The 2023 Collateral Crisis

Once again, the global landscape is fraught with crises affecting the economy and geopolitics. The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, supported by China and to some extent India, has led to widespread repercussions. Many Western nations are grappling with an energy crisis, soaring interest rates, credit constraints, inflationary pressures, and, in several instances, a food shortage. Adding to these challenges is the emergence of a “Collateral Crisis.” In the year 2023, it is disconcerting to witness such widespread distress, prompting calls for governments to bear the brunt of their populations’ discontent.

Root Causes and Concerns

For instance, the Eurozone recently recorded a historic high in core inflation at 5.6% (8.7% in Germany). This comes despite earlier assurances from Christine Lagarde, the president of the European Central Bank, who had predicted a decrease in inflation in 2022 and minimal increases in 2020. Consequently, bond yields have risen along with borrowing costs. In the Collateral Transfer market, this economic climate is reshaping perspectives on where to allocate funds.

Companies providing Bank Guarantees as collateral for others to secure loans and lines of credit are undergoing a significant shift in 2023. Central banks’ quantitative tightening has led domestic and international banks and financial institutions to reduce the size of their loan portfolios, making new credit facilities scarce. For those fortunate enough to secure credit, the central bank’s policy of increasing interest rates to combat inflation has driven up borrowing costs.

This surge in demand for collateral has outpaced the ability of provider companies to meet it. Many collateral providers are exploring avenues outside collateral transfer to deploy their assets more profitably. This has intensified the demand for collateral, driving up the leasing costs of Bank Guarantees to levels reminiscent of the financial crisis of 2007-2009.

Implications for Redeure

Despite these challenges, Redeure, a leading player in the collateral transfer market, continues to facilitate access to loans and lines of credit at highly competitive rates. Redeure, with over a decade of experience, maintains a database of collateral providers who have kept their prices stable while still meeting the collateral needs of companies seeking loans and credit lines.

Furthermore, some companies are encountering rejections from banks when presenting credit facility applications with Demand Bank Guarantees as collateral due to the reduction in bank loan portfolios. Redeure, foreseeing this potential issue, has a database of third-party lenders ready to step in for any bank unwilling to lend against a Demand Bank Guarantee.

The Future of Lending

Amidst the geopolitical and economic uncertainties, especially in Europe, central bank policies of raising interest rates and quantitative easing are struggling to rein in inflation. Central banks might continue increasing interest rates, further straining collateral availability and making it tougher for companies to access loans and credit lines in the collateral transfer market.

However, amid these challenges, Redeure remains capable of providing access to loans and credit lines at costs that do not adversely impact their clients, demonstrating resilience in a complex economic environment.