Wiserfunding Joins the Annual General Meeting of Berne Union

In this week’s newsletter, we’re excited to highlight the BerneUnion, the world’s largest trade association in the export credit industry and a key pillar of cross-border trade. We’re also pleased to announce that Wiserfunding has been invited to the Berne Union Annual General Meeting 2024, held in Hamburg.

Let’s dive into the key highlights that make this event uniquely significant!

90 Years of Safeguarding Global Trade

The Berne Union was born out of the chaos of the Great Depression. It was established in 1934 by private and state export credit insurers from France, Italy, Spain, and the UK. Their main challenge was to reduce commercial risks and reignite global trade. This was achieved by offering export credit and investment insurance while partnering and exchanging trade information.

As global economies faltered, the Berne Union united governments and insurers. This collaboration helped foster trust and stability in cross-border transactions. Over the years, the Berne Union has maintained a unique position as the leading association in the industry.

Today, it includes 86 member companies from 67 countries, such as government-backed ECAs and private insurers. It serves as a forum for expertise exchange while promoting collaboration with trade finance institutions, including banks, regulatory authorities, and other associations. Its mission is to facilitate cross-border trade through export credits and foreign investment.

General Meeting 2024: Partnering for Progress

The theme of the 2024 Berne Union Annual General Meeting will focus on “collaboration.” This will highlight the importance of partnerships in achieving shared goals within the export credit and trade finance sectors.

Wiserfunding’s co-founders, Professor Edward Altman and Dr. Gabriele Sabato, will join high-level discussions on industry trends, innovations, and case studies. They will explore how both the public and private sectors can enhance cooperation and stability in cross-border trade.

With over 50 years of experience in credit risk assessment, Professor Edward Altman will provide invaluable insights into current market dynamics. He will emphasize the need for closely monitoring credit indicators to navigate shifts in credit cycles. This is crucial to capitalizing on emerging opportunities in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.