News and Press Release

The Trade Finance Distribution Initiative has welcomed US-based B2B trade and supply chain marketplace Kountable to the fold of banks, non-bank originators, asset managers and service providers.

The TFD Initiative which boasts of nearly 70 global members is working to establish trade finance as an investable asset class for capital market firms.

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Kountable streamlines and accelerates business between capable small and medium enterprise (SME) traders and their corporate suppliers and customers. The Kountable network supports trade flows, unlocks liquidity and improves pricing, speed and visibility, providing digital tools for business intelligence, governance and accountability across these value chains.

“Fortune 1000 buyers procure an estimated 30% of their inputs from SME suppliers, representing trillions in spend globally. Many of these supply chains are in mission critical areas like food, energy, healthcare and IT.” says Chris Hale, Founder and CEO, Kountable. “The SME trade finance gap has persistently been north of $1T and the pandemic, increased regulation and supply chain re-engineering have compounded the problem to an estimated $3.5T.  Kountable exists to deliver technology to address this market failure and help SMEs serve their global enterprise customers."

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The TFD Initiative brings together stakeholders committed to increasing the level of transparency in trade finance assets and enabling risk distribution through technology-based market practices.

“Kountable illustrates how SME financing can be addressed. By matching investor preferences to SME traders’ business opportunities, Kountable aims to secure the lowest cost of capital for SMEs”, says Andre Casterman, CEO, TFD Initiative. “Kountable’s mission is well aligned with TFD Initiative’s charter which aims to bring banking and institutional liquidity closer to those who need it. We are delighted to welcome Kountable as a new member of TFD Initiative.”

The TFD Initiative continues to expand its membership of elite trade finance businesses and will further its efforts of promoting the tech-backed originate-and-distribute model at its inaugural flagship Trade Finance Investor Day scheduled for mid-October this year in the UK.

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About the TFD Initiative

TFD Initiative is establishing trade finance as an investable asset class for capital market firms and brings together stakeholders committed to increasing the level of automation and transparency in trade asset and risk distribution with technology-based market practices.

The ITFA Fintech Initiatives aim to address two market-level ambitions: DNI Initiative focuses on digitising trade documents and negotiable instruments in corporate-to-bank relationships, whilst TFD Initiative transforms trade finance as a digitally investable asset class for banks, credit insurers and institutional investors. Our advocacy task force (TERA) aims to promote the integration of digital options such as MLETR-based e-originals within national laws.

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Media Contact

Newsletter@tradefinancedistribution.com

https://www.tradefinancedistribution.com/

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