Want to take part? The International Factors Group is the trade association that fully represents and promotes the interests of the factoring, invoice financing and asset based lending industry on a global basis.
The Receivables Finance Industry RECEIVABLES FINANCE SOLUTIONS (FACTORING, INVOICE FINANCE, ASSET BASED LENDING) PROVIDE WORKING CAPITAL TO COMPANIES. THE INDUSTRY HAS SEEN EXPONENTIAL GROWTH OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS, AT RATES FOUR TIMES FASTER THAN THE WORLD ECONOMY. With over 309 billion financed to SMEs, the industry is financing the heart of the economy to support economic growth, export and employment. There are many benefits to commercial finance essential cash flow where traditional bank credit is difficult to come by and significant flexibility to the business whilst remaining a low risk for the financier, often with very low LGD (Loss Given Default) rates. But there are also significant challenges to the industry which IFG is working to address. IFG is the global trade association for the commercial finance industry. Since 1963 we have been bringing together like-minded organisations to network, educate and influence, with a common goal of building the reach and impact of our industry in the support of economies, growth and employment. This is our journey. We invite you to join us... 2
CHALLENGES FOR OUR INDUSTRY: Harmonising laws and regulatory environments Harmonising terminology Bringing best practices to emerging markets Training staff in the specific skills of Receivables Finance (Factoring, Invoice Discounting, Asset Based Lending, Supply Chain Finance ) Informing and influencing stakeholders about the importance of the industry Working together for improving the industry s environment and for co-operation between industry players across the globe IMPORTANCE OF FACTORING FOR SME S: SME s tend not to have many assets or track record, making it difficult to acquire funds from traditional sources But SME s may have trade debtors and can realise more funding from these than from traditional sources Factoring is easy to set up and cost effective Factoring is flexible, adapts to the business as it grows KEY FIGURES OF THE RECEIVABLES FINANCE INDUSTRY: 1980: +/- 50 billion 1990: +/- 200 billion 2000: +/- 600 billion 2012: +/- 2,120 billion 4x faster 2,700 The industry has grown 4 times faster than the world economy over the last 30 years Approximately 2,700 factoring companies worldwide Financed amount at year end: 300+ billion Factoring Clients: 500,000 Estimated Factoring Debtors: 13,500,000 Employees in the Industry: 50,000 44% 49% Bank Divisions Bank Subsidiaries 7% Non Bank Financial Institutions
Take part... Be part of the now and the future of the Receivables Finance Industry. 4
IFG, THE INTERNATIONAL FACTORS GROUP IS THE TRADE ASSOCIATION THAT FULLY REPRESENTS AND PROMOTES THE INTERESTS OF THE FACTORING, INVOICE FINANCE AND ASSET BASED LENDING INDUSTRY ON A GLOBAL BASIS. Since 1963 we have been bringing together like-minded organisations to network, educate and influence, with a common goal of building the reach and impact of our industry in the support of economies, growth and employment. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium with a membership across 60 countries, we are proud to globally represent active industry providers, start-ups and sponsors from associated industries. We are built on a network of Regional Chapters (Central and Eastern Europe, Asia, MENA and Latin America). Our global network facilitates trade, provides education, knowledge share and best practice nationally, regionally and internationally. We also work closely with National Associations to build and develop the reputation and impact of our industry. Global. Local. As well as our global approach, we also operate through our regional representative chapters. Open. Collaborative. We also welcome involvement from associated industries, with for example many of our members drawn from the legal and IT suppliers to the industry. Business Opportunities We are here to build business opportunity through our three core approaches of Connect, Educate, Influence. Professional Development Our education will give your staff core capability, that critical edge. We work together to build your business and its reputation. OPEN. INCLUSIVE. GLOBAL. LOCAL. WELCOME TO IFG. Take part. Join us and other like-minded organisations to network, educate and influence. www.ifgroup.com/join
Cross-border business solutions The Two-Factor system ONE OF THE MAIN ADVANTAGES OF BEING AN IFG MEMBER IS THE ACCESS TO A RANGE OF CROSS-BORDER BUSINESS SOLUTIONS. Whether your company is a traditional Factor, or more an asset based lender, specialized in invoice discounting or offering trade finance solutions, you need professional support to conduct your international business safely and efficiently. In 1963 IFG invented the Two-Factor system. How the Two-Factor system works: Export Factor IF exchange: Electronic exchange between factors Credit protection & collection by Import Factor Import Factor Acting as an Export Factor, your company has access to the Import Factoring services of the strongest players in the industry in over 60 countries, offering you (and your export clients): Factoring agreement: Prepayment of invoices/ credit management Invoice collection & debtor credit approvals Up to 100% protection against credit risks. Supplier Delivery of goods & services Debtor Local collection services through member companies based in the same country as the debtors: differences in language, time zones and legal environment are no longer an issue. As an Import Factor, your company offers its services to a network of the best factoring companies in the world. If your company can offer factoring services to domestic clients, it can very easily offer the same services to its correspondents of IFG worldwide. One IFG member acts as the Export Factor dealing with financing, credit management, sales ledger accounting, or a combination of these services in the supplier s country. A second member, the Import Factor, handles credit cover and collection in the buyer s territory. Take part. Join us and other like-minded organisations to network, educate and influence. www. ifgroup.com/join 6
The Advantages of Co-operation The established business relationship between Export and Import Factors, based on GRIF (General Rules of International Factoring), enables them to work effectively together in offering a complete service to the seller: Two-Factor system Risk protection, speed and simplicity since 1963. Invoice Collection The collection of payments (and where necessary, legal action) is undertaken by the Import Factor. Being present in the country of the importer, speaking the same language and understanding the local customs and habits puts the Import Factor in the best position to provide a professional and effective service. Debtor Credit Rating This is handled by the Import Factor s local financial experts, on the basis of actual up-to-date information obtained locally. Fast Communications To ensure optimal efficiency in the Two-Factor System, all information flows between Export Factor and Import Factor are clearly defined and handled by rapid electronic exchange.
We connect service providers with members and align with like-minded organisations to facilitate broader industry reach. Being part of IFG... enables your company to connect with the IFG network 8
Being part of IFG to... CONNECT IFG S CROSS BORDER BUSINESS SOLUTIONS ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE TWO-FACTOR PLATFORM WHICH MAY BE LESS SUITABLE FOR CROSS-BORDER INVOICE DISCOUNTING OR ABL DEALS. Perhaps your company prefers to offer direct export solutions to its clients, requiring access to third party solution providers such as credit insurance or collection agencies. In IFG business solutions center you will find solutions which are adapted to most of your company s needs when developing international activities. Here IFG connects its members with solution providers who are specialized in various services to support activities in Factoring, Invoice Discounting, Asset Based Lending and Supply Chain Finance, such as: International Collection Services Balance Verification Services International Due Diligence Consultancy Services IT System Providers Legal Advice Risk Management Funding Credit Insurance Multi-jurisdictional ABL Connecting your company through the IFG network offers you: More opportunities for international business, both in export and in import. Immediate and personalized access to a network of Invoice Finance professionals all over the world to advise you, help you, do business with you. RMP Capital has seen tremendous benefits from joining the IFG which have strengthened our business, expanded our reach, and increased our knowledge in the industry in the USA and worldwide. Its Two-Factor System is complemented by its vast network of distinguished members spanning the globe, its outstanding networking opportunities, information-packed conferences, and unique collaboration opportunities including best practice sharing and education initiatives. Matthew Davis Director of Credit and Underwriting RMP Capital Corp. Take part. Join us and other like-minded organisations to network, educate and influence. www.ifgroup.com/join
Being part of IFG for... EDUCATION DESIGNED AND DELIVERED BY INDUSTRY EXPERTS, IFG S EDUCATION IS OPEN TO BOTH MEMBERS (AT PREFERENTIAL RATES) AND NON MEMBERS TOO. IFG s education programmes provide training at all levels to enable the industry to facilitate flexible finance to SME s worldwide. Our unique flagship Academy programme is university certified and provides access to best-in-class education in the world of Receivables Finance at a minimal cost. Certificate of Finance in International Trade (COFIT) International Cross-Border business is the cornerstone of the global economy; it s the vehicle for the creation of wealth and the development of economies. And it s never been more important to have expertise in the strategies, tools and techniques that facilitate and underpin this trade. e-learning on Foundations of Factoring and Invoice Finance The IFG e-foundation programme offers all new and recently started staff in Factoring and Invoice Finance a comprehensive online introduction to the industry, regardless of their role or position. This e-learning is available in English, Spanish, Russian, French and Chinese. e-learning Course on Two-Factor Activities A comprehensive understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of IFG s Two-Factor platform. IFG Academy Week Conceived as part of the Certificate of Finance & International Trade (COFIT), the student will receive excellence in Receivables Finance education. Leadership Business Game A unique leadership business game where participants will work as part of a team in a factoring industry business simulation exercise. Take part. Join us and other like-minded organisations to network, educate and influence. www. ifgroup.com/join 10
We inform, educate and support the industry in order to set standards and best practice. For more information please see: www.ifgroup.com/education Being part of IFG... gives you access to best-inclass education in the world of International Factoring & Receivables Finance
We lobby on behalf of the industry we promote and defend the industry working closely with regulators and governments worldwide. Being part of IFG... enables you to have a voice in lobby activities for our industry 12
Being part of IFG to... INFLUENCE WE HAVE MANY DIFFERENT MEMBERS IN SIZE AND SCOPE, BUT THEY ALL SHARE THE SAME VISION OF IMPROVING THE AWARENESS AND RECOGNITION OF THE RECEIVABLES FINANCE INDUSTRY WORLDWIDE. Our influence reaches far beyond our global membership IFG has members in over 60 countries, so its reach is already global in scale. IFG works with a wide range of like-minded partner bodies to connect more widely, to build relevant knowledge and expertise, and to maximise our ability to influence stakeholders and influencers to promote the industry. These partners include trade associations and media providers. Networking opportunities with influential factoring leaders and fellow international industry members At our Annual Meeting, General Managers Meetings and Regional Conferences, we bring together the most influential managers of the Receivables Finance Industry worldwide. Through our alliances with like-minded international and national associations such as the CFA in the USA, we give you access to some of their networking and learning opportunities. The EUF (EU Federation for Factoring and Commercial Finance) is a division of IFG in which all major European industry associations for Factoring come together to monitor the legal environment for the industry and send out key messages about the economic value of the Factoring Industry to all stakeholders. Use your membership to lobby and influence the future of the industry As a member of IFG you have direct access to the monitoring reports of the EUF, the industry statistics and most of all you can have a voice in lobby activities for our industry through your IFG membership. Member only access to data created by the industry for the industry Facts and figures to influence existing and potential clients, regulators and policy makers. Your IFG membership gives you access to country and legal reports, special news items, publications and presentations and industry research. Atlantic RMS counts IFG as an important part of its strategy to continue to service the needs of its international client base. Any person or organisation that is serious about International Commercial Finance should certainly consider being a member of IFG. IFG is a great for connecting with industry professionals from across the world with diverse experience knowledge and skills. Most importantly IFG provides a platform and access to solving international trade challenges from training, information support and risk. Richard Hawkins CEO Atlantic RMS LLC Take part. Join us and other like-minded organisations to network, educate and influence. www.ifgroup.com/join
Join us... BE PART OF THE ONLY GLOBAL TRADE ASSOCIATION FOR THE RECEIVABLES FINANCE INDUSTRY. Based in Belgium, IFG is structured in a way that is both globally oriented and regionally aligned. As a members association, IFG is governed by an Annual General Meeting of Shareholders who elect the Board of Directors, a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman. The daily operations are steered by the IFG Secretariat, operating from Brussels (Belgium). Committees elected from members support the Secretariat in the development of Legal Affairs, Education & Events, Cross-Border Business Solutions development and IT. A network of Regional Chapters (Central and Eastern Europe, Asia, MENA and Latin America) allows members to interact on local issues and opportunities, whilst the universal overview is co-ordinated through accessible international events, education and communication. For further information please visit: www.ifgroup.com I want to be part of IFG How do I become a member? The International Factors Group is an open association and welcomes members across the world. In order to maintain our high standards of reputation and service quality, there are certain minimum requirements for joining the IFG and new applicants have to be approved by the Group s Board of Directors. If your company wants to apply for membership, you can fill out one of the membership application forms from our website: www.ifgroup.com/membership/membership-types/ Send completed form to: email: sg@ifgroup.com fax: +32/2.772.64.19 Your application should be accompanied by a cover letter containing the following information: A description of the company and company strategy and of the services your company provides to the industry Description of ownership structure and major shareholders Full contact details Where available, the latest annual report, in English, preferably made in accordance with IFRS together with auditor s report. 14
Take part. Join us and other like-minded organisations to network, educate and influence. www.ifgroup.com/join
IFG MANIFESTO 1. We aim to create the international representative body for Factoring and Commercial Finance in both emerging and established markets worldwide. 2. Our global network facilitates trade, provides education, knowledge share and best practice nationally, regionally and internationally. 3. We connect service providers with members and align with like-minded organisations to facilitate broader industry reach. 4. We lobby on behalf of the industry we promote and represent the industry working closely with regulators and governments worldwide. International Factors Group Scrl Avenue Reine Astrid 452 1950 Kraainem Belgium Tel: +32 2-772-6969 Fax: +32 2-772-6419 Email: info@ifgroup.com Web: www.ifgroup.com Designed by resolveagency.com