Credit Insurance News

Beat to launch a new credit insurance business. Reinsurance News has reported that Beat Capital Partners, a long-duration investor specialising in the insurance industry, has announced plans to launch Convergence, a tech-enabled credit non-payment insurance underwriter. With an initial focus on Europe and North America, the business is expected to underwrite through a Lloyd's consortium, led by Beat Syndicate 4242, with Stephen Pike and Jeremy Hatchuel (see 'New Appointments' – below) as joint founders. Convergence states that its coverage is intended to meet the growing need for portfolio solutions among banks and global financial institutions, specifically targeting the insurance of credit risk portfolios. According to Beat, its insurer's approach will leverage a combination of technology and data analytics powered by an algorithmic modelling platform developed in partnership with University College London. To read the article on Reinsurance News, go to https://www.reinsurancene.ws/beat-to-launch-new-credit-insurance-business-with-stephen-pike-as-ceo/.

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Gallagher announces merger with trade credit insurance broker. Insurance Business has reported that Gallagher has announced a merger with Prasidium Credit Insurance, a Sydney-based specialist trade credit insurance broker. "Prasidium has a strong record of growth and will enhance our trade credit capabilities in Australia," said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Gallagher's CEO, in a media release. Prasidium was founded in Sydney in 2015 and has seventeen staff members. The firm's former website now diverts to Gallagher and says, "Starting from 22 April 2024, we will be operating under the Gallagher brand and entity." To read Insurance Business' article, go to https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/au/news/breaking-news/gallagher-announces-merger-with-trade-credit-insurance-broker-486213.aspx.

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BPL unveils rebrand and new website. The BPL Global brand has announced that it has undergone a small but significant transformation and is now simply BPL. James Esdaile, Chairman of BPL, said: "The transition feels like a natural progression. Most within our market have long referred to us as "BPL" – and given that our business has always been shaped by our clients, it is only fitting that we embrace this identity to represent more closely who we are and where we are headed." To read BPL's news release, go to https://bpl-insurance.com/insight/bpl-unveils-rebrand-and-new-website/.

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A "bumper year" for trade credit insurance, but claims are rising. Global Trade Review (GTR) has reported that a snapshot of full-year 2023 data released by the Berne Union on 25 April showed strong growth last year for short and medium-term trade credit products, but non-payment claims also hit a "historic high" with a record number of claims by policy and guarantee holders. "2023 has been an exceptional year for the export credit industry," Berne Union president Maëlia Dufour commented in a statement. "The business results reported by Berne Union members demonstrate huge growth in volumes with a skyrocketing acceleration in support for energy and climate transition as well as an increasing demand for strategic, untied and domestic products." To read GTR's article, go to https://www.gtreview.com/news/global/bumper-year-for-trade-credit-insurance-but-claims-rising/.

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The crucial role of talent in credit insurance and surety. ICISA has published an article that examines why the trade credit insurance industry is often overlooked as a potential career by talent and can struggle to retain talented individuals. The article suggests that education and engagement are part of the key to addressing recruitment and retention challenges, and collaboration with universities and educational institutions is essential. "By educating individuals about the vital role this industry plays in global trade and finance and showcasing the diverse career opportunities it offers, the focus can be shifted towards our industry." In addition, the article notes the industry should showcase its broader impact on achieving a just transition and facilitating sustainability and resilience in economies. "Today's talent is not only looking for a monthly paycheck but a role with true impact on the world around." To read ICISA's article, go to https://icisa.org/news/road-to-success-the-crucial-role-of-talent-in-credit-insurance-and-surety-business/.

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Acrisure completes the acquisitions of Financial and Credit Insurance Services Ltd and Global Broking Solutions. Insurance Business has reported that Acrisure has announced the completion of two major acquisitions in southern England. Financial and Credit Insurance Services Ltd (FinCred) and Global Broking Solutions (GBS). FinCred, headquartered in Sevenoaks, Kent, specialises in credit insurance brokerage and surety bonds. Hannah Lyon-Wall, who took leadership at FinCred in 2016, commented: “We are incredibly specialist in our field and know that Acrisure’s global presence will have a massively beneficial impact on our future growth trajectory." In addition, Acrisure has acquired Global Broking Solutions, enhancing its client base across Kent and East Sussex. To read Insurance Business' article, go to https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk/news/breaking-news/acrisure-strengthens-uk-presence-with-double-swoop-488098.aspx.

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Allianz Trade launches a new enhanced credit suite in the UK and Ireland. Insurance Business has reported that Allianz Trade has launched a refreshed and enhanced trade credit insurance suite in the UK and Ireland. The enhancements include several improvements, including fully retrospective cover for approved buyer risks and confiscation, expropriation, nationalisation, and destruction (CEND) political risk coverage as standard features – elements not previously part of the core offering. Additionally, the product now comes with enhanced delayed effect cover to address uncertainties related to riskier credit limits. Allianz Trade has also simplified the policy documentation and introduced a quick-access online portal for easier retrieval of policy details and other critical information. To read Insurance Business' article, go to https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk/news/breaking-news/allianz-trade-launches-new-proposition-in-the-uk-and-ireland-484929.aspx.

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Expert panel reveals a rise in protracted default trade credit insurance claims. Marsh has published a trade credit insurance podcast that reflects on the experiences and challenges encountered within the trade credit insurance claims environment in 2023 (for example, Marsh saw claims nearly double in 2023 in percentage terms) and discusses what may follow in 2024. Expectations for this year include a rise in protracted default claims, with insolvency rates likely to remain high but stable and an increase in claims numbers. The podcast is hosted by Jean-Luc Bakole, Client Advisor, Trade Credit, and he is joined by Eddie Feather, Claims Leader at Marsh, Ioan Rees, Claims Leader at Atradius, Doug Scribens, Claims Leader at Coface, and Fahad Pasha, Claims Leader at Allianz Trade. To listen to the podcast, go to https://www.marsh.com/uk/services/trade-credit/insights/the-trade-credit-claims-landscape.html.

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BU members reflect on a prodigious year for new business in 2023 despite an increasingly fractious risk environment. Members at the Berne Union's recent Spring Conference confirmed an unprecedented expansion of new business. BU members provided over USD 3 trillion in new support for cross-border trade in 2023 – an 8% year-on-year increase – with expansion across business lines. Growth in Short-Term (ST) revolving cover continues to drive the overall increase in values with another large year-on-year expansion of business. However, another notable uptick was seen in the ST Revolving business, where claims grew by 22% – outpacing the increase in new business levels. With fourteen members reporting an increase in pre-claims situations for their ST Revolving business, the Berne Union warns that a difficult period ahead for corporate clients could put further stress on this rapidly expanding business line. To read the Berne Union's news release, go to https://www.berneunion.org/Articles/Details/860/BU-members-reflect-on-a-prodigious-year-for-new-business-in-2023-despite-an-incr.

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Atradius reveals significant increases in payment defaults for many cornerstone industries. Although Atradius' report on payment default trends for Q1 2024 reveals a decrease of 18% in the number of claims received from UK businesses compared to the same period in 2023, the report also highlights significant increases in payment defaults within several cornerstone industries. For instance, the energy and fuel sector experienced a 75% increase in payment defaults year-on-year in Q1, while packaging claims surged by 400% year-on-year and 25% quarter-on-quarter – the most substantial spike in instability across all sectors. The food and drinks sector, the largest manufacturing sector in the UK, also witnessed a notable 44% increase in claims. Additionally, metals saw a 55% increase in payment defaults in Q1 2024, with March 2024 recording an 83% increase year-on-year in payment default claims. Click here to read Atradius' news release.

 

Exim launches export credit insurance to "support the underserved business community". The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) has launched a new product, the Equity Express Select (EQS) export credit insurance policy – a tool created to help underserved companies begin or expand their export business. To qualify for EQS, requirements include being a minority, woman, veteran, or disability-owned business or being located in a rural area. Companies must also have fewer than US$10 million in annual export credit sales, less than five years of exporting on credit terms, and have not previously utilised EXIM insurance products. The EQS insurance will cover 95% of the accounts receivable generated by selling to an international buyer on open account credit terms. There are no up-front costs to activate the insurance product to cover export sales, no deductible, and no application fee. Premiums are paid as a company ships its products and invoices its buyers. To read EXIM's news release, go to https://grow.exim.gov/blog/equity_express_insurance_eqs_launched.

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WICI (Women in Credit Insurance) spotlight on Simon Philpin. ICISA has published an interview with Simon Philpin, Head of Trade Credit at Markel. Looking back over his twenty-two years in the industry, Simon's tips for a successful career in the trade credit insurance industry include a strong work ethic, embracing mistakes as learning opportunities, and building strong relationships. Simon suggests that one of the industry's biggest challenges is attracting new talent: "Many people aren't even aware of trade credit insurance as a career option when they're choosing their path after school. It's a fantastic industry; once people join, they tend to stick around." To read the interview, go to https://icisa.org/news/wici-spotlight-on-simon-philpin/.

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Nimbla enters voluntary liquidation. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in London, Nimbla was a digital insurance platform designed to provide instant trade credit insurance protection for small and medium-sized businesses. Customers could insure one invoice, multiple invoices or their whole turnover. In 2020, Barclays announced a partnership with Nimbla, which enabled Barclays' one million SME clients to take out insurance against individual invoices (from as little as £6) rather than the whole book. In late 2021, Nimbla raised £5.1 million in a funding round led by Silicon Valley venture fund Fin VC, with participation from Barclays Bank. Nimbla closed in February 2024 and is now in liquidation. Take a look at Nimbla's LinkedIn page for more details.

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UKEF plans to significantly increase the number of UK SMEs that benefit from its support. UK Export Finance (UKEF) has announced that its 2024-29 Business Plan includes a commitment to helping companies across the UK win over £12.5 billion in new contracts by 2029 and unlock £5 billion of investment into their UK operations. UKEF aims to support 1,000 SMEs a year by 2029. The new plan emphasises the role of greater digitalisation in widening access to finance and insurance – with a fully online insurance service expected in the coming months. The export credit agency also aims to support £10 billion in clean growth financing over the next few years and mobilise a further £10 billion to support businesses in developing markets. For more information, go to https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukef-unveils-plans-to-help-exporters-win-125-billion-in-new-business-by-2029.

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New trade credit insurance products support exports from South Africa to Zimbabwe. Invent Multiple Agents and Actuaries (Invent) has announced the development of a trade credit insurance product for Zimbabwe-bound exports from South Africa, which will be issued by Asset Finance Insurance South Africa (AFI). Invent triggered a reinsurance agreement between AFI and multiple reinsurance players, which was arranged by Fachs Reinsurance Brokers, to protect South African exporters who offer credit to their Zimbabwean counterparts. Discussing the partnership, Invent's Managing Consultant, Tanaka Zingwanda, commented: "We are pleased to have developed a much-needed insurance product which secures trade transactions between the two countries." Click here to read Invent's news release.

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Macroeconomic pressures drove CEE insolvency rates to new heights in 2023. Coface has published a new report analysing company insolvencies in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region. Coface notes that, in the wake of an economic downturn that saw Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia and Lithuania recorded negative growth rates in 2023, CEE countries witnessed a dramatic 38.6% increase in insolvency proceedings from 2022 to 2023. The construction and trade sectors, in particular, bore the brunt of the insolvency wave. Looking ahead, Coface expects a further increase in insolvencies in 2024, albeit at a lower rate than the previous year. To read Coface's news release, with a link to the full report, go to https://www.coface.com/news-economy-and-insights/economic-slowdown-and-rising-number-of-insolvencies-what-s-the-outlook-for-cee-companies.

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Australia: NCI reports a 52% increase in the number of collections lodged in Q1 compared to Q4 2023. Following the news that in March this year insolvencies in Australia reached a 25-year high, NCI has advised that its latest Trade Credit Index for Q1 2024 has reached its highest point since Q2 2020. The Index also indicates that, compared to Q4 2023, there has been a 14% increase in the value of claims lodged, a 52% increase in the number of collections lodged, a 13% increase in the overall Trade Credit Risk Index score and an 11% increase in the number of serious overdues reported. Overall, NCI facilitated claims payments of AU$16 million in claims during the quarter. By far the largest number of claims were from the Building/Construction sector. Notable businesses entering administration in Q1 2024 included: Langdon, Project Coordination, StHilliers and Kimberley Meat Company. To see NCI's latest statistics, go to https://www.nci.com.au/news/trade-credit-risk-index-q1-2024/.

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The UK retail sector presents considerable challenges, yet glimpses of recovery are emerging. Tokio Marine HCC's latest Trade Credit UK Retail Sector Report, featuring insights from Fiona O'Brien, Senior Credit Underwriter – Trade Credit, underscores the profound shifts the sector has undergone in the past decade. The report paints a picture of the industry's current landscape, with insolvency rates surpassing pre-Covid levels and showing an upward trend. As of December 2023, non-food sales had dropped by 3.9%, clothing by 1.5%, and household goods and food stores saw a 3% decline compared to the previous year. However, there are signs of hope. January 2024 saw a notable rebound, with retail sales volumes soaring by 3.4%, marking the largest monthly increase since April 2021 and restoring volumes to November 2023 levels. Sales volumes surged across all subsectors (barring clothing stores), with food stores contributing most to the upturn. To read the report, go to https://www.tmhcc.com/en/news-articles/thought-leadership/trade-credit-uk-retail-sector-report-2024.

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Australian companies have extended payment terms by nearly two weeks. Atradius' latest Payment Practices Barometer for Australia has found that rising interest rates have sharply curtailed business borrowing capacity, prompting an increased use of trade credit. 59% of businesses polled in Australia said they now rely on this while also reporting a 35% increase in trade credit offered to B2B customers. In addition, Australian companies have extended payment terms by nearly two weeks and now average thirty-five days from invoicing. Overall, the credit risk landscape was mixed. Bad debts remained steady, standing at 7% of all B2B invoices, while late payments affected 45% of all B2B invoices, down 4% from the previous year. To read Atradius' news release, with a link to the full report, go to https://group.atradius.com/publications/payment-practices-barometer/b2b-payment-practices-trends-australia-2024.html.

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New Zealand: Insolvencies are increasing, with the construction sector particularly impacted. Insurance Business has reported that, according to Zara Mends, Managing Director at NCI Trade Credit Solutions, New Zealand, there has been a significant rise in overdue payments and collections activity driven by a "manufactured recession" post-pandemic, which created a "false economy, skyrocketed the property market, pushed inflation up to nearly 8% and increased costs across almost every aspect of doing business." Despite hopes for a turnaround, insolvency statistics remain concerning, with a six-year high in company liquidations in New Zealand recorded in March 2024 and a 30% increase in the first quarter. Zara adds, "Our claims activity is higher than pre-pandemic levels, and our collections data indicates this will continue in the short term at least." To read Insurance Business' article, go to https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/nz/news/claims/insolvencies-are-increasing--which-sector-is-most-impacted-487914.aspx.

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Company Watch has launched a new service, Payment Practises Data, to provide businesses with insights into the payment behaviours of the companies they work with. The platform gathers data daily from around 9,155 of the UK's largest companies reporting their payment practices (with this number set to grow), which is presented in "easily digestible" graphs showing the average days to pay and payment, as well as the payment percentage for all published years. Businesses can also view more information from the latest and previous payment reports to see how many days a company has taken to file their payment data and if they have breached the mandatory 30-day requirement reporting obligation. Recent research by Company Watch highlights the detrimental impact of late payments, with approximately 50,000 business closures attributed to this issue, and an estimated two million UK SMEs suffering negative consequences. Moreover, timely payments to small businesses have the potential to bolster the UK economy by £2.5 billion annually. To read Company Watch's news release, go to https://blog.companywatch.net/resources/how-business-payment-data-can-help-you-manage-risk.

Tokio Marine's recent report on the UK's economic conditions reveals significant challenges ahead. Tokio Marine has published a report in which Ray Massey, Underwriting Director – Credit, examines the key factors impacting UK Economic Conditions. He notes that the UK slipped into recessionary territory in late 2023, with GDP growth projected to remain below 1% in 2024. The business failure rate also deteriorated sharply in 2023, with the Insolvency Service recording 25,158 company insolvencies in England and Wales – the third consecutive annual increase (up by 13.7% against 2022) and the highest reading since 1993. The number of creditors' voluntary liquidations was the highest since the data series started in 1960. Liquidation rates also soared last year, with one in 186 active companies entering insolvency liquidation in 2023 – a rate of 53.7 per 10,000 active businesses and the poorest since Q3 2014. To read the report, go to https://www.tmhcc.com/en/news-articles/thought-leadership/trade-credit-uk-economic-conditions-report-2024.

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Allianz Trade announces a partnership with Inclusive Brains. Insurance Business has reported that Allianz Trade has announced a partnership with Inclusive Brains, a French start-up focused on generative AI and brain-computer interfaces (BCI), to create Prometheus—a new brain-machine interface. According to a news release, this technology aims to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities by allowing them to control digital environments and operate devices without using their hands or voice. Aylin Somersan Coqui, CEO of Allianz Trade, noted that Allianz Trade's support will enable Inclusive Brains to advance Prometheus' research and development, acquire physiological sensors, and provide exoskeleton arms to non-profit organisations. To read Insurance Business' article, go to https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/au/news/breaking-news/partnership-to-develop-aipowered-interfaces-for-people-with-disabilities-488265.aspx.

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Marsh McLennan launches AI-powered solution to transform supply chain risk management. Marsh McLennan has launched Sentrisk, an AI-powered platform with integrated advisory services to help businesses manage global supply chain risk. Sentrisk uses advanced technologies such as supply chain mapping AI and geospatial satellite imaging to map businesses' supply chains and develop risk mitigation, transfer, and management strategies. Sentrisk pinpoints low, medium, and high-risk vulnerabilities down to a site, supplier, or component-specific level. It also provides a comprehensive assessment of supply chain risks, alerts of disruptions near critical assets, and access to risk advisory services from Marsh and Oliver Wyman. Current risks modelled include natural hazards, geopolitical, climate-related, and reputational risks, as well as structural risks like single-supplier dependencies and geographic concentration. To read Marsh's news release, go to https://www.marsh.com/au/about/media/marsh-mclennan-launches-ai-powered-solution-to-transform-supply-chain-risk-management.html.

May BUlletin: Charting a course forward. The Berne Union (BU) has published the May edition of its BUlletin. This issue offers fresh insights on embracing and implementing digital strategies, adopting AI tools to enhance efficiency and security, supporting the Ukrainian economy by helping keep trade channels open and mitigating risk for exporters, among other topics. Articles include:

• Digitalisation: The shape of the industry to come, by Arturs Karlsons, Associate Director of BERNE UNION

• Insights on embracing deep and broad digital strategies, by Charles Busch, Business Manager - Political Risk & Credit, VANTAGE RISK

• Poland's new instruments for prioritising export support to Ukraine, by Janusz Wladyczak, CEO of KUKE

• Unresolved questions: Regional trade patterns change in the wake of EU's Russia sanctions, by Lewis Evans, Junior Economic Research Analyst at BERNE UNION

• The right tool for the job: BU celebrates 90 years of supporting trade and investment, by Katharine Morton, Trade, Treasury & Risk, TXF

To read the BUlletin, go to https://www.berneunion.org/Articles/Details/861/May-BUlletin-Charting-a-course-forward.

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Congratulations to . . ..

Aon, on being named named 'Best Political Risk Insurance Broker' at the Global Trade Review (GTR) Leaders in Trade Awards 2024. BPL, Marsh and WTW were also nominated.

Allianz Trade, on being named 'Best Trade Credit Insurance Company Asia Pacific 2024' at the Global Banking & Finance Awards, and on winning Global Trade Review's (GTR) award for 'Best Trade Credit and Political Risk Insurance Underwriter'. 

 

WTW on winning the 'Best trade credit insurance broker' award at the Global Trade Review (GTR) Leaders in Trade Awards 2024. Aon and BPL were also shortlisted.

Marsh Trade Credit US, on receiving the 2024 Top Broker Award from Atradius.

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New Appointments

Aspen Insurance Group has appointed Sam Rahman as an Underwriter – Credit & Political Risk, based in London. Sam joins Aspen from Coface, where he was employed as an Underwriter – Structured Credit & Political Risk.

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BPL has appointed Lizzie Thomas as Director to bolster its broking teams in Europe and the US. Lizzie joins BPL from Marsh, where she was Lenders Solutions Group Leader, UK – Credit Specialties. Lizzie will work primarily out of BPL's London headquarters and in connection with its New York office, and will work with some of BPL's largest financial institution clients across Europe and the US.

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Coface North America has promoted Daniel Alonso Schrader to the position of Senior Business Development Officer. Daniel has worked for Coface in the US for just over three years, most recently as Business Development Officer. Daniel is based in Miami, Florida.

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Convergence, a new credit insurance business, will be led by its Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Pike. Stephen was formerly the Global Head of Credit & Political Risk at Canopius Group. Fellow founder Jeremy Hatchuel was previously Head of Portfolio Solutions at Canopius Group.

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Lockton in Australia has appointed Dan Chapman as Director – Surety, Trade Credit & Political Risk. Dan rejoins Lockton from Aon, where he had worked for more than seven years as ​Director – Credit Solutions. Prior to that, Dan worked for Lockton in Australia as Head of Surety, Trade Credit & Political Risk.

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Gallagher has promoted Michelle Pollock to the position of Account Manager. Michelle is based in the Melbourne area of Australia, and recently moved from the Prasidium Trade Credit Insurance team to Gallagher after its recent acquisition. Michelle worked as a Senior Account Executive at Prasidium Trade Credit Insurance.

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Nexus Underwriting has promoted Jessica Mooney from Risk Underwriter to Senior Underwriter. Jessica has worked for Nexus for a little over three years, and was previously a Risk Underwriter with Euler Hermes (now Allianz Trade).

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PIB Insurance Brokers has appointed Emerson Paul as an Account Executive. Emerson rejoins the credit insurance industry after a short career break. Before this, Emerson spent more than eighteen years with Euler Hermes (now Allianz Trade) in a Commercial Account Management role.

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QBE Europe has announced two new appointments:

• Catalina Romero joined QBE's Risk team in April as a Senior Risk Underwriter. Catalina has over fifteen years of experience in financial services and previously held roles at Coface, Allianz and Barclays Bank. She joins from Coface, where she was a Risk Underwriter.

• Sean McDonald  has joined QBE Europe as Assistant Underwriter in the Trade Credit Team, to be based in Manchester. He joins from RSA where he underwrote Property, Packages and Liability. Sean has previous experience in insolvency work during his time with Clyde and Co and Leonard Curtis.

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Xenia Broking has made two new appointments:

• Rachael Barker-Vaizey has been promoted to Account Broker. Rachael previously worked for First Ram as a Senior Account Handler.

• Andy Bradley has been promoted from Account Handler to Account Manager.