Berne Union Reports

Berne Union members report data on their export credit and investment business twice annually - at half year and year end. Aggregate statistics are released following our annual Spring Meeting (around May), and AGM (October).

In addition to business trends we publish research and reports on industry developments as these arise.

Business Confidence Index Q1.23

10 March 2023

Demand remains buoyant following strong global trade performance in 2022, but high inflation, ongoing geopolitical risks, and rising pre-claims situations mean underwriters remain cautious through the first quarter of 2023.

Despite the expected economic slowdown, ST business is likely to continue its resiliency as we head into 2023, meanwhile growing demand for large infrastructure projects and green products boosts MLT business at the end of 2022.

Pre-claims situations have been gradually building throughout 2022 for both ST and MLT business and this is expected to materialise in higher claims paid in the first quarter of 2023, particularly if inflation persists and sovereign debt positions deteriorate.  

Business Confidence Index Q4.22

05/12/2022

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...

Business Confidence Index Q3.22

25/08/2022

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 State of the Industry Report

15/08/2022

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...

Business Confidence Index Q2.22

25/05/2022

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...

Business Confidence Index Q1.22

04/03/2022

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...

Business Confidence Index Q4.21

22/11/2021

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...

Business Confidence Index Q3.21

21/09/2021

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...

2020 State of the Industry Report

11/08/2021

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...

Business Confidence Index Q2.21

28/05/2021

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...

Business Confidence Index Q1.21

25/02/2021

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 and its role in supporting global trade

02/02/2021

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...

2019 State of the Industry Report

11/09/2020

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...

Export Credit Insurance Industry Response to COVID-19

21/04/2020

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...

Industry Report 2019 H1

12/12/2019

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...