2015 Trade Finance Gaps, Growth, and Jobs Survey

Abstract

Respondents to this survey believe the availability of trade finance has improved globally. However, data indicate that gaps are increasingly pronounced in emerging economies. The geographic concentration of trade finance shortfalls appears to be driven by a combination of banks rationalizing existing business away from high-risk markets and weaker trade in some regions. The survey questions seek more clarity on the unintended consequences with regulatory requirements designed to stop financial crimes, which were again raised as a major impediment to the availability of trade finance. In the 2015 survey, 253 banks from 86 countries responded, an increase from the 101 responses in 2014.