Credit is essential for business growth and operations, but managing and protecting it, especially in international debt collection can present significant challenges. For companies — small, medium and large — the legal expenses and time frame surrounding debt collection can be prohibitively exclusionary. “Even when you’re entirely in the right, the cost of protecting your credit can be out of reach,” says Paolo Colombari, CEO of Invenium Legaltech. “Credit management, especially on a global scale, is inherently complex and being cut away from help makes it exponentially harder.” Invenium Legaltech helps tackle these challenges by making specialized legal services accessible and affordable for every company, whether it is small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can’t afford expensive services or large entities that lack the expertise. The company specializes in international credit management and healthcare credits, using a powerful combination of human expertise and digitalization. This integration enables it to offer services that transcend borders, simplifying and streamlining international credit management for its clients. A cornerstone of Invenium Legaltech’s approach is its focus on alternative dispute resolution (ADR). By prioritizing settlements over litigation, the company establishes a collaborative environment where all parties can benefit, effectively reducing the need for costly and time-consuming legal disputes. Recently, the ADR approach worked wonders for a Swiss luxury goods business that used Invenium Legaltech’s service to recover a small credit in Mexico. This result would have been impractical through the traditional litigation approach. However, the company’s help made the difference. It dedicated five months of hard work to investigating, conducting extrajudicial negotiations and providing tailored solutions with installment plans and settlements. The plan worked, and they could recover the entire debt successfully without a title or formal ruling.
In a world where trade credit risks significantly impact a business’s financial health, Atradius is a trusted partner, empowering them with the necessary tools to make well-informed decisions and maintain a healthy cash flow. By customising its insurance policies to meet each firm's unique needs, the company ensures that clients can safeguard their operations and focus on growth, free from concerns about financial setbacks. Since its inception in 1925, Atradius has cultivated a remarkable legacy by offering tailored credit management solutions to help clients navigate evolving economic conditions. This dedication is reflected in the company’s consistent growth and strong financial ratings. With a customer retention rate of 95 per cent and a team of over 3,500 employees spread across over 50 countries, Atradius has firmly established itself as a trusted partner in global commerce. Comprehensive Credit Risk Insurance and Debt Collection Services Its offerings span various aspects of credit risk management, enabling clients to trade while expanding into new markets and exploring new products. This includes credit insurance, a critical tool for businesses seeking to mitigate the risk of unpaid invoices. By providing a comprehensive credit insurance policy—Modula, Atradius safeguards its clients from the financial burden of bad debts, which is associated with several unforeseen events like bankruptcy and political risks. This policy utilises a modular approach to customise insurance coverage based on customer risk profiles, market exposure, and other relevant factors. This ensures that clients are protected against potential financial losses while maintaining the flexibility to expand into new markets or engage with a diverse range of customers. By integrating this policy with its easy-to-use online system called Atradius Atrium, the company enhances transparency and efficiency, allowing businesses to manage and track their coverage easily, clearly, and consistently.
Every business eventually encounters the challenge of unpaid invoices, regardless of how well it is managed. When these debts extend across international borders, the complexities increase significantly due to language barriers, varying legal frameworks, and cultural differences. As a result, many businesses choose to write off these outstanding payments, perceiving the recovery process as overly complicated and costly. TCM Group, a global leader in international debt recovery services, is redefining this approach. By leveraging its global reach and local expertise, the company has developed a sophisticated system that enables businesses to recover outstanding debts efficiently, professionally, and with integrity. Debt collection is more than sending reminders and making phone calls; it requires understanding the laws, customs, and business etiquette of the country where the debtor is based. What works in one region might be completely ineffective—or even illegal—in another. TCM Group has tackled this challenge head-on by building an alliance of local debt collection agencies and specialised law firms, all carefully selected for their expertise and ethical standards. Rather than operating from a single headquarters and managing foreign legal complexities remotely, TCM Group ensures that professionals with deep expertise in local regulations and business culture handle each debt. This localised strategy significantly increases success rates, as debtors respond positively to familiar institutions that understand their environment. One of TCM Group's key differentiators is its commitment to ethical collections. Rather than resorting to aggressive tactics that could harm a business’s reputation, the company focuses on respectful and professional communication. This approach ensures businesses can maintain positive client relationships even after resolving outstanding debts. The firm also operates on a “No Win, No Fee” basis, meaning clients only pay if the firm successfully recovers their funds. This model aligns the TCM Group's success with its clients’ interests, reinforcing trust and transparency. A Global Network That Delivers Results In today’s interconnected economy, businesses are no longer limited by borders. With that expansion comes the challenge of ensuring financial security across different regions. TCM Group’s global network is built to address this challenge. With dedicated partners in 167 countries, the company ensures that no matter where a debtor is located, an experienced professional understands how to approach the situation effectively. The effectiveness of this network goes beyond just knowing the laws; it’s about learning how to engage with debtors in a way that produces results. Local agents speak the language and understand the business culture, allowing them to navigate sensitive situations with finesse that an outsider couldn’t achieve. This approach drastically improves collection rates while preserving client relationships.
Kim Siren, Head of Fraud Management, OP Financial Group
Ozgur Koc, Head of Digital Banking & Transformation, Credit Europe Bank N.V
Yvan Roduit, Head Investment Advisory, Raiffeisen
Stefan Rauch, Head of Compliance, VP Bank AG
Alexandre Jourdan, M&A Director, Baird
Yaroslav Sovgyra, Head of Credit Risk (ESG and Portfolio Management), Lloyds Banking Group
Jason Shiu, Compliance Manager, Vanguard
Automated communication tools, including chatbots, streamline interactions between debt collectors and debtors.
The European economy is continually evolving, presenting new challenges for businesses engaged in trade.
Banking on Change: Europe’s Digital Leap in Financial Services
The financial services sector in Europe is undergoing a significant transformation, one that is reshaping how transactions are conducted and how individuals and businesses interact with their finances. At the core of this change are digitalisation, regulatory advancements and shifting consumer expectations, all driving innovations in banking, fintech and investment services. The journey begins with fintech. What was once a disruptive force is now a crucial part of the financial ecosystem. Digital banking, blockchain and AI-powered financial management are enabling consumers to take control of their finances like never before. These technologies are streamlining services, improving accessibility and enhancing security, making financial management more efficient and user-friendly across the continent. In response, banking services are rapidly evolving to embrace these new technologies. The rise of neobanks and digital-first financial institutions is challenging traditional banking models, offering customers more flexibility and control over their financial activities. Open banking initiatives are also playing a key role in this shift. By allowing seamless integration between financial service providers, open banking is fostering transparency, increasing competition and enhancing customer experiences. Additionally, AI-driven tools for risk assessment and fraud detection are improving financial security, ensuring safer transactions for both individuals and businesses. As digital finance continues to gain momentum, investment services are evolving to meet new market demands. Decentralised finance (DeFi), ESG investing and AI-driven wealth management are reshaping how investors approach their portfolios. These innovations are democratising access to financial markets and also encouraging more sustainable and ethical investing practices, allowing investors to align their financial goals with broader societal values. The financial services landscape in Europe is changing fast, and those who embrace digital transformation, enhance security measures and offer innovative investment solutions are the ones who will thrive. This digital revolution is not just about convenience; it is about creating a more accessible, secure and sustainable financial future for all. This edition features the expert perspectives of Fabiana Fedeli, Chief Investment Officer Equities, Multi Asset and Sustainability, M&G Investments, and Maria Azinhal, Compliance Deputy Manager, Caixa Geral de Depósitos. We hope the insights from industry leaders featured in this edition will assist you in making informed decisions for your businesses.