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To speed up application processes, UKEF delegated greater authority to five of the largest commercial...

Conclusion
To speed up application processes, UKEF delegated greater authority to five of the largest commercial banks who can apply for some of UKEF’s products through an online portal and can get immediate cover, and UKEF streamlined its eligibility criteria for applicants. In 2019–20, 389 applications were made through the portal, of which 62% were eligible for immediate cover using the online process. The digital process is quicker, but when applications do not meet the eligibility criteria UKEF reverts to a manual process, which takes on average 49 days.53
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government Not Addressed
6.1 The government agrees with this recommendation. Target implementation date: September 2021 6.2 Work is already underway to expand the number of banks operating under the delegated approach, and as soon as the General Export Facility (GEF) product is available, we will work to sign up new institutions as quickly as possible. While we are open to applications from any bank to participate in the GEF scheme, we have begun engaging with a number of banks that currently use trade finance schemes on a non- delegated basis. Our first new partners should be in place shortly, and we will continue to add to them on an ongoing basis. 6.3 UKEF is also reaching out to other funders, including FinTechs, to understand how its products could be adapted to work for their exporting customers. These discussions are all at an early stage and we expect it to take several months to resolve documentation and for partners to take the UKEF scheme through their own governance.
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age 5.6 yrs
Report published 28 Oct 2020