ICS and ETR Digital partner to tackle UK trade finance gap - Trade Treasury Payments

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ICS and ETR Digital partner to tackle UK trade finance gap

Investec Capital Solutions (ICS) has entered into a collaboration with ETR Digital to explore the use of digital financial instruments to improve working capital access for UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The initiative focuses on addressing structural inefficiencies within trade finance, particularly for firm that are facing constrained liquidity. ICS is assessing how to integrate digital negotiable instruments (DNIs) alongside existing financing products. 

As part of the initiative, ICS and ETR Digital are also promoting the use of the iC4DTI Cash Conversion Cycle Calculator, a publicly accessible tool developed to help firms assess their working capital positions. By inputting basic financial data (such as annual turnover and accounts payable) users receive a performance report benchmarked against industry norms.

Rob Harris, Head of Operations and Technology at ICS, said, “Investec Capital Solutions is proud to be at the forefront of exploring digital solutions that make trade finance more accessible and flexible for businesses. Tools such as the iC4DTI Cash Conversion Cycle Calculator, can offer finance teams a practical and immediate way to unlock working capital improvements.”

ETR Digital, a provider of financial technology infrastructure, is contributing technical expertise on the deployment of digital instruments and data solutions.

Dominic Broom, CEO of ETR Digital, said, “We’re thrilled to be assisting ICS, a business that shares our commitment to providing innovative solutions to SMEs. By harnessing the power of digital negotiable instruments and business oriented tools like the iC4DTI Cash Conversion Cycle Calculator, we’re enabling businesses to achieve the financial flexibility they need to scale and grow.”

Both ICS and ETR Digital are working to evaluate the commercial viability and scalability of digital tools in the SME financing space.

ICS is a subsidiary of Investec Bank plc, a UK corporate and investment bank rated A1 by Moody’s and A- by Fitch Ratings. ETR Digital provides digital infrastructure solutions for financial operations and liquidity management.