Our annual 'State of the Industry' report presents an overview of top-level trends in the export credit and investment insurance industry, based upon analysis of BU data.
The publication includes an overview of key trends by business line, covering risk exposure, commitments, claims and recoveries, by region, sector and obligor type.
From time to time we conduct research into the wider economic impact of trade and export credit, and the major trends affecting the industry.
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2025 ushers in more new trade support than ever before
BU members provide record levels of international trade support in 2025. Business levels reach a historic high, with overall volumes driven by the continued expansion of ST Business, increasing private insurer capacity, the expansion of ECA support programmes, and more ac... Download
Export credit and investment insurance delivers positive impact in critical sectors, globallyIn 2024 Berne Union members supported USD 140 bn of long-term capital flows into developing countries. Since 2019 we have recorded USD 52bn in new MLT commitments towards public infrastructure and USD 30.9 bn for renewable energy projects, leading to ...
2024 ushers in more new trade support than ever beforeAs ST business continues to expand, a second consecutive huge period for new MLT business (this time boosted by cruise ships) has sailed total trade support to historic levels. Private insurers are seeing continued expansion of their MLT business and ECAs are increasing their deployed capa...
2023 Marked a Year of Transformation for the IndustryBuilding on the recovery seen in 2022, 2023 ushered in a surge in new business with a critical shift towards new markets, long-term solutions, and new products.With supply chains maturing following the pandemic, clients are increasingly seeking new types of support. Project financings flour...
2022 marked a period of adjustment and adaptation Following subdued activity in the wake of the pandemic, 2022 was a period of strong recovery across all business lines with USD 2.9tn in new trade and investment support.Over the past several years, the world has experienced a series of huge economic trade shocks, starting with the pandemi...
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...
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...
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...