While credit rating agencies have not yet changed their central scenarios for credit default rates, they appear to be growing more nervous in the face of changes in the economic cycle and the resurgence of volatility against a backdrop of greater geopolitical uncertainty.
The building blocks that shape a bank’s risk profile
The limited capacities of the banks have led to the emergence of alternative finance such as trade finance funds, which are typically launched by industry professionals willing to get involved with transactions that are not in the interest of traditional banks. The universe is still in its infancy with only around 15–20 such funds around the world and total assets under management of less than $10 billion.
Banks position themselves as trusted advisors with the capability of facilitating large financing deals on behalf of their clients. While banks are capable of providing financing advice, they often have interests that conflict with the interests of their clients. Banks are in the difficult position of serving their clients while also maximizing their own profits and protecting their own balance sheets.
Mihai Andreoiu, Senior Director at Redbridge, is a big fan of borrowing base structures as a superior form of financing for commodity players. Here are the reasons why he certainly hopes to see more such deals coming to market.
The importance of having an optimal credit profile may seem obvious but also like a daunting task. You may not know when you will need access to credit but having an optimal credit profile at all times allows you to access credit when it is needed, even unexpectedly, according to a Forbes.com article.
Commodity traders have a mutual interest in improving the overall risk perception of their sector and its practices. It is also important to understand what’s driving the banks’ lending decisions, says Mihai Andreoiu, Senior Director at Redbridge.
The Pierre Fabre Group has secured recurring access to market financing while staying true to its identity. In late June, the finance division of the group, which specializes in oncology, dermatology, public health and dermo-cosmetics, completed its inaugural issue of NEU CP (Negotiable EUropean Commercial Paper) securities amounting to €30 million. This was soon supplemented by a second issue that brought the group’s negotiable debt securities program up to its ceiling of €50 million.
As part of our series of articles dedicated to the selected audience of commodity trading firms, Malik Dahmoune, founder of Finelia, explains the challenges of automated monitoring of trade finance operations and the prospects for modernising the business opened up by the digital revolution. To explore the topic further after reading this interview, download our new study by completing the form at the bottom of the page.
AFP 2018 Speaking Session – Slideshow – What is the impact of a company’s ratings on public capital markets, its banks’ internal profitability assessments, and its banking relationships? The answer allows treasury practitionners to more effectively manage bank relationships as well as to understand the key components to consider when allocating business to banks.
Trafigura is one of the world’s leading independent commodity trading and logistics houses. At the heart of the global economy, Laurent Christophe, Head of Corporate Finance of Trafigura, shares with Redbridge the details of how his company is addressing and seizing financial opportunities in the current environment and what he envisions in the future.
The U.S. Private Placement market saw record volumes last year, with investment grade deals continuing to dominate the market. While relatively spread differential and weak covenant packages keep traditional investors out of the non-investment grade market, some investors do have appetite for well-structured deals.
The vast majority of Fortune 100 companies, if not all, utilize the public markets for raising capital funding through alternative sources rather than utilizing only banks for raising needed capital. In the Fortune 101 to 929, the majority utilize banks as their capital funding sources, reveals a in-depth study of the debt structure of Fortune 1000 conducted by Redbridge.
Using the Commercial Paper market to cover the bridge financing of an acquisition can provide buyers with substantial savings. However, the strategy does require a bit of foresight and vigilance on a number of points, as Matthieu Guillot, senior director at Redbridge, explains.
