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IFRS 9: How will the approach to credit risk change?

October 3, 2019 , No comments

Risks associated with trade credit have taken on a different angle, with the introduction of new standards under IFRS 9.

Various geopolitical, economic and financial risks have prompted international bodies to approach risk appetite and mitigation in a different way. A recent introduction by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) pertaining to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS 9), will change the way companies and credit insurers manage credit risk, and how they provision for it.

The key addition is the Expected Credit Loss (ECL) principle, added to ensure that companies and credit insurers integrate vital processes to comply with the ‘expected credit loss impairment principles’.

The key points in IFRS 9

Financial and non-financial organizations take note

  • A multitude of businesses will be impacted, with regards to the compilation of credit information. Companies will need to enhance credit information systems and procedures to collect data, as part of IFRS 9.
  • Companies will be required to provision for potential losses based on information and forecasted data. The loss ratios pertain to receivables that are not yet deemed overdue.
  • Under IFRS 9, additional requirements have been added, to include in the periodical financial statements.
  • Credit management systems within companies, as well as accounting policies will need to be changed to adapt to the new standards.

Credit risk management will be approached in a different way, in order to safeguard the health of the financial industry. However, a key criticism to IFRS 9 remains the various interpretations of the principles, as stipulated under the standards.

How can credit insurance help?

Credit insurance can help companies waive the impact of provisions under IFRS9 for their receivables.

To learn more how LCI can ensure your company’s trade receivables, support you in shifting to new standards and preparing your company to integrate IFRS 9 standards, do get in touch with our team on: info@lci.com.lb or visit our website: www.lci.com.lb

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How SMEs can scale up their businesses

August 29, 2019 , No comments
6 tips to help companies scale up and grow

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) can work on various levels to scale up their businesses, both domestically and in international markets. As SME experts, LCI’s team gathers daily insights, from monitoring over 16,000 companies, and continually identifies key areas of focus, to aid businesses to scale up.

Here are 6 tips to help companies to scale up:

Adopt the digital trends

Every company needs a strong online presence, being the first place customers research a product or service. Developing a user-friendly and attractive website helps to position your company in a positive light. Websites and social media channels can be effectively used to update clients on the latest developments and widen your audience globally through targeting. To effectively use digital mediums, ensure they are up to date and position your brand in a unified manner.

Focus on your strengths

Identify your unique selling proposition and capitalize on it. What strengths does your company have, that others do not? Focus on that in your communication efforts, both online and offline.

Costumer service translates into loyalty

Ensure your customers are well taken care of, from when they are deciding which product or service to purchase, until after transactions are made. By creating a two-way flow of communication, along with add-on services, customers will feel closer to the company and likely repeat purchases.

Identify new opportunities and markets

Whilst expanding into new markets is integral for companies to scale up faster, it comes with many challenges. Before venturing into new markets, research local competition, risks and the market appetite for your product or service. Is there strong demand for what you are offering? Are there cultural norms that you need to adapt to? Know the market well before expanding.

Standardize your processes

When scaling up a business, systems and processes that are standardized will ensure a more seamless experience internally. From financial elements, credit management, to paperwork, systems and delivery processes – develop a system that is followed across all markets, to create a unified experience.

Manage trade receivables and cashflows

Whether selling domestically or internationally, managing your trade receivables and cashflows are integral to scale up. Provisioning for upcoming expenses, whether investments in human resources, marketing or business development, if you have a clear forecast of your receivables, it can ensure a healthier cashflow.

Learn more about how LCI can help you expand to new markets and increase your exports here.

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Strengthening partnerships in Egypt

April 2, 2019 , No comments
LCI’s General Manager discusses innovation in trade receivables management

LCI took part in the official conference hosted by GIG Egypt and the Ministry of Trade and Industry in March, 2019. The aim of the conference is to strengthen investment and collaboration opportunities between Egypt and Syria. LCI’s General Manager, Karim Nasrallah, shed light on the innovation in trade receivables management, to drive trade globally.

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Digitization will impact the trade industry

March 11, 2019 , No comments

Every day, fleets of huge ships dock in ports over the world and every hour, a plane carrying cargo lands, in one country or another. With every docking and landing, a stack of paperwork will need to be processed. Whilst this practice has been the standard process adopted by governments and countries for decades, the cost of processing trade documents still remains high.

Based on figures released by the World Economic Forum, the cost of processing the paperwork for shipped goods, can reach as much as one fifth of the cost of shipping the actual goods. Many institutions, including banks and technology companies, are trying to streamline this process, as the benefits are numerous. Experts indicate that simplifying the administrative procedures can actually lead to notable growth in international trade.

Apps, technological innovation & block chain solutions are simplifying procedures of shipping goods.

In comes digitization, which is already underway in the trade sector. Apps, projects, technological innovation and even block chain solutions are simplifying the once complex administrative procedures of shipping goods. Electronic-based documentation lowers costs, simplifies workflow, and takes up less time in terms of analysis and storing. Depending on the electronic documents along with the use of standardized ID numbers for transactions, traders can benefit from a smoother process, expand to new markets and deal with new clients, with less requirements when it comes to due diligence, collecting and tracking credit, performance and commercial dispute data.

The advantages of digitizing the trade sector are clear, but will governments and private institutions move fast enough?

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LCI launches TAJER supporting SMEs, the main drivers of the MENA region’s economy

October 18, 2018 No comments

TAJER: The simplified trade credit insurance policy helps support SMEs in their growth and expansion strategies

The Lebanese Credit Insurer (LCI) has launched TAJER, an innovative, simple and efficient credit insurance policy for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) operating across the MENA region, providing cover for their trade receivables. Utilizing LCI’s expansive market intelligence, including the active monitoring of 16,000 companies focusing on their payment behaviors, TAJER will aid SMEs in growing their businesses and ensuring they get paid for the goods and services they supply. 

“SMEs make up a major part of the MENA region’s economy, and in Lebanon, they comprise an estimated 80% of companies. Yet, only a small percentage of them are covered against the risks of non-payment,” said Karim Nasrallah, General Manager of LCI. “As such, we want to support them in their expansion into new markets and in growing their client portfolios. TAJER gives SMEs the confidence to look at new opportunities in their local markets and abroad, and focus on their growth,” he added.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has undergone a series of transformations in recent years, impacting the way businesses operate. LCI’s Risk Department market analysis shows that the risk of payment defaults is increasing, impacting the trade receivables of companies across the region. The highest risks in the market are impacting SMEs, rather than by bigger corporations, especially as they expand their market coverage and export to the different parts of the world – a move needed to optimize revenues and generate profits.

SMEs in Lebanon, as well as in most markets globally, employ the majority of the workforce, and play a major role in creating job opportunities. They are the institutions that fuel the economy. Lebanon is known to have one of the biggest densities of established business owners, not only in the MENA region, but even globally, based on official figures.

Seeing that there is a scarcity of available information (financial and other), the only way for credit insurers to underwrite risk is to conduct research via on-ground visits to companies, to understand, based on their sector experience, what is the potential opportunity and credit worthiness of each entity. Monitoring is also segmented by sector, trade size, company size and country location.

With TAJER, the straightforward and flexible insurance policy covering a company’s biggest asset, its trade receivables, many benefits will be offered which include:

  • Increase sales, by extending credit limits to existing clients and reconciling between the sales and risk departments
  • Manage risks, by accessing a large database of information and intelligence on thousands of companies
  • Be more competitive, by extending payment terms for new and existing clients
  • Protects against bad debt, by securing cash flow and optimizing financial planning
  • Achieve better borrowing from banks, turning trade receivables into good quality collaterals, allowing companies to negotiate better borrowing terms

 

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[Blog] How is the ongoing trade war impacting the MENA region?

August 6, 2018 No comments

The trade war between the US and China has been making global headlines in recent months. The headlines then turned into action, with the US implementing a 25% tariff on Chinese exports, worth billions of US Dollars. China responded with a similar approach – and the trade imbalance between the two countries became even more evident.

The world’s two largest economies found themselves in a trade war, which many economists say, will negatively impact the GDP of both countries and will slow trade growth in the long-term.

However, as the world watches on as the two nations battle it out publicly, some experts are analyzing the potential impact of the trade war, on the Middle East. When it comes to the MENA region, whilst the trade war seems like a distant battle, repercussions are already surfacing.

Countries in the MENA region may be forced to take sides, fueling the trade war further. In addition, as the US and China advance further into their battle, they may adopt a protectionist approach, to safeguard their country’s industries. This will lead to a decreased demand for goods from Middle Eastern markets, such as the oil exports from the region into China.

The full extend of the trade war between the US and China is yet to be seen and felt. Let’s hope that an amicable solution is found, before the trade industry is disrupted completely.

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LCI and SACE sign cooperation agreement

June 12, 2018 No comments

LCI and SACE have signed a cooperation agreement, to enhance trade opportunities between Lebanon and Italy by supporting SMEs. The expertise and know-how of both entities will be extended to SMEs, along with training programs and technical assistance offered to financial institutions and commercial banks, as result of this agreement.

SMEs make up the majority of business institutions in both Italy and Lebanon, employing a large proportion of the national workforce. Thus, supporting their growth and enhancing trade opportunities, through trade credit insurance and the sharing of expertise, contributes towards a more prosperous economy.

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LCI appoints Dominique Charpentier as its new Chairman

June 28, 2017

The Lebanese Credit Insurer (LCI), has appointed Dominque Charpentier as its new Chairman at its Annual General Meeting held in May, 2017.

Charpentier led a seasoned career with extensive experience in the realms of finance and credit insurance, having held senior financial positions in corporations, namely CFO of SCOA and PINAULT Groups and then moving on to become Deputy CEO of Société Marseillaise de Crédit. In 1995, Charpentier ventured into the Credit Insurance industry, within the Euler Group where he was successively Deputy CEO of Cobac Benelux, CEO of Société Française de Factoring and CEO of Eurofactor. In 2002, he moved to Atradius Group, assuming the role of Managing Director of several divisions of the Group: Atradius Factoring, Atradius Bonding, Atradius Instalment Credit Protection and Atradius Credit Insurance Italy.

He then joined the Management Board of Atradius as Chief Insurance Operations Officer in 2013.

Throughout his career, he held numerous Board member positions in professional organizations across Europe, of which: In France, as Director of Association des Sociétés Financières (ASF); in Belgium as Director of Beroep Vereniging van het Krediet (BVK), and on an international level as Director and Chairman of International Factors Group (IFG).

In January 2017, Charpentier retired, and now serves as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Graydon Holding NV in the Netherlands and has been newly appointed as the Chairman of LCI.

Charpentier graduated from Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris.

In his capacity as Chairman of LCI, Charpentier will bring his wide experience to support the company in implementing its growth strategy and in its development and expansion. Charpentier succeeds Gerard van Brakel who has been chairing LCI since it was founded in 2001.

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