Business Confidence Index Q1.23

Business Confidence Survey shows heightened geopolitical risk is driving growing demand for export credit insurance but underwriters remain cautious in response to visibly growing levels of insolvency globallyDespite a positive reaction to growing trade, buoyant commodity prices and lower-than-feared insolvencies through the second and third quarte...

Heightened geopolitical risk is driving growing demand for export credit insurance, despite the dampening effects on trade of a decidedly bleak economic outlook. Insurers remain cautious in response to visibly growing levels of insolvency globallyDespite the bleak outlook, overall demand for export credit insurance remains strong, supported by the ...

2021 was the year the world learned to live with covidBroadly speaking, by the end of 2021 we had learned enough, vaccinated enough, and innovated enough to resume most normal activities in some form or other.But if liquidity was the focus of the pandemic years, capital investment must be the focus of the recovery.  The report outlines how MLT...

Underwriters are tightening risk appetite in response to emerging claims, inflationary pressures and geopolitical tensions, while elevated commodity prices and investment in new projects keep demand strong Global trade prospects for the first quarter of 2022 changed radically in late February with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This has...

Growing appetite for climate-related investments and social infrastructure boosts MLT capacity at the beginning of 2022, amid generally positive expectations for trade activity, despite some dampening from inflation, and increasing costs of energy especiallyAs insurers take their initial figurative steps into 2022, the business environment is far f...

2021 looks set to end on a high, with a predicted upsurge in demand for cover matched by continued strong risk appetite among underwriters. A moderate anticipated rise in claims may meanwhile presage a smooth normalisation beyond the low COVID-baselineNotwithstanding some emerging headwinds for trade, growth in demand for ST export credit insurance...

The latest BCI research confirms a steady improvement in both demand and risk appetite during the first half of 2021, while emerging claims have remained low. For the first time this year, paid claims are expected to fall in the coming quarterWith global merchandise trade continuing to grow beyond its pre-pandemic levels and global foreign direct i...

Despite the huge disruption, uncertainty and heightened risk environment inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the export credit insurance industry fared relatively well in 2020 and overall new business increased despite a sharp contraction in economic activity, while defaults and claims have so far remained manageable. However, there are still indic...

Continuing the trend established through the end of 2020: while risk appetite remains high, insurers continue preparing for rising claims in the coming monthsThe export credit and investment insurance industry experienced an overall positive start to 2021 with reports from the first quarter showing rising demand and a subdued level of emerging clai...

First of a new report and index tracking perceived demand, risk appetite and claims in export credit insuranceThe Berne Union Business Confidence Index is based on quarterly survey snapshots of our Members' assessment of their current and imminent business situation.In line with industry norms, we distinguish between short-term and medium to long-t...

Credit insurance provides a bridge between finance, trade and the real economy, acting as a catalyst for cross-border investment and economic growthThis report presents case studies and examples which illustrate the purpose, function and impact of credit insurance in delivering industrial and economic development as well as the role of the Berne Un...

State of the Export Credit Insurance Industry: 2019 YE • Pre-COVID benchmark and stocktake on developments in the first half of 2020• Comprehensive review of Berne Union industry data in 2019• Commitments outstanding across all product lines• Trends in new business by region, sector and provider type•&nb...

Robust response to the COVID-19 pandemic from the export credit insurance industryAll sides of the market have acted swiftly in response to the crisis, introducing measures to combat the negative economic impact of the pandemic by supporting exporters and facilitating access to finance.This preliminary report outlines the significant cumulative ind...

Business trends and statistics from the export credit and investment insurance industry for the first half of 2019Data for the first half of 2019 confirms a challenging trade environment. Insurers reported a declining volume of new commitments alongside a 21% increase in claims paid, citing uncertainty fueled by increasingly negative trade policy a...