credit insurance

Recently, the Financial Dagblad headlined that traditional banks are regaining market share in SME lending. A development that at first sight may seem surprising after years of steady rise of alternative financiers. The figures, including from the Stichting MKB Financiering, confirm this picture: especially in the segment of loans up to one million euros, the banks' share has grown again.

Orbis Risk Partners navigates the world of maritime transport as a specialist insurance broker and risk advisor. Together with its clients, Orbis Risk Partners analyses risks to determine a strategy and manage it effectively. Frederik de Preter, Managing Director, co-founder of Orbis Risk Partners: "Our clients include owners of cargo, ships, barges and transport containers. They operate in a challenging market and have mobile assets. In short, we support them in terms of risk management. So they can focus on their deals and local trade in a constantly changing market."   

After months of hard work, it is finally time to take a breather. For many entrepreneurs, the summer period means a time of rest and recovery. Yet it is not always easy to let go of work completely. And with good reason: it is precisely during these months that the financial risks for companies often increase significantly.

From 1 January 2025, new regulations will come into force in Belgium that will directly affect companies with credit insurance. Whereas until now it was possible to reclaim VAT after a customer's insolvency, this will soon come to an end. This change will impact both Belgian companies and Dutch principal insured companies with Belgian branches under a group policy.

The world is currently in turbulent times. Conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine continue, while in the United States a president is in power who is restructuring international trade based on his own vision of economic justice. The result is a global economy under pressure, in which uncertainty seems to be the rule rather than the exception. This instability has a direct impact on business, especially on the liquidity position of companies.

For any entrepreneur, control over financial management is not a luxury, but an absolute necessity. You deliver products or services with confidence in the agreements you make, but what happens when a customer does not fulfil his payment obligations? Or when that same customer unexpectedly goes bankrupt? In such situations, credit insurance provides an effective safety net, not only protecting your company from direct financial loss, but also structurally better prepared for unforeseen circumstances.

International trade brings opportunities, but also challenges. One of the big risks you face is currency risk. Fluctuations in exchange rates can significantly affect your profit margins. In addition, external factors such as political events, economic instability or legal measures in your trading partner's country can delay or even block payment of invoices. 

Sometimes an insurer approves a credit limit application only in part. However, many companies want the full credit limit covered. Especially for those companies, the Top Up policy has been introduced.

International Advisors (IA Group) is a partner of Xolv in the field of collection of large foreign receivables. IA Group tackles cases through personal contact and adequate follow-up.

Doing business in Africa presents opportunities, but also challenges. Especially in countries with economic or political instability, collecting payments can be a risky undertaking. Fortunately, there is a tool that can help with this: the Letter of Credit (L/C). Especially if you cannot get a credit limit on your buyer, this can be a good tool to still continue doing business. A Letter of Credit is a document in which a bank guarantees on behalf of your buyer that you will be paid once you have met the agreed conditions. It is a form of financial security that significantly reduces the risk of non-payment.