Heaviest Impact of the Credit Crisis yet to Come

Amsterdam, The Netherlands (ots/PRNewswire) -

- Impact Spreading Outside of Financial Services Sector Globally

Credit crisis related factors such as tight credit and increased
payment defaults are expected to result in slower growth and growing
business defaults over the remainder of 2008 and into 2009. A 14
country survey, covering businesses in North America, Europe and
Australia, sponsored by Atradius found that a much more significant
impact is expected in 2008 than was felt in 2007. Some of the
survey's findings include:

- Approximately 65% of respondents are expecting some bank
failures as a result of the credit crisis.

- Direct exposure to sub-prime lending is higher in Europe (14%
of respondents) than in the US (9%).

- About 31% of respondents say they have indirect exposure to
sub-prime lending with exposure highest in Mexico (51%) and the
United States (46%).

- Larger companies are more frequently impacted by the credit
crisis than smaller companies.

- Outside of the US and Mexico, companies in Italy (58%), the UK
(46%), Spain (44%), and Australia/New Zealand (43%) have expressed
the highest rates of impact from the credit crisis.

- Swedish respondents expressed a very low rate of impact (7%)
from the credit crisis.

- 69% of companies in Mexico have already experienced tightening
credit with Italy and Spain also experiencing a high rate of
tightening. Sweden (less than 20%), the Netherlands and Denmark (less
than 30%) have experienced the lowest rates of tightening.

- By industry, the energy sector has experienced the most
tightening and the agriculture industry the least.

- Businesses in the energy sector have been impacted by the
credit crisis more than any other industry.

- The Building Supply & Construction, Industrial & Manufacturing
and Consumer Goods industries are expected to suffer the most over
the next twelve months.

- Only about 38% of companies surveyed have adjusted their credit
extension policies in response to the changing business climate.

Companies that securitize their receivables have already felt the
pinch. Fewer buyers for and plummeting valuations on collateralized
debt obligations have resulted in more expensive terms for financing
growth through receivables securitization. Additionally, in countries
where the real estate and financial sectors have been key
contributors to economic growth, or where trading with the US is
important, the past and expected future impacts are amplified. The
survey, which looks at a broad range of industries, found that the
energy and basic materials industries have been impacted the hardest
thus far.

Peter Ingenlath, Vice Chairman of the Atradius Management Board
commented; "While it seems natural to adjust your credit extension
policies in the face a deteriorating credit environment, there is no
need to tighten credit policies if your receivables are sufficiently
protected, for example by a credit insurance policy."

The survey highlights industries and countries for which risks
associated with the credit crisis may be more prominent as well as
some of the concerns about the impact the credit crisis will have on
their businesses. An increase in payment defaults (71% of
respondents) was the biggest concern of companies surveyed followed
by restrictions in sales growth (67%) and increased capital costs
(65%).

Ingenlath concluded; "In 2008 we expect economic growth to slow
globally and in some markets to decline as a result of slowing
consumer spending, reduced production, inflationary pressures,
rapidly rising energy costs and the weak USD and Sterling. Awareness
of the potential risks that can damage your business is essential to
maintaining a healthy company. The credit crisis is highlighting the
importance of protecting the most important organ of financial
fitness, your cash flow. Atradius research can help support decision
makers in many countries and trade sectors."

About the Atradius Credit Crisis Survey

The Atradius Credit Crisis Survey assessed the opinions of 2500
business professionals in 14 countries regarding their company's
experiences and expectations of the impact of the credit crisis. More
information about the survey results is available at
www.atradius.com.

About Atradius

The Atradius Group provides trade credit insurance, surety and
collections services worldwide, and has a presence in 40 countries.
Its products and services aim to reduce its customers' exposure to
buyers who fail to pay for the products and services they purchase.
With total revenues of approximately EUR 1.8 billion and a 31% share
of the global trade credit insurance market, its products contribute
to the growth of companies throughout the world by protecting them
from payment risks associated with selling products and services on
credit. With 160 offices, it has access to credit information on 52
million companies worldwide and makes more than 22,000 trade credit
limit decisions daily.

For information about Atradius products and services available in
your country, visit http://www.atradius.com.

ots Originaltext: Atradius N.V.
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Further information: Atradius Corporate Communications, John
Blackwell, Tel.: +31-20-553-2003, E-mail: john.blackwell@atradius.com