ICC Banking Commission Global Survey highlights impact of trade finance gap on SMEs

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are among the hardest-hit by the trade finance gap, reports the Global Survey on trade finance, released today by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Banking Commission. The Survey received 482 responses from 112 countries around the world and showed that SMEs account for nearly 53% of all rejected trade finance transactions. By contrast, 79% of the trade finance transactions for larger corporates are accepted.

Certainly, the trade finance gap is highlighted throughout the Survey – citing compliance as a chief barrier to trade finance. Nearly 46% of the banks surveyed terminated correspondent relationships due to the cost or complexity of compliance, while 70% of respondents reported declining transactions due to AML/KYC requirements. Furthermore, the percentage of respondents citing anti-financial crimes compliance requirements as a significant impediment to trade finance has increased from 69% last year, to 80% in this year’s Survey. This trend is expected to continue, as nearly all (93%) of respondents expect compliance requirements to increase during 2015.

“The Global Survey works as a snapshot of market trends – allowing us to compare progress from previous years and gauge global expectations,” said Vincent O’Brien, Chair of the ICC Banking Commission Market Intelligence. “This year that snapshot has highlighted the severity of the trade finance gap – which continues to be impacted by regulation, despite the low-risk nature of trade finance – and particularly its impact on SMEs. This is crucial given SMEs constitute over 95% of all firms and account for approximately 60% of employment worldwide.”

That said, the results from the Survey also show some positive trends in trade finance. Around 63% of respondents reported an increase in overall trade finance activity, with 61% of banks stating they have increased their capacity to meet trade finance. What’s more, 25% of respondents to the Global Survey on trade finance consider trade instruments supporting trade as involving more than 75% less inherent risk than conventional lending.

The Global Survey works as a snapshot of market trends – allowing us to compare progress from previous years and gauge global expectations.

The results from the Global Survey also reflected positively on export finance, with 79% of respondents in the industry claiming it remains a profitable business. The industry also observed a significant decrease in pricing, and even more so, fees in 2014.

“While the trade finance industry is certainly facing challenges, and the trade finance gap is a clear issue, the results from the Global Survey on trade finance show that it is not all doom and gloom,” added O’Brien. “The financial landscape is recognizing the importance of trade and, in addition to banks stating they have increased capacity to meet trade finance, we have an array of alternative lenders – such as specialist financiers, export credit agencies, and multilateral development banks – stepping up to fill the trade finance gap.”

Daniel Schmand, Chair, ICC Banking Commission said: “New players can prove their worth by addressing the shortfall of trade finance; new or alternative financiers may support trade in areas where banks are restricted by risk appetites, regulatory burdens or stakeholder concerns.”

For more information

Download the ICC Global Trade and Finance Survey 2015.

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