Trade Finance Guide 2026

A definitive reference for modern trade finance

The Trade Finance Guide 2026, jointly produced by the International Trade and Forfaiting Association and Trade Treasury Payments, arrives at a moment when global trade is under pressure from geopolitical tension, supply chain disruption and rising operational risk. As the guide notes, the digitisation of trade has begun an unstoppable, if gradual, shift, supported by new legal frameworks such as the Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records. These developments are enabling the creation and use of electronic trade documents and the first examples of end to end digital processing of trade flows.

The guide sets out a clear and accessible map of the modern trade finance landscape. It explains how trade finance supports the physical movement of goods across borders, using the goods, receivables and cash generated from the trade as the principal security. It also reflects the growing role of non bank capital, private credit and institutional investors as trade finance continues to mature as an investable asset class.