IFG 52nd annual meeting took place in St Julies Hotel, Malta on 29 September until 2 October 2014. The leading global conference for factoring, receivables financing and asset-based finance brought together various decision-makers in the factoring, receivables financing and asset-based finance industry. It was an opportunity for industry professionals to discuss, plan and create new business opportunities, network and develop business relationships.

LCI attended the IFG Conference, and was represented by Mr. Karim Nasrallah (General Manager of LCI) and Mr. Michael McPhilimey (Advisor to the Board). Nasrallah and McPhilimey were both panelists on the panel titled: Beyond Credit Insurance; which was moderated by IFG Chairman, Mrs. Margrith Lütschg-Emmenegger. The panel highlighted the following:

Credit Insurance traditionally plays an important role for risk mitigation in the Receivables Finance Industry. Are there new ways for cooperation that can go beyond the traditional “love-hate” relationship between credit insurance and factors?

The panel consisted of an introductory presentation by Andreas Tesch (Chief Market Officer, Atradius, Netherlands) followed by a discussion with Tesch and the panelists. Nasrallah also presented LCI’s idea for a centralized Credit Insurance solution for IFG members.

The conference was a platform for discussing ideas and challenges such as: the future of Receivables Finance, new electronic trade platforms, market updates etc. Breakout sessions also took place during the meeting as a form of moderated discussion of the following topics:

• Alternatives for Funding (securitization, private equity, venture finance…)
• Product Innovation in Receivables Finance: SCF, trade finance, niche markets, customer approaches, operational innovations
• Prevention and Mitigation of Fraud (with case studies)