Conference features first panel covering Japan, a look at the unprecedented times during the past six months,  and a Fireside Discussion with Lord Gavin Barwell

SFNet's Cross-Border Lending Summit - “This Is Not a Drill” – is returning live online event on September 15 and September 22, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ET each day. For the 9th year in a row, SFNet is bringing timely and provocative panels addressing issues that challenge asset-based lenders doing cross-border deals. So much has happened in just the last six months: Boris Johnson stepping down, Russia in Ukraine, potential food supply shortages, climate extremes. Companies now must reevaluate supply chains and vendors based in part of geopolitical risk. Not to mention an inflationary environment the likes of which we have not seen in years. In this time of rapid change, SFNet is gathering together industry experts to explore and illuminate the current landscape and what you should be thinking about in the months and years to come.

This two-day summit will kick off Thursday, September 15 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. ET with a Focus on Asia: Japan panel. This panel will be a detailed conversation on the considerations that should be examined with deals involving Japan, including Japanese legal considerations, the taking of security in Japan (and, as an alternative, a true sale transaction of accounts receivable), the enforcement of security and the exercise of remedies process in Japan. This will be the first time this conference covers Japan and it promises to be very informative. Panelists will include Koji Kawamura, partner, Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, Alister Bazaz, head of International ABL, Bank of America and Bill Brewer, partner, co-head of Corporate Lending, Winston & Strawn LLP.

“The main topics we will cover in our discussion are taking security interests over movables, receivables and bank account claims under the Japanese law, enforcement of security interests in Japan and how the security interests will be treated in the bankruptcy proceedings in Japan,” said Kawamura.

As the World Turns - Not Just in Time; Just in Case?, held 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ET will discuss the unprecedented times you and your clients are living in, from offshoring, onshoring, near-shoring, supply chain disruption and geopolitical risk

Panelists will include Sami Altaher, president, FGI, Scott Fuller, director, Valuations, Gordon Brothers and Robert Erfort, managing director, KPMG.

“The panel will be discussing what lenders need to think about regarding supply chains in light of chip, talent and energy shortages. Is near and offshoring the solution but how long will it take, will it solve the current challenges and at what cost,” said Erfort.

"During these unprecedented times of continuing disruption in supply chain and ongoing changes in the geopolitical landscape, many of our small and middle market borrowers are faced with unique challenges that are forcing us lenders to adapt and develop different strategies in order to support our clients as they grow their international footprint,” said Altaher. “I am looking forward to sharing my thoughts with my fellow panelists and discuss some case studies."  

Thursday, September 22 will be the second day of the Cross-Border Lending Summit. The Global ESG for the ABL Market - Why Should We Pay Attention? panel will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m. ET. The panel will address what ESG, climate change and net zero mean in cross-border financing opportunities and asks what is the business case for change?

Andrea Beirne, partner, KPMG LLP, will serve as moderator. Panelists include Vilas Kuchinad, head of Innovative Structuring, Global Sustainable Finance Group, Bank of America, Asit Sen, managing director, Global Sustainable Finance Group, Bank of America and Ana Carolina Oliveria, head of Sustainable Finance Americas, managing director, ING.

A Fireside Discussion with Lord Gavin Barwell, former Downing Street Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, Theresa May, will conclude the Summit from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ET. The dashboard for international risk and the impact on four decades of globalization iwill be discussed. Alister Bazaz, head of International ABL, Bank of America and Bill Brewer, Partner, co-head of Corporate Lending, Winston & Strawn LLP will serve as Moderators. Interested in attending? Register here. Please use #SFNetXB22 to share any social media updates.