’ education on this attractive asset class.”

Mencia Bobo, Global Head of Trade & Working Capital Solutions, Santander Corporate & Investment Banking, Santander

Project scope

The ICC Trade Register aligns its analytical methods to the Basel Approach and includes short-term traditional trade and supply chain finance products as well as medium to long-term export credit agency (ECA) backed export finance loans. Short-term products are instruments with a typical maturity of less than one year and with a clear link to a specific underlying trade transaction.

The 2021 ICC Trade Register includes analysis on trade finance asset classes over the last 10 years. The data – which has been compiled from data provided by the 21 contributing banks and financial institutions – represents up to 30% of all global trade finance transactions.

The ICC Trade Register focuses on credit-related risk across trade, supply and export finance products, including:

• Import and export letters of credit
• Loans for import/export
• Performance guarantees and standby letters of credit
• Restricted to “payables”, part of supply chain products and solutions
• Export Loans backed by export credit agencies and multilaterals for commercial and/or political risk

What is new in 2021 ?

The 2021 edition of the ICC Trade Register includes a thorough market analysis based on 2019, 2020 and early 2021 data from ICC Trade Register members.

In the public report, using the latest trends in default rates, ICC will examine the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the expected short- and medium-term outcomes, including a dedicated focus on the rise of digital trade.

Regional distribution

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Become a member

The ICC Trade Register project was established in 2011 with 7 banks. Since then, membership has grown to 21 banks across Europe, Africa, North America, Asia and Australia. ICC Trade Register members are ‘owners’ of the project and have a prominent role in steering the strategic direction.

ICC Trade Register membership is open to any bank that has a demonstrable capability to collect and deliver data. Members of the Trade Register are not subject to the report fees, only to the maintenance fee. Membership is currently only available for regulated banks. Contact ICCTraderegister@iccwbo.org for more information.

• Number of members today: 21 banks
• The information on trade finance products, gathered from member banks, includes approximately 35% of global traditional trade finance flows, excluding loans for import/export.

Purchasing and Membership Options

Member benefits

✓ Access to exclusive content

✓ Preferred membership fees

✓ Regulatory updates from around the world

✓ Policy and advocacy dialogue

✓ Gain access to members-only meetings

✓ Unique partnership opportunities

✓ Personalised benchmarking with peers

✓ Participation to Trade Register members meetings with drafting group and peers

For more information on how to become a member and membership fees

Purchase Prices

Partnerships

The ICC Trade Register’s high standard is enabled by a strategic partnership forged between the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) with the support of Global Credit Data (GCD).

“This year’s ICC Trade Register provides substantial reassurance of the low-risk nature of trade as an asset class, while also demonstrating the immense value of a rich, data-driven and authoritative source at unprecedented times of uncertainty.”

Andrew Wilson, Global Policy Director, ICC